Chapter 12: Central Office Career Choices for Women

A scarcity of literature and research exists regarding the who, what, when, where, and how of central office personnel in the educational systems of the United States. Yet, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics (May, 1995) over 31,000 positions currently comprise some aspect of central office operations other than the superintendent. According to Forsyth (2003), “Central administration in most districts now covers curriculum and staff development, student testing and assessment, school board-related functions, state and federal relations, legal services, supervision of maintenance and operations, transportation, food operations and other support services.” For example, in a recent administrative job bulletin these titles appeared among those in the category of “Central Office Vacancies”: Technology Coordinator, Business Manager, Energy Manager, Administrator for Guidance and Counseling, Executive Director of Secondary Education, Alternative Education Program Administrator, Chief of Staff, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Head Football Coach/Athletic Coordinator, Payroll Supervisor, Hearing Officer and Executive Director of Planning, Evaluation and Information Services. Some of the positions listed deal with specific academic areas such as music, social studies or English; others focused on specific services to students such as Guidance and Counseling or Special Education, or on organizational operations including Curriculum and Instruction and Maintenance and Transportation. Finally, there were those central office entities that had a responsibility to coordinate with external agencies and activities such as the tax office and community education.