In any of the more than 1,000 school districts in California, one person shoulders the primary responsibility for leading the learning: the superintendent. These educators have to provide the leadership to guide schools in providing a quality education to all students. Corona-Norco USD counts itself fortunate to have one of the best district leaders in Superintendent Kent Bechler, ACSA’s 2012 Superintendent of the Year.
Superintendents are the leaders of leaders. Whether at the county or district level, these educational leaders are ultimately responsible for the success of the students they serve. Every element of public education – from budgets to facilities to instruction – are under their authority, so they must be familiar with every component of a school system. In fact, many legislators and policymakers depend on superintendents to share their expertise and help shape the direction public education takes. But superintendents are more than just managers; most have worked their way up through the ranks, having begun as teachers, so they have an intimate awareness of the end goal: to ensure all students have the opportunity to excel.