School Superintendents Go Back to School at WSU

PULLMAN, Wash.— In Ellensburg, the school system is scrambling to keep ahead of growth as the population spills over the mountains from Seattle. Eight-five miles to the east, in Warden, Spanish is the dominant language spoken in the halls of antiquated school buildings. Yet another 85 miles east, Cheney school officials juggle transportation needs in their 380-square-mile district and feel pressure to offer big-city educational services like those of neighboring Spokane.

Washington’s school superintendents face many different challenges. Every summer a group of them shows up at Washington State University’s College of Education, looking not only for solutions, but for the opportunity to network with colleagues and refine their thinking. They join other educators attending a two-week institute that is a requirement of earning an Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) degree.

“This program allows me access to research, and access to a very talented group of people who do the same job I do,” said Larry Keller, superintendent of the Pateros and Mansfield school districts. “I see things from a much broader perspective.”

They learn from each other and from the WSU professors, many of whom have been school administrators, “There’s strength in the faculty,” said Cheney Superintendent Mike Dunn. “They’ve been there and done that.”

Students in the four-year Ed.D. program attend two summer institutes.

The institute began three years ago, when the program went statewide—meaning graduate students are allowed to take courses at any of WSU’s campuses: Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities or Vancouver. Education professionals who earn a superintendent’s certificate from WSU can apply credits from that two-year program toward the Ed.D.. Most who study for the doctorate have earned a certificate.

The summer institute’s 25 participants represent two classes, or cohorts, that started in different years. Sandra Sheldon, superintendent of the Warden School District, appreciates going through the program with a “fantastic” group of colleagues. “I’m able to get to know people from around the state who are in the same position, who are able to commiserate. It’s much better to go through as a cohort, rather than going through by yourself.”

Sheldon enjoys the policy aspects of her job, which is a good thing. Superintendents must be savvy about communicating with legislators, taxpayers and teachers’ unions. They speak in acronyms, none being more significant these days than the high-stakes required tests known as WASL (Washington Assessment of Student Learning).

Superintendents must be good with math. Numbers perch on the tips of their tongues. For Sheldon, those include the fact that 78 percent of Warden’s students fall below the poverty line, and the last school construction bond vote got 57.2 percent of the vote—less than the supermajority needed to pass.  Keller, of Pateros/Mansfield, knows that 40 percent of his students are Hispanic, meaning there are lots of English language learners.

Pete Lewis, head of the Clarkston School District, knows that 17 percent of his district’s students qualify for special education services, though he only has the budget to provide those services for 12.7 percent of them. On the bright side, one of his city’s biggest employers and taxpayers just got a $90 million contract.

The state has 295 school districts. No doubt every superintendent knows that there are at least 250 state and federal requirements, from math tutors to accounting systems, that come with no funding attached.

Dealing with money and management issues may not be exciting, but those drawn to the job of superintendent see it as necessary.

“It really is about serving children,” Cheney’s Mike Dunn said in explaining his career path. “Probably the best job I ever had was being a teacher, but you get to the point where you have the opportunity to help more kids.”

The 2007 summer institute continues through July 20. For further information, contact Gail Furman in the Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling Psychology, (509) 335-8412 or gfurman@wsu.edu; or Julie Titone, (509) 335-6850 or jtitone@wsu.edu.

John Glenewinkel, superintendent in the Ellensburg School District, is among 25 graduate students attending the summer institute that is part of the WSU doctor of education program.