Chapter 12: The Superintendency: The Cost of Making a Difference — The Personal Toll

This chapter originated as part of a research study, The Impact of the Office of Superintendent of Schools on the Personal Lives of Superintendents (Parsons, 2016). Parsons used a qualitative case-study methodology involving six participant superintendents in semi-structured interviews, two from each of western, Atlantic, and northern Canada. The findings revealed work lives significantly impacted personal and family life. Regardless of location or size of school district, all participants described an all-consuming work life: rampant with political agendas, conflict, public scrutiny, unreasonable expectations, and one where technology has left superintendents more exposed to the whims of the disenfranchised. They were clearly hindered across all selected jurisdictions by troublesome and disruptive elements present in their work role. The evidence is so compelling it calls into question the current system of elected school board governance and forces consideration of how the system can better support school superintendents. This chapter specifically explores the personal cost to superintendents who must navigate within this hindered system and the prevalence of the personal toll on superintendents across different jurisdictions. The chapter concludes with some advice to superintendents and with research findings.