For many educators, becoming an administrator or school superintendent is a career goal. As a leadership position, however, a superintendent role requires more than teaching ability. It also requires negotiation skills, human resources (HR) competency, and other administrative skills to direct your district effectively. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers a Superintendent Licensure Preparation program for aspiring superintendents. Here, we explore key superintendent skills and how you can develop these through our program.
Key Takeaways
- School superintendents are responsible for overseeing a school district.
- Negotiation skills are essential to satisfy the conflicting needs of students, families, faculty, support staff, taxpayers, and state and federal compliance.
- Human resources competency is required to lead your staff effectively through wise hiring, policymaking, evaluations, discipline, and more.
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota prepares students for successful school superintendent careers through our Superintendent Licensure Preparation program.
What Does it Take to Be a School Superintendent?
A school superintendent fills the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) role for their school district. They make high-level decisions about spending, educational programs, staffing, and more that impact schools across a city or region. Key duties include:
- District oversight
- Financial management
- Policymaking
- Public appearances
- State and federal reporting
Becoming a superintendent requires meeting extensive qualifications. You need a master’s degree in education and several years of experience in the classroom. You must then earn additional credits in school administration and gain some leadership experience as an assistant principal, then a school principal. Finally, you must pass the certification exam to earn administrative licensure. Only then can you qualify for a job as a school superintendent.
Negotiations Expertise
One of the most important skills for school superintendents is negotiation. As a superintendent, you’ll have a responsibility toward much more than a classroom. Students, families, instructional and support staff, administrators, and taxpayers will all look to you to deliver on their expectations.
As a superintendent, part of your job will be to satisfy each group. This can be challenging when they all have different needs and desires that often conflict with one another. For example, taxpayers want you to keep taxes low. Students and families, meanwhile, want high-quality, well-funded education and sports programs. These interests are at direct odds.
Expert negotiation is essential to navigating these conflicting demands. The most capable school superintendents can understand each party’s needs, bargain effectively, and find paths of compromise that leave everybody satisfied.
Human Resources Leadership
Not only are school superintendents negotiators, but they are also leaders. They govern a school district’s entire staff, including teachers, principals, support staff, administrators, and more. A school district is only as good as the sum of its staff. It is your job to keep all these parts coordinated. Your human resources responsibilities may include:
- Making hiring decisions
- Setting salary schedules and benefits
- Supporting continued development
- Enforcing disciplinary measures
- Maintaining a safe working environment
- Advocating for diversity and inclusion
- Evaluating staff performance
- Making and enforcing procedures
- Ensuring legal compliance
- Responding to emergent crises
To succeed, you will need a robust foundation in human resources practices. These skills will equip you to handle the duties of a school superintendent effectively and ethically.
How to Seek an Educational Leadership Role
If you aspire to becoming a school superintendent, it helps to start with a strong educational foundation. The Superintendent Licensure program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is tailored for experienced teachers who are seeking leadership roles. Its courses focus on coaching, negotiation strategies, human resources management, cultural awareness, and more, to help you become a thoughtful and effective administrator.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a Lasallian Catholic institution with a commitment to Christian values and ethics. We prepare students to apply ethical, Christ-centered thinking to everything they do, from everyday life to their careers, as upstanding examples to their communities.
Develop Your School Superintendent Skills at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Launch your school superintendent career with the Superintendent Licensure program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Our online program gives you the flexibility to study while fulfilling your duties as a teacher. Financial aid opportunities are available for eligible students. To learn more about superintendent requirements, request more info or apply now for admission.
Superintendent Skills and Requirements FAQ
What qualifications are required to be a superintendent in MN?
To become a superintendent in MN, you must:
- Submit evidence of three years of successful classroom teaching experience.
- Complete a total of 60 credits beyond your bachelor’s in an approved administrative preparation program.
- Complete a field experience of at least 320 hours.
- Be recommended for licensure by a Minnesota Board of School Administrators-approved Minnesota college or university.
How can candidates demonstrate readiness for the superintendent role?
You can show your readiness by demonstrating your negotiation and human resource competencies as an assistant principal, then as a school principal.
Is an Ed.S. or doctorate required for superintendents in MN?
No, an Ed.S. or doctorate is not strictly required for superintendents in MN. However, an advanced, state-approved 60-credit administrative program is.
