New Maryland Superintendent Meetings

Supporting the success of recently hired superintendents

The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM) is the statewide professional organization for school district superintendents. Capacity-building support was requested by PSSAM from the Region 4 Comprehensive Center to design and implement research-informed professional learning experiences to foster the success of newly hired Maryland superintendents.

The Need

On average, superintendent turnover rate is approximately 14-16 percent and the average tenure for a superintendent is 5-6 years (AASA, 2006). The turnover rate has increased post pandemic to approximately 25 percent (Morton and Valley, 2022).
Approximately 37 percent of the 500 largest school districts have experienced leadership turnover since March 2020 (ILO Group, January 2022). In Maryland, approximately 40 percent of superintendents were hired during the 2022-2023 school year.
A new law in Maryland, Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, places increased accountability and specific requirements for the professional growth of superintendents.

The Learning Plan

New Maryland Superintendent Meetings are designed to support effective entry and success in the superintendency. The convenings establish a collegial learning network, prepare leaders to proactively address the nuances of Maryland district leadership, and share effective practices for navigating the superintendency. Each session provides the opportunity for participants to engage in collective problem-solving around real scenarios, reflect on lessons learned, ask questions, and engage with current and former superintendents. The learning plan consists of three sessions.

Session 1

Topic	Outcome
	Participants will
Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM)	discuss the purpose, power, and partnership of PSSAM.
Maryland 101	discuss the nuances of Maryland school district leadership and review who to know, key dates, events, resources, and key legislation (Blueprint for Maryland’s Future).
Lessons Learned from Current Superintendents and Chief Executive Officers	discuss effective strategies for building and sustaining positive school board relationships.
Board Relationships	discuss effective strategies for building and sustaining positive school board relationships.

Session 2

Topic	Outcome
	Participants will
Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM)	review and discuss the by-laws for PSSAM.
Maryland Open Meetings Act Requirements	discuss requirements and respond to scenarios related to the Maryland Open Meetings Act.
External Factors That Impact Funding and Budgeting	discuss budget timelines, fund balance, process for public input on budgets, impact of enrollment on budgets, and impact of “hold harmless” from the last two school years.
Resources	review and discuss resources that are available for superintendents from the following organizations: Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE); ASA, The School Superintendents Association; Maryland Negotiation Service (MNS); and Maryland Association of School Business Officials (ASBO).

Session 3

Topic	Outcome
	Participants will
Training for School Boards	review and discuss training provided by the Maryland Association for Boards of Education (MABE) for school board members.
Establishing and Sustaining Positive Board Relationships	discuss effective strategies for working with boards of education. There will be a focus on: Collaborating with the board president. Establishing norms and protocols. Communicating emergencies (bus accidents, data breaches, crime, etc.) to the board. Managing power dynamics – What to do when a board member(s) usurps the authority of the superintendent? Navigating board votes.
Maryland Law	learn the nuances of how laws are established in Maryland. There will be a focus on: What should you expect from elected officials? When and how to take action on a bill? When do you know that a bill will become a law?
Navigating the Political Landscape	explore strategies to successfully support navigating the political landscape. There will be a focus on: Establishing relationships with elected officials (County Executive / Commissioner, Delegates, Senators, etc.). Managing political influences on decision making. Anticipating and addressing political issues that may arise.