Fall 2022

A PUBLICATION OF THE NEBRASKA COUNCIL OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS

ROOTED IN ACADEMICS GROWN FOR SUCCESS Fall 2022

www.NCSA.org

We’re showcasing the transformational power of Nebraska’s public education.

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C ONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS New venue, new energy makes Administrators’ Days 2022 one to remember

by Tyler Dahlgren ........................................................................................................ 4 After a two-year pause, the NCSA/NDE Advocacy Team makes its return to Capitol Hill

by Tyler Dahlgren......................................................................................................... 8 Rooted in Your Purpose

by Dr. Melissa Poloncic............................................................................................. 11 Rooted in Academics. Grown for Success: NCSA helps launch positive messaging campaign geared toward public education

by Tyler Dahlgren........................................................................................................ 12 Dr. Doug Christensen reflects on a remarkable career and a lasting legacy 60 years in the making

by Tyler Dahlgren........................................................................................................ 14 NCSA joins Commissioner on tour of Boys Town for an up-close look at Safe2Help Nebraska hotline

by Tyler Dahlgren........................................................................................................ 18 Superintendent Turnover

by Dr. Michael Sieh & Dr. Jerry Beach................................................................. 20 Research for the Real World: A National Trend Study on Rural School Principal Burnout and Mobility

by Dr. Jiangang Xia and Sam Butler.................................................................... 24 Calendar of Events................................................................................................... 26 Sponsorship.................................................................................................................27

NCSA MISSION The mission of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA) is to be an effective leader for quality education and to enhance the professionalism of its members. NCSA Today is a benefit of membership in the Nebraska Council of School Administrators, 455 South 11th Street, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68508.

Telephone 402.476.8055 or 800.793.6272. Fax 402.476.7740.

Annual membership dues are $335 (active members), $125 (associate members), or $50 (student members). NCSA Today is published quarterly. Send address changes to NCSA, Membership, 455 South 11th Street, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68508. Copyright ©2019 by NCSA. All rights reserved.

NCSA EXECUTIVE BOARD 2022-2023 Chair – Kevin Wingard Vice Chair – Patrick Moore Immed. Past Chair – Brad Jacobsen NASA Representatives President – Dr. Melissa Poloncic President Elect – Dr. Dan Schnoes Past President – Kevin Wingard NASBO Representatives President – Jeremy Knajdl President Elect – Dr. Bill Robinson Past President – Dr. Liz Standish NAESP Representatives President – Josie Floyd President Elect – Pam Lowndes Past President – Erin Gonzalez NASES Representatives President – Misty Beair President Elect – Betsy Skelcher Past President – McKayla LaBorde NSASSP Representatives President – Kenny Loosvelt President Elect – Nate Seggerman Past President – Patrick Moore

NCSA STAFF Dr. Michael S. Dulaney Executive Director/Lobbyist Dr. Dan E. Ernst Associate Executive Director/Lobbyist Amy Poggenklass Finance and Membership Director Megan Hillabrand Professional Development Manager Tyler Dahlgren Communications Manager Jen Sylvester Executive Administrative Assistant Brenda Petsch Administrative Assistant The opinions expressed in NCSA Today or by its authors do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators.

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AD MI N I S T RA TO R S ' D AY S

New venue, new energy makes Administrators’ Days 2022 one to remember

By Tyler Dahlgren, Communications Manager

Nebraska’s premiere conference for school administrators moved across Talmadge Street this year to Kearney’s brand new and state-of-the-art Younes Conference Center North, a grandiose venue attached to the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

NCSA Administrators’ Days brought a jolt of energy and well over 1,000 school leaders to its sparkling new digs on July 28-29th, where members heard from nationally-renowned keynotes and collaborated in, and between, more than 80 select-a-sessions. The new venue received rave reviews from attendees.“Wow, what an honor,” Friday keynote speaker Sam Glenn said of being at Administrators’ Days. “It was beautiful. Unbelievable sound, audience, and facility.

Education Committee and research analyst Nicole Barrett; Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson and his Director of Communications, Suzanne Gage; Foresight Law+Policy Policy Advisor Alex Perry (who stepped in for Reg Leichty to give Friday’s federal legislative update); Nebraska Loves Public Schools Director Sally Nellson and members of her team; and several members from the Nebraska State Board of Education. The NCSA Ambassadors (Dr. Keith Rohwer, Dr. Cinde Wendell and Kyle McGowan) were on hand spreading the good news as they always do. Commissioner of Education Dr. Matt Blomstedt addressed the crowd during Wednesday’s NDE Days as well.

Best-selling author and CEO Coach Mike Maddock and Alabama-based litigation attorney, child advocate, author, and lecturer Liz Huntley spoke on the main stage Thursday between breakout sessions, though the highlight of the day may just have happened first thing in the morning when Adams Central fifth-grader Ava Bonifas drew standing applause with an amazing rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and set the tone for an enthusiastic conference.

The annual awards luncheon was held on Thursday, with affiliate organizations recognizing and honoring their recipients. NCSA then presented its annual Distinguished Service Award to Sally Schreiner, who recently retired after 24 years as campus administrator for the Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired (NCECBVI). Stuart Clark, Director of Special Education at ESU 1, was honored with the NCSA Distinguished Service Award as well.

NCSA was honored to welcome several special guests to this year’s conference, including Senator Lynne Walz, Chair of the

“The NCSA Distinguished Service Award is given to individuals who provide exceptional leadership in public education, and

Kevin Wingard, NCSA Chair, and Patrick Moore, NCSA Vice Chair, pull a name out of the raffle box during Friday morning’s general session at Administrators’ Days.

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A DMINIS T RA T O R S' DAY S

there aren’t two more deserving recipients than Sally and Stuart,” said Executive Director Dr. Mike Dulaney. “They’re leaders in their respective fields, and each of them exemplifies everything the reward embodies. Both are remarkable assets to education in Nebraska.”

Mike Dulaney regards as an association favorite. Glenn then took the stage to leave attendees with a memorable, and humorous, message before Administrators’ Days came to a close and school leaders returned to their districts reinvigorated for a new year.

Senator Matt Williams received the Friend of Education Award on Thursday. This award has been given out since 2012 to non-members who have made significant contributions to public education.

“When humor is used in any kind of training or presentation, retention is elevated up to 2000 percent,” said Glenn, who ditches the PowerPoints for the kinesthetic and ramps up the energy using music and art.

“Senator Williams has been a champion for public education throughout his time in the legislature,” Dulaney said. “He’s always made education a priority, and NCSA has valued our collaboration through the years.”

“It’s really about cultivating an experience and providing attendees an experience that gives them energy and excitement to wrap everything up and take all they’ve learned back to their schools to apply it,” Glenn said. “When you’re the educational leader of a school, there’s a lot on your plate.

My hope was to give them something they can take back to kickstart their new year on a new note.”

The conference was jam-packed with all the usual fun favorites like Trivia Night, the Exhibitor’s Reception, and Hospitality Suites. Administrators in Action, with Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of Nebraska, raised $5,000 for Nebraska Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association.

NCSA held its yearly New Member Breakfast before the general session on Friday, an event Executive Director Dr.

A new school year, a new venue, a new energy. What would be a better way to kick off 2022-23? ■

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AD MI N I S T RA TO R S ' D AY S

Senator Lynne Walz, Chair of the Education Committee, and research analyst, Nicole Barrett, are recognized during Administrators’ Days. Walz held a breakout session and shared valuable conversations with members throughout the conference.

Former NCECBVI Campus Administrator Sally Schreiner receives the NCSA Distinguished Service Award from Executive Director Dr. Mike Dulaney at Administrators’ Days. Schreiner retired this spring after 24 impactful years in the position.

Bloomfield Superintendent Shane Alexander poses with Clifford the Big Red Dog, who made an appearance at a hospitality suite during Administrators’ Days.

Senator Matt Williams was presented the NCSA Friend of Education Award at Administrators’ Days. Williams, Dr. Mike Dulaney said, kept education a priority throughout his time in the legislature.

NCSA members participate in Administrators in Action while attending Administrators’ Days in Kearney. The walk raised $5,000 for the Nebraska CASA Association, a donation made by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Nebraska.

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A DMINIS T RA T O RS' DAY S

NCSA Associate Executive Director Dr. Dan Ernst leads his annual Networking with New Administrators at Administrators’ Days.

ESU 1 Director of Special Education Stuart Clark was a recipient of the NCSA Distinguished Service Award at Administrators’ Days. “We get to build a future that is better than today,” Clark said.

Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson was one of several special guests to attend the 2022 Administrators’ Days in Kearney. Here, Peterson is introduced during a general session.

Friday keynote Sam Glenn enjoyed his visit to Nebraska, and brought some serious energy to the main stage on Friday. Here, he presents Erin Sieh with a painting.

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AD V OCA C Y

After a two-year pause, the NCSA/NDE Advocacy Team makes its return to Capitol Hill

By Tyler Dahlgren, Communications Manager

The NCSA/NDE Advocacy Team after their meeting at the US Department of Education. Pictured, from left to right, is Dr. Matt Blomstedt, Dr. Mike Dulaney, Dr. Mark Adler, Sara Paider, McKayla LaBorde, Erin Gonzalez, Erin Heineman, Brad Jacobsen, Tyler Dahlgren, Kevin Wingard, and Patrick Moore.

For the first time since 2019, the NCSA/NDE Advocacy Team ventured to Washington D.C. in early June to advocate on behalf of public education on Capitol Hill.

The collaborative model, which sends representatives from six affiliate organizations plus the chair, vice chair, and past chair of NCSA to the nation’s capital alongside Commissioner

“It’s really exciting to see everyone make a real difference with those conversations they’re having, and other states just don’t do it like that. There really is no place like Nebraska."

Dr. Matt Blomstedt

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of Education Dr. Matt Blomstedt, has caught the attention of delegates at both the federal and state level.

According to Blomstedt, the trips have made an impact, especially this year’s.

“Real stories from administrators are critical and having them here gives me a chance to give a perspective not just from a statewide viewpoint, but from a local viewpoint,” Blomstedt said following Monday’s full slate of meetings, the highlight being a sit down with U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education Dr. James Lane and Roberto Rodriguez, Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development. “Today was a really great day. It makes a difference, both with the US Department of Education team and with our Nebraska delegation staffers, hearing first-hand accounts of what schools are facing.”

Dr. Blomstedt wouldn’t be surprised if the NCSA/NDE blueprint becomes replicated by other states in the future. He’s already heard incredible feedback from Capitol Hill.

A DVOCACY “It’s really exciting to see everyone make a real difference with those conversations they’re having, and other states just don’t do it like that,” Blomstedt said. “There really is no place like Nebraska.”

"Time well spent is a wise investment," he said, "and the advocacy trip was exactly that." In fact, Gonzalez added, the camaraderie and relationship-building is one of the greatest rewards to being involved with NCSA.

Flying in support of the commissioner, NSASSP president Patrick Moore said, gives the team’s message on issues such as the teacher shortage, career academies, and broadband/ technology assessments more weight.

“We’re all in this together,” she continued. “Coming out to Washington D.C. with a unified message, advocating for the same thing together as a team, it’s just a really powerful experience.” ■

“Traveling with the commissioner, it feels like we have a seat at the table that we might not otherwise have in a state organization,” said Moore, who serves as secondary principal at Blue Hills Community Schools.

In addition to meeting with Dr. Lane and Rodriguez, the team shared conversations in the offices of Senator Ben Sasse, Congressman Don Bacon, and Congressman Adrian Smith.

NAESP president Erin Gonzalez called the opportunity a powerful one.

“It’s impactful, because it shows we support our commissioner and our commissioner supports us, and that we are all in this together,” said Gonzalez, principal at Harvey Oaks Elementary in Millard. “That was the message we were portraying when we were there. We all work together in this state to improve education.”

After arriving Sunday, the advocacy team, which also included Brad Jacobsen (Chair), Sara Paider (Vice Chair), Dr. Mark Adler (Past Chair), McKayla LaBorde (NASES), Erin Heineman (NASBO), Kevin Wingard (NASA), and Dr. Mike Dulaney, met with NCSA federal liaison Reg Leichty for a briefing over dinner. Monday morning started fast, with a stop at the Department of Education at the top of the agenda.

Members of the NCSA/NDE Advocacy Team share their message with U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education Dr. James Lane during their time at the US Department of Education in June.

“The meeting at the Department of Education was the most impactful one we had,” said Moore. “The fact that the assistant secretaries are now talking to other states about doing the same thing is pretty cool and a reflection of the impact we made.”

One talking point that came up throughout the day was how Nebraska’s schools set the standard when navigating through the pandemic. Nebraska did remarkable things during the shutdown, the commissioner explained, especially in food security.

“We saw the power of removing the very real hunger barrier that exists for students,” Wingard, current Chair of the NCSA Executive Board, said in Sasse’s office. “There’s no other program that touches every kid in a district.”

Moore, current Vice Chair, said the experience was valuable, too, in that it opened his eyes to his colleagues’ perspectives.

Each June, members of the NCSA Executive Board join their commissioner on an advocacy trip in the nation’s capital. Pictured in front of the Capitol building are members of the NCSA/NDE Advocacy Team.

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A FFILIA T E LE A DERSHI P

Rooted In Your Purpose Dr. Melissa Poloncic, NASA President

I began my school year honored to represent the Nebraska Association of School Administrators (NASA) as President. The Nebraska Council of School Administrators organization and NASA as an affiliate have contributed greatly to the connections, learning, and growth I have experienced as a Nebraska administrator.

POLONCIC I am grateful to serve an organization that has given me so much as a professional.

Thank you for this opportunity.

As I enter my 30th year in education, I remain very committed to my purpose and passion for beginning in this field so many years ago. I thoroughly enjoy working alongside people to provide students an education that will forever impact their journey in life. There is something so daunting yet gratifying in the responsibility we hold as educators. Parents bring us their most precious humans every year and we have the awesome duty of working together to open their student’s world to new learning, opportunities, and experiences they may never have had if it wasn’t for us. Those precious humans eventually walk across our graduation stages and enter the world of extended education, training, and life.

An educational experience provides essential life skills that everyone needs, so as educators we impact every life!

In the current environment of negativity surrounding teaching and education, I have been encouraging educators to revisit their own purpose for doing what they do. We know that educators are driven by a different heartbeat than most, they are kind and caring souls that want to make a difference in the world. Their work is not measured by money or time, it is measured by the impact they have. The returns of smiles, hugs, and the successes of those students and families they serve are what keeps them going through the burnout and rhetoric.

A collaboration of entities across the state has joined forces in supporting our public schools with the “Rooted in Nebraska” campaign. The full slogan for the campaign is “Nebraska Schools: Rooted in Academics, Grown for Success”. So much is said in this simple slogan. One of the definitions of rooted from Oxford Languages is to “establish deeply and firmly”. Nebraska schools have some beliefs, traditions,

and ways in which we serve our kids and communities that we acknowledge make us unique in our nation. We are determined, even through difficult times, to keep those things rooted deeply and firmly in our culture. The exercise of revisiting your own purpose allows you to examine your roots. What is it that you have established deeply and firmly in your profession? Is it keeping kids first? Is it the belief that together we are better? Is it that as an educator you may not get rich in possessions, but you will be rich in memories and relationships? What are your roots, what is your purpose, why do you do what you do, and what do you want to continue to establish deeply and firmly?

I serve as the Superintendent of DC West and we recently completed a new strategic plan. As part of that process, we engaged our community, staff, students, and families in a common process of defining what it is that we do well and what we see as opportunities for growth. Through this process, we were reminded that the things that are really important to people, the work that we should be rooted in, are really summed up in a few principles. Academic opportunities are highly important in our schools. The educational experience is more than academics and schools move mountains to meet every student’s needs. An environment that is welcoming, family and community-centered, is appreciated.

Relationships that are caring and supportive are key. The sense of community in a school should be inclusive where people treat others how they themselves would want to be treated. I’m certain that these principles would be similar in most schools across Nebraska. These same values were extremely important when I started teaching 30 years ago and I believe they will still be important 30 years from now.

Some ideologies transcend time and those are our roots.

I am ever proud to be a Nebraska educator. We are people of strong belief, work ethic, a sense of community, and pride.

Our communities are sometimes small but mighty, and our greatest resource in this state is the people (along with the corn!). Keep a focus on our roots, where we want to grow next, and work together to encourage each other to stay true to our purposes, even when it is hard. ■

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PR OGRA M S PO TL I G H T

Rooted in Academics. Grown for Success: NCSA helps launch positive messaging campaign geared toward public education

By Tyler Dahlgren, Communications Manager NCSA has joined other organizations, including NebSPRA, Greater Nebraska Superintendents (GNS), NRCSA, and Schools Taking Action for Nebraska Children's Education (STANCE) on the issue of negative rhetoric forming around public education.

In partnership, we have launched a grassroots campaign that will equip the hundreds of thousands of public education proponents, both inside our schools and inside our communities, with the resources necessary to correct the rhetoric.

Nebraska Public Schools.

Rooted in Academics.

Grown for Success.

It's more than a slogan. It’s a celebration. Our state's pride in its public education system is rooted in more than 150 years of academic excellence and student success. Nebraska's public schools are the beating heart of the state, and, this school year, we're going to show everyone why.

“We see positive things happening in our school districts every single day, and we hear about similar successes taking place in schools across Nebraska,” said Millard Public Schools Superintendent Dr. John Schwartz. “This campaign gives Nebraskans something we can all unify under while telling the great story about the work being done in our buildings. It’s an opportunity to celebrate each other’s work, highlight the value we bring to students and our communities, and, ultimately, celebrate the success and the value that we bring to Nebraska children each and every day.”

The campaign’s website (www.RootedinNebraska.org) is now up and running. The site will continue to evolve and will be enriched with resources and tools (customizable social media templates, fact sheets, etc.) that can be easily utilized by schools and stakeholders alike.

“Educators are humble by nature, and sometimes we don’t do the best job of sharing all the great stories that live in our schools,” said Norfolk Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jami Jo Thompson. “But the things I was seeing on social media representing education nationally don’t represent

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what I see within my own school. So it’s incredibly important that we share those stories, that we push those successes out in front of the public eye.”

Schwartz, who is in his first year at MPS after three years leading Norris School District 160, said that most of his district’s families and community members are ardent supporters of their school district. The “Rooted” campaign will give proponents an easy way to show their support.

“They love the teachers that serve their kids, they value the leadership their principals and school boards and other school staff provide, and they recognize the importance of everyone within our schools from the bus drivers that pick up kids in the morning to the teachers, food service workers, custodians, and the secretaries they see every day,” he said.

“That value is there.”

One of the campaign’s primary goals is to attract young people into the teaching profession. It’s about getting future teachers excited about the profession again, said Dr. Josh Fields, Superintendent of Seward Public Schools.

“A big chunk of this is trying to get more applicants, trying to get people excited about education, and trying to get our young students who are graduating from high school to think about going into the profession,” said Fields.

The idea may have been hatched at a GNS meeting in Downtown Omaha, but it’s imperative to the success of the campaign that schools across the state participate. From the Metro through the Sandhills to the Panhandle and all of the incredible schools in between.

“We see positive things happening in our school districts every single day, and we hear about similar successes taking place in schools across Nebraska.”

Dr. John Schwartz

PRO GRA M S POTL I G HT

Apparel graphics designed to be implemented by all schools in their brand colors

Posters and printed templates for ease of application.

“One of the common threads that ties us together as public schools, whether you’re an urban, rural, or suburban district, is that every kid who walks through our doors is met by a staff that is ready to roll up their sleeves and do everything in their power to serve that kid,” said Schwartz. “I’m really proud of that, because school staff, no matter what position they’re in, they care about all kids, and they work hard to serve all kids.”

With that said, it’s time to celebrate the start of a new school year. By doing what you’ve always done. Only this time, we’re going to open the window and broadcast our everyday triumphs to an entire state.

“We’re very humble most of the time, almost too ‘Nebraska Nice,’” said Fields. “But the time’s come where we have to be able to really showcase the great things that we’re doing, and be a little boastful about that, too.”

Social media templates

Use #NEPSSuccess on Twitter throughout the year to join in the fun. There comes a point when there’s too much of something it can’t be drowned out.

“I hope there are so many positive stories in the media and on social media that those citizens in our communities, even the ones without a strong tie to the school, see our message and are swayed by the positive stories our students and our parents and our staff members are sharing,” said Thompson.

Share the kick-off video with your school by searching, "Nebraska Public Schools: Rooted in Academics, Grown for Success" ■

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LEGACY

Dr. Doug Christensen reflects on a remarkable career and a lasting legacy 60 years in the making

By Tyler Dahlgren, Communications Manager

Former Nebraska Commissioner of Education Dr. Doug Christensen sits down with Communications Manager Tyler Dahlgren in the NCSA Offices to reflect on a career that’s touched parts of seven decades.

PART 1 | From Minister to “Mr. C” It’s 40 miles from Tekamah to the campus of Midland University in Fremont, and in the summer of 1960 an 18-year-old recent high school graduate named Doug Christensen reluctantly saddled himself to a tractor and began one peculiar road trip.

The kid would go on to do great things. Four years later, he’d make the switch from minister to teacher. Five years after that, he’d become a school administrator. In 1994, he was named Nebraska’s Commissioner of Education. He’d even forgo retirement and start a successful PhD program at a small university in a small town outside of Lincoln.

That’s where the tractor would sit, collecting dust, until a farmer called him in October to offer some work. Christensen, you’ll learn, is an opportunist. The tractor was no longer unclaimed, and the calls for work kept coming.

Initially he wanted to be a minister, so that’s what he became, though the calling was short-lived. It dawned on him driving back to Fremont from a funeral in Hooper, this time in an automobile, that the life of a small-town minister wasn’t all he’d hoped it would be.

But this tractor ride, along hilly, winding roads through Burt and into Dodge County, this still is the most fascinating leg of Doug Christensen’s fascinating journey.

“I realized that this is what small-ministers do, they bury people,” Christensen said. “They go to the hospitals. They go on visits. They go to the funerals. And that’s not who I am.

Not that I can’t do that, but I had a vision that being a minister would be about working with young people.”

With the wind in his hair and gravel kicking up below his feet, it was an inauspicious start to a legacy that’s still growing 62 years later. When Christensen made it to campus, he parked the tractor in the corner of the student lot, making sure that nobody had seen him or the tractor he’d rode in on.

Christensen, a German major, went back to Midland and had a talk with the dean, who he had grown close to. The dean asked him if he’d ever considered teaching. He hadn’t and didn’t plan to, despite his professors all agreeing that he would make a fine educator.

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L EG ACY “My dad didn’t like the idea,” Christensen remembers. “He was one of those folks who would say ‘There are those who can do and those who can teach’, and being a teacher was almost lower than being a minister in his eyes.”

With his options limited and his time waning (his father agreed to pay for four years of college and no more), Christensen changed courses and got certified to teach.

He was married on a Friday night, graduated from Midland on the following Sunday, and then, with a stroke of luck, the Christensens moved to Holdrege to begin their careers together, Doug as a biology teacher and Cheryl as a P.E. teacher.

Christensen doesn’t remember being too enthused about his new career. He figured he’d teach for a year or two and then find something more fulfilling. And yet, the night before the first day of school, he found himself tossing and turning. There were lots of butterflies and little sleep.

“What am I going to do with 30 sophomores five times a day?” he asked himself.

The next day he stood in front of 30 expressionless sophomores waiting for their teacher to say a word. Any word.

Before passing out a stack of papers, he spoke.

“I still don’t know why I did this, but I turned to the kids and said ‘Alright, I need to know your names, starting right down here, tell me your name,’” he said. “And so they did, right down the row, all thirty of them.”

What Christensen did next, he’s still not quite sure why.

“I went backwards, reciting each of their names correctly, something I’d never done before.”

The class loosened up. Christensen loosened up. He had their trust and did the same thing in the next four classes, missing just one of 150 names.

“I loved everything about being a manager. It was very compelling and appealing to me. So I started my master’s degree that summer at UNK.” Dr. Doug Christensen

That Friday night, the newlywed teachers were unwinding in their new Holdrege home when Cheryl turned to Doug and asked him, ‘Well, what do you think?’

Mr. C, his students were already calling him, smiled.

“I think this is going to be okay.”

PART 2 | Administration Until Mr. C formed a connection with his students, biology was irrelevant. What he taught was no more than the mechanism that placed him in a room with who he taught.

“I was there to help build them in terms of being people, build them in terms of how they saw themselves, build them in terms of values they showed,” Christensen said. “And then, shoot, you couldn’t have driven me out of there. I realized I had an opportunity to affect kids’ lives that very few people have.”

Christensen was right where he needed to be, and by the next year he was volunteering for every committee and extracurricular activity he could. His first experience in leadership came when he was selected to serve as the first president of the Phelps County Teachers Association. Just an opportunist seizing an opportunity.

“I loved organizing, planning for the meetings, setting up committees, getting them to work,” he recalls. “I loved everything about being a manager. It was very compelling and appealing to me. So I started my master’s degree that summer at UNK.” With each Tuesday night drive from Holdrege to Kearney, Christensen became more confident that his career was headed in the right direction. His popularity with students was growing, quite to his principal’s disdain.

“He thought being popular was the worst deterrent to classroom management,” Christensen said.

When Christensen would actually teach, the principal told a school board member who would later relay it back Mr. C, he did a fine job. Most of the time, the principal sighed, his classroom was filled with chaos. Laughter and discussion and other nonsense that belonged in the hallways.

“I received my master’s, and he called me into his office in March of my fifth-year there and said ‘So you think you can run a school better than me?’” Christensen laughs recalling the challenge. “I said, ‘I have never ever said that. And I wouldn’t say that. But since you’re asking, the answer is yes.’”

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LEGACY PART 3 | Reflections from a Commissioner How Dr. Doug Christensen became Nebraska’s Commissioner of Education, he still isn’t quite sure.

“It was the job that was most unlikely for me to have gone after,” said Christensen, who was serving as superintendent in North Platte when the telephone rang and then-commissioner Dr. Joe Lutjeharms greeted him from the other end of the line.

“He was looking for an associate commissioner to take over everything related to curriculum.”

Things were going well in North Platte, but Christensen couldn’t shake feelings of unfulfillment. What would be his next move? He didn’t want to move up a school size, not after fighting like heck to keep control of curriculum at North Platte.

Most schools that size had assistant superintendents for that, and larger districts certainly all did.

In the end, it was Christensen’s family that talked him into taking the job. Curriculum, teaching, and learning, that was the best part of his current job, his daughter pointed out. The one thing he truly loved.

“At the end of the program, the evaluations almost always point to our students being better people than when they started. To me, that is the key sign that we’re on the right track and we’re doing this successfully."

Dr. Doug Christensen So why not do it at the state level, where his reach would be greater, she asked. He picked up the phone and dialed Dr. Lutjeharms.

“I said, ‘Well, you’ve got your man,’” Christensen told him. “I’m still not sure what drew me to that other than I went from being a teacher to a principal to a superintendent, who had an effect on all the kids in the school, to now having a chance to have an effect on every kid in the state. I couldn’t pass that up.”

The Christensens moved to Lincoln, and before long Mr. C stepped into the role of Deputy Commissioner. One day, Lutjeharms walked into his office and shared his plans to retire, something he’d done 100 times before. This time,

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though, he was serious. December 21st would be his last day, and his job, Commissioner of Education, was on the table for Christensen’s taking.

Christensen didn’t see himself as a politician. He didn’t know how he’d operate in that world, mingling with senators at the Capitol and bartering on behalf of public education. That kind of stuff made up at least 75 percent of Lutjeharms daily duties.

Christensen was going to decline the offer before another round of wise words from his wife.

“She said, ‘Well, now why would you have to be commissioner just like everybody else? You weren’t a superintendent like everybody else.’ And once again, my wife was right. I had to take the job. I wanted to redefine what that job was. I wanted the commissioner to be the lead educator, not the lead politician.”

And for 14 years, Doug Christensen was just that: Nebraska’s lead educator.

PART 4 | Doane and Beyond Mr. C retired in 2008. For all of six months. The worst six months of his life.

“I never felt so lost in all my life,” he said. “Every day seemed like Saturday. I didn’t have a schedule to go off of. Nobody was calling me. I just absolutely hated it.”

Then one day the phone rang. It was Jed Johnston from Doane College, the first in a series of events that eventually led to Christensen starting a wildly successful PhD program at the small liberal arts school 25 miles outside of Lincoln.

At the time, Johnston was running an excellent EDL master’s degree program at Doane, but Christensen thought the school was doing students a disservice by not offering a bridge between their master’s and a doctorate. So he built that bridge, a three-and-a-half-year PhD program that was off and running with 22 students signed up the next fall.

That number has grown to 35 in 2022. Some of the state’s most influential school leaders have earned their doctorates from Doane University.

“Developing their dispositions, core values, resilience, to bring those qualities forward and say ‘that’s what makes you a leader,’ that’s the end goal,” Christensen said. “At the end of the program, the evaluations almost always point to our students being better people than when they started. To me, that is the key sign that we’re on the right track and we’re doing this successfully.”

L EG ACY Christensen retired this year after an impactful career that has spanned parts of seven decades. This time, he might even sit still for a while, knowing Nebraska is in good hands.

“What I see when I look at the current state of education, and this is confirming to me, is the indomitable spirit of leaders in education to make it work,” he said. “Through the pandemic and all the other challenges, the criticisms, there is still that voice out there that says public education is important and we’re going to do the right thing for the children in our state.”

Christensen got a call not too long ago from his 80-year-old neighbor, Dale, who was moving into town and had a tractor sitting in a barn, collecting dust. Christensen, Dale thought, should come take a look at it, so he did.

“It was the same tractor I’d driven to college sixty years earlier,” he said. “Unbelievable.”

Life, Christensen has learned, comes full circle. After everything he’s done and all he’s accomplished, Christensen still sees himself as an educator.

Just Mr. C standing in front of 30 sophomores, ready to teach.

“I can see their faces, just how they were then,” he said. “I know exactly who they are. I couldn’t pick them out of a crowd now, because they’re 70 years old and look a lot different. But I can close my eyes and see those 15-year-old faces.” ■

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FALL 2022 NCSA TODAY

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P ROG RA M SPO TL I G H T

NCSA joins Commissioner on tour of Boys Town for an up-close look at Safe2Help Nebraska hotline

By Tyler Dahlgren, Communications Manager During the 2021 legislative session, NCSA played a prominent role in the successful passing of LB 322, which called for statewide adoption of the School Safety and Security Reporting System Act. The bill, introduced by Senator Matt Williams, united the education community and paved the path for Safe2Help Nebraska to expand statewide. Prior to LB 322, Safe2Help Nebraska was in its pilot stage, being housed at the Boys Town Hotline and made available to school districts within Douglas County.

Safe2Help Nebraska, which was modeled after an existing program in Colorado, has ballooned since, emerging as one of the nation’s finest student-centered crisis report lines. The Denver Post even sang its neighboring state’s new program’s praises, referring to Nebraska’s model as “next level”.

As of mid-August, the program was offering services to 28 school districts across Nebraska and serving nearly 42,000 students. Since September 1, 2021, Safe2Help Nebraska has

received 631 tip reports. In other words, the program has grown from a potential difference-maker for students in crisis to a proven game-changer for schools across the state.

“We’re growing every month,” said Diana Schmidt, who, before being named Safe2Help Nebraska manager, worked 25 years in the Boys Town Hotline as a crisis counselor. “This was an exciting venture to be a part of. It was an opportunity to help students across the state, and I’m really fortunate to be able to manage our counselors and to be a part of such an innovative project.

On August 16th, I joined Executive Director Dr. Mike Dulaney and Commissioner of Education Dr. Matt Blomstedt on a tour of Boys Town’s campus, capped by a much-anticipated firsthand look at the hotline center, an incredibly impressive and well-oiled machine where highly-trained crisis counselors field calls from across the state.

The Boys Town National Hotline started working with individual school districts a decade ago, which made housing

NCSA played a pivotal part in the successful passing of LB 322, which expanded the Safe2Help report line to schools across the state. Pictured here is the call center, housed by the Boys Town National Hotline and manned by highly-trained crisis counselors.

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NCSA TODAY FALL 2022

PRO GRA M S POTL I G HT Safe2Help Nebraska less daunting and more seamless.

“It was a natural fit,” said Schmidt, who explained that the program has streamlined its previous process by integrating more technology and counselors. “Safe2Help accelerated everything. It was a fluid transition, and our 10 years of experience with districts here in Douglas County really paid dividends when we started to go statewide.”

The bill was born from collaboration, and the program continues to operate with the partnerships that made it possible as its foundation. NCSA’s tour started in the Hall of History, where Director of Community Programs Tom Lynch painted a fascinating picture of the campus’s rich history.

Senior Colby Johnson, a Baltimore native and the 122nd Mayor of Boys Town, led Blomstedt, Dulaney, and myself through the Career Center and fielded a bevy of questions.

After hearing about Boys Town’s community initiatives and national training practices, it was time to enter the call center.

After a year and a half advocating for the program alongside NDE, UNL, school districts, law enforcement agencies, the Nebraska Catholic Conference, and Boys Town (just to name a few), it was a gratifying grand finale to an exceptionally enjoyable day.

“The success of this program, ultimately, rests on that collaboration,” Schmidt said. “Our role is to be there for the schools. And we are. All the time. Sometimes there’s an immediate safety concern, and it’s after-hours. We jump into action and help if a student isn’t in a position to reach out to trusted adults. We’ll call 911 on their behalf. Schools are already

doing a lot to secure safety. We’re here to assist them.”

Schmidt emphasized growth again and again.

The program was built to expand. Eventually, the hope is that the report line will be connected to threat assessment teams at every school district in the state.

“We want more calls and we want more tips,” Boys Town’s Director of Advocacy and Public NCSA Executive Director Dr. Mike Policy Margaret Vacek said Dulaney, Commissioner of Education Dr. Matt Blomstedt and Communications in the NCSA Today article Manager Tyler Dahlgren pose in front of from the spring of 2021 Boys Town’s Hall of History before their titled “From Collaboration special tour of the campus in August.

Comes LB 322: NCSA, education community back ‘gamechanging’ safety bill”. “The more tips we receive, the more opportunities we have to make a difference.”

They’re making a difference, alright, and the staggering figures aren’t the only form of proof.

“Sometimes the hotline will be aware of a positive outcome, but oftentimes we’re not,” Schmidt said. “We find validation and measure success by the data, of course, but also through the testimony coming from school districts. Their support, and their involvement, speaks volumes.”

Safe2Help Nebraska is free to school districts, and the implementation process is swift, no matter where they’re at in terms of current safety and security practices.

“Whether they have a lot of history with this kind of thing or not, districts can begin to learn threat assessment and how to deal with the information coming to them from Safe2Help,” Schmidt said. “Having access to a resource that works to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students is a very important thing for everyone in Nebraska. For schools, public and private, it’s essential. Every community in Nebraska benefits.” *To learn more about Safe2Help Nebraska, visit www.safe2helpne.org. ■

Senior Colby Johnson, pictured in the blue sweatshirt, teams with Boys Town superintendent Dr. Bob Reznicek to lead a tour of the school’s famous grounds.

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T RE N D S I N S U PER I NTEND ENC Y

Superintendent Turnover Dr. Michael Sieh & Dr. Jerry Beach, Wayne State College

by Dr. Dan Ernst at NCSA, equal opportunities for all potential superintendent candidates, recruitment of minorities, and the effects of the pandemic. Of note were discussions focused on current school superintendent recruitment and hiring trends, and next steps as an organization to support getting effective candidates into the school superintendent pipeline.

BEACH

SIEH

In Support of Current/Aspiring Superintendents During the fall of 2020, Dr. Nick Pace, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Educational Administration, and Dr. Mike Dulaney, Executive Director, Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA), engaged in conversations focusing on how higher education preparatory programs for school superintendents and NCSA could partner to ensure a quality pool of superintendents for the future in Nebraska.

A result of those initial discussions was the formation of the Nebraska Association of Professors of School Leadership (NAPSL). Members of NAPSL are employed in administrative/ instructional roles in Nebraska institutions of higher education with education leader preparation programs. NCSA continues to offer support for the organization’s efforts.

NAPSL meets several times a year. The most recent meeting was July 27, 2022, in conjunction with Administrator Days.

A result of earlier meetings, two projects were prioritized: 1) Superintendent Research Project and 2) Assessment Literacy Project. In line with this article focusing on Nebraska school superintendent turnover, the following narrative relates only to the Superintendent Research Project: During the meeting, conversations focused on data gathered from a survey recently distributed to Nebraska superintendents to gather responses related to: a) views about the superintendency; b) personal value positions; c) personal information about the survey respondent; and d) information about the survey respondent’s district. Based on survey results, topics discussed were: shortage of superintendent candidates/applicants for open positions, the existing new superintendent mentorship program coordinated

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NCSA TODAY FALL 2022

Although we found no magic bullets to address the fear of superintendent shortages, the collaboration between the higher education institutions was amazing considering post-secondary institutions are often more competitive than collaborative. Partway through the meeting, many of us may have been asking ourselves if we really wanted to think this hard, but in the end, we were all glad to be part of an amazing discussion. We would like to say, “The cavalry is on the way!” but the more realistic takeaway from the meeting is that NAPSL is willing to collaborate with current and future superintendents along with school districts to ensure quality superintendents in Nebraska.

The New Year At the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, there are 244 PK-12 Nebraska public school districts. Thirty-eight (38) new superintendents or interim superintendents lead school districts across Nebraska. The rate of turnover in the state is 15.6% this year, very similar to 16.0% in 2021-22. The 2022-23 rate is on par with the average annual turnover for superintendents in Nebraska since 2000-01. The Nebraska number would seem to be in line with national trends. The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) reports an annual average superintendent turnover rate of 1416% (U.S. School Superintendents: Handling Political Divisions Is Toughest Part of Job, 2022). According to Dan Domenech, AASA executive director, anecdotal state reports indicate the nationwide turnover number could be significantly higher as there is no national database that captures superintendent turnover (personal communication, August 4, 2022).

The average tenure-in-position for the state at the start of the new year will be 4.9 years. This mark is consistent with past years.

The backgrounds of the new superintendents for 2022-23: 8 from other superintendent positions; 15 - from principal roles; 6 - from positions in central offices; and 1 – from classroom teacher. One of the eight moving from superintendent position to superintendent position came from out-of-state.

T RE NDS IN S UPE RINT E NDENCY Of 38 changes in superintendent status from a year ago, we have 21 noted as retiring. This number represents about 9% of those who were in top leadership positions last year. The 2020 AASA Decennial Superintendent Survey indicates that 40.5% of the superintendents nationally intended to leave the superintendency within five years. Considering eight former superintendents who were out of education last year are returning for 2022-2023, the retirement rate does not seem significant. Career changes are shared in Table 1:

For purposes of this article, the veteran level is reached with the 15th year in the superintendency. Table 2 lists all the superintendents who have 15 years of experience or more in a single school district. We have four on-deck for veteran status with 14 years, six with 13 years, and six with 12 years.

Table 2 – School Superintendent Experience including 2022-2023 School Year

Table 1 – Changes in superintendent status Reason for change

Hanzlik is next in line with 23 years leading the Stuart School District. Jeff Anderson at Fullerton has 22 years in the same school system and Mark Aten has 21 years in Overton.

Number

Administrator

School/ESU Name

Experience

Retiring

21

Cerny, Jon

Bancroft-Rosalie

30

Moving to superintendent position in-state

8

Hanzlik, Robert

Stuart

23

Accepted out-of-state superintendent position

1

Anderson, Jeff

Fullerton

22

Moving to different ed leadership position

2

Aten, Mark

Overton

21

Moving to ESU administrator

1

Dack, Del

Paxton

19

Undetermined next adventure

5

Haack, Terry

Bennington

19

Spencer, David

South Platte

19

Wingard, Kevin

Milford

18

Herzberg, Holly

Hampton

17

Sandoz, Margaret

Niobrara

17

Davis, Jon

Alma

16

Hasty, Rich

Plattsmouth

16

Scott, Shawn

Adams Central

16

Fehringer, Dan

Winnebago

15

Garey, Alan

Medicine Valley

15

Gies, Brett

Sioux County

15

Sheffield, Paul

Exeter-Milligan

15

Wiseman, Dana

Sutton

15

Of note this year: a) Nine first-year execs are serving on an interim basis at the start of the 2022-2023 school term; b) 21 superintendents in year one are assuming a public-school superintendent position for the first time; c) 109 of 243 (44.9%) superintendents reflect three years or less tenure in the same district, inclusive of the 2022-23 school year.

The Veterans Over the past 13 years, Nebraska has averaged slightly over four superintendents who served 20 years or more in the same school district. This year we again have four. Jon Cerny continues to lead the pack starting his 30th year as the Bancroft-Rosalie Public Schools Superintendent. Robert

NATIONAL CONVENTION DATES AASA – February 16-18, 2023 – San Antonio, TX

NASSP – July 12-15, 2023 – Denver, CO

ASCD – March 31-April 3, 2023 – Denver, CO

ASBO – October 18-21, 2023 – National Harbor, MD

NAESP – July 10-12, 2023 – National Harbor, MD

FALL 2022 NCSA TODAY

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T RE N D S I N S U PER I NTEND ENC Y The Super Supes Our Super Supes category looks at total tenure in the profession from multiple districts. There are now just two experienced superintendents who have chalked up at least 30 years of administrative service in various districts.

And just one more has at least 25 years of total experience as a superintendent. The 30+ super supes include Dan Hoesing, who has 32 years in Ansley, Laurel-Concord (with combinations at Coleridge, Wynot, and Newcastle), Alliance, and Schuyler, and Jon Cerny who has served 30 years at Bancroft-Rosalie.

The lone superintendent between 25 and 30 years of superintendent experience is John Hakonson (27 at Newcastle, Blue Hill, Sidney, and Lexington). Ten additional superintendents have 20 years or more, including some who have served multiple districts. Because tenure in multiple districts can be more challenging to track, please let us know if your name has been left off this list. Table 3 displays superintendents who have 20 years of total experience or more.

Table 3 – Total Tenure including the 2022-2023 School Year & current school Administrator Hoesing, Dan (Schuyler)

Experience 30

Hakonson, John (Lexington)

27

Hamm, Dave (Osmond)

23

Hanzlik, Robert (Stuart)

23

Anderson, Jeff (Fullerton)

22

Aten, Mark (Overton)

21

Calvert, Paul (ESU 15)

21

Malander, Amy (Central Valley)

21

Edwards, Jeff (GINW)

20

Lucas, Mike (Westside)

20

Scott, Shawn (Hastings AC)

20

Sheffield, Paul (Exeter-Milligan)

20

Service Unit Directors In 2011, the originator of this report, Dr. Jim Ossian, started tracking Educational Service Unit (ESU) administrators in this annual article. This group of educational leaders provides invaluable assistance to PK-12 school districts in their service areas ranging from staff development to technology.

Functioning within each district's central office administration are ESU18 (Lincoln Public Schools) and ESU19 (Omaha Public

NCSA TODAY FALL 2022

Table 4 – ESU Administrator Experience including 20222023 School Year Administrator

School/ESU Name

Experience

Calvert, Paul

ESU 15 (Trenton)

14

DeTurk, Ted

ESU 02 (Fremont)

9

Polk, Larianne

ESU 07 (Columbus)

9

Schnoes, Dan

ESU 03 (LaVista)

9

Erickson, Geraldine

ESU 17 (Ainsworth)

7

McNiff, Brenda

ESU 05 (Beatrice)

7

Heimann, Bill

ESU 01 (Wakefield)

6

Paulman, Deb

ESU 16 (Ogallala)

6

Robke, Gregg

ESU 04 (Auburn)

6

Wheelock, Melissa

ESU 10 (Kearney)

5

Dahl, Corey

ESU 08 (Neligh)

4

Harris, Drew

ESU 09 (Hastings)

4

Salem, Sarah

ESU 18 (Lincoln)

4

Skretta, John

ESU 06 (Milford)

4

Barrett, Laura

ESU 13 (Scottsbluff)

2

Poppert, John

ESU 11 (Holdrege)

1

32.5

Cerny, Jon (Bancroft-Rosalie)

22

Schools). Table 4 lists each ESU administrator according to years of experience.

As of this writing, ESU 19 (Omaha) has not named an administrator for the 2022-2023 school year. Kraig Lofquist, ESU Coordinating Commission CEO, is starting his fourth year but has served as an administrator within the ESU system for thirteen years.

Women Superintendents A final scan of superintendents looks at the state's progress concerning gender equity with the superintendency. While the AASA 2020 Decennial Study shows the percentage of female superintendents in the nation at 26.7%, Nebraska trails that number with 12.0% of the state's top educational leaders being female. Table 5 reflects women who currently hold the title of superintendent in Nebraska and their respective tenure in their current school district.

Despite the slow progress towards gender equity in superintendents' roles, ESU administrators represent women well. Of the 17 ESU leaders, seven are female. The result is that 44% of ESU administrators are women. Hopefully, the number of women administrators continues to grow, so perhaps someday, we no longer see a need for this section of the report.

T RE NDS IN S UPE RINT E NDENCY Table 5 – Women Superintendent Experience including 2022-2023 School Year Administrator

School/ESU Name

Herzberg, Holly

Table 6 – ESU Women Administrator Experience including the 2022-2023 School Year

Experience

Administrator

School/ESU Name

Hampton

17

Polk, Larianne

ESU 07

9

Sandoz, Margaret

Niobrara

17

Erickson, Geraldine

ESU 17

7

Wiseman, Dana

Sutton

15

McNiff, Brenda

ESU 05

7

Malander, Amy

Central Valley Schools

13

Paulman, Deb

ESU 16

6

Davis, Jane

Hershey

10

Wheelock, Melissa

ESU 10

5

Thompson, Jo Jami

Norfolk

10

Salem, Sarah

ESU 18

4

Poloncic, Melissa

Douglas County West/Valley

9

Barrett, Laura

ESU 13

2

Urbanek, Kathy

Mitchell

9

Hardy, Stacie

Umo N Ho N Nation

8

Grover, Tawana

Grand Island

7

Browne, Evelyn

Banner County

5

Kaczor, Stephanie

Riverside/Spalding

5

Logan, Cheryl

Omaha Public Schools

5

Nebesniak, Heather

Ord

5

Otero, Julie

South Central USD #5

5

Lewis, Dawn

Arlington

4

Gannon, Shanna

Shelton

3

Meyer, Ginger

Chadron

3

Pritchard, Allison

Elba

3

Anderson, Jacqueline Dundy County

2

Beaudette, Lindsey

Lyons-Decatur

2

Beran, Kim

High Plains

2

Bland, Jess

Oakland-Craig

2

Isom, Jamie

Keya Paha

2

Johnson, Lynn

Raymond Central

2

Regan, Nicole

Gering

2

Conradt, Candace

Sumner-Eddyville-Miller

1

Jonas, Allison

Gothenburg

1

Welte, Tiffanie

Tri County

1

Experience

Selected Historical Nebraska Public School District Superintendent Data As stated earlier, Dr. Jim Ossian created this state of the Nebraska superintendent article. Upon Dr. Ossian’s retirement, Dr. Craig Pease inherited the article. During Dr. Pease’s tenure crafting this article, he did an excellent job of reporting and enhancing the data presentation. Our hats are off to the efforts of Dr. Pease!

The 2020 AASA Decennial Superintendent Survey reported the number one activity in which superintendents plan to engage when leaving the profession is to enjoy more leisure time. As retired superintendents, we have to say this is an admirable plan for retirement. Our only suggestion is for each of you to enjoy more leisure time in the coming years before you retire.

Lastly, Table 7 depicts trends in the Nebraska superintendency over several years. As we analyzed past trends, we cannot help but wonder what the data will show in future reports. ■

Table 7 – Historical Nebraska Superintendency Trends

*Exclusive of 2022-23

1979-80

2000-01

2011-12

2021-22

2022-23

School Districts

317

275

249

244

243

# of Superintendents

317

261

238

242

242

Median Tenure * Average Tenure* Supt in Year 1 Percent Turnover Supt with 20+ Years Tenure Women Superintendents

3.97 6.16 56 17.7 10 2

3.74 6.36 52 18.9 15 8

3.37 5.24 41 16.3 22 5

4 4.90 39 16.0 4 31

3 4.88 38 15.6 4 29

FALL 2022 NCSA TODAY

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P ART N E RS H I P

Research for the Real World The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Department of Educational Administration (EDAD) faculty conduct leading research and outreach related to the most pressing and complex challenges and opportunities in the education field and support students in connecting theory to practice. Below is a summary of recent hands-on research published by a UNL EDAD faculty member and his doctoral student. Please contact them directly for questions and comments.

To understand the possible factors behind the trend, Dr. Xia looked into principal-perceived stress and disappointment, job satisfaction, enthusiasm, tiredness, and their intent to transfer to another school or leave education. The initial research shows that from 2007-08 to 2015-16 until 201718, all public school principals showed a rise and fall in their job satisfaction while rural principals presented the lowest satisfaction in 2017-18. Between the same years, most public school principals have shown an uptrend of stress and disappointment with rural principals overtop non-rural principals in 2017-18 (charts not shown due to limited space).

XIA

BUTLER

A National Trend Study on Rural School Principal Burnout and Mobility

By Dr. Jiangang Xia and Sam Butler

Principal turnover is oft-studied across the world, and has been shown to affect student learning for years surrounding a principal’s replacement. Rural principal turnover has been trending upward relative to non-rural locations (town, suburban, and urban). This trend is seen both nationally and in Nebraska which is why Dr. Jiangang Xia and doctoral student Sam Butler from the Educational Administration (EDAD) Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are working on a series of research projects to understand rural school principal burnout, turnover and retention. These projects will provide evidence and support to future grant funded rural school leadership development for both current and aspiring principals.

Based on the National Principal and Teacher Survey (NTPS) data, Dr. Xia and his team found that rural schools have consistently shown the highest percentage of principals leaving the profession between 2012-13 and 2016-17 (see Chart 1). Reasons for rural principal turnover are broad and in some cases are unique to the districts in which the principals work, but the trend is clear.

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NCSA TODAY FALL 2022

Traditionally, rural school principals are paid less than their non-rural counterparts. The NTPS data did show that between 2007-08 and 2017-18, both male and female rural principals presented a higher desire to leave for a higher paying job than non-rural principals of the same gender (see chart 2).

Besides, rural principals also showed a greater desire to transfer schools relative to non-rural principals of the same gender and they appeared to feel less enthusiasm about the profession than non-rural principals.

Thus, in general rural principals fare worse than nonrural principals in the important factors of stress and disappointment, job satisfaction, intent to move and leave, and enthusiasm about the profession. The findings make us wonder whether these factors contribute to rural principals’ greater rates of exiting the profession. Dr. Xia and his team are exploring the connections.

These projects, along with many others (e.g., Lead Nebraska, Growth-Oriented Leadership Development (GOLD), NE CARE Hub) demonstrate the efforts of the EDAD Department to strengthen rural school Leadership development and address principal retention/shortage. If interested in partnering, please reach out to the Department (Drs. Nick Pace at nick.pace@unl. edu, Scott Sturgeon at ssturgeon2@unl.edu, or Jiangang Xia at jxia@unl.edu) and be on the lookout for Nebraska faculty attending and presenting at administrative events throughout the state. ■

PA RT NERSHI P Chart 1

Chart 2

FALL 2022 NCSA TODAY

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Oct. 5-6

Labor Relations – Cornhusker Marriott – Lincoln, NE

Oct. 13-14

Nebraska MTSS Summit – YCC North – Kearney, NE

Oct. 18-19

Safety and Security Conference – Holiday Inn – Kearney, NE

Nov. 2

Emerging Superintendents Workshop – NCSA Offices – Lincoln, NE

Nov. 7

NE Fall Ed Tech Conference – YCC South – Kearney, NE

Nov. 16-18

State Education Conference – CHI Center – Omaha, NE

Dec. 1

Legislative Preview – Cornhusker Marriott – Lincoln, NE

Dec. 7-8 Jan. 28 & Feb. 4 Feb. 9-10 Mar. 29-30 Apr. 12

State Principals Conference – Cornhusker Marriott – Lincoln, NE Emerging Administrators – NCSA Offices – Lincoln, NE NASES Legislative Conference – Cornhusker Marriott – Lincoln Celebrating Women in Leadership – Holiday Inn - Kearney GRIT – Cornhusker Marriott - Lincoln

Apr, 13-14

NASES Spring Conference – Courtyard Marriott - Lincoln

Apr. 19-21

NASBO State Convention – Cornhusker Marriott – Lincoln

July 26-28

Administrators’ Days – Younes Conf. Center – Kearney

*Region meeting dates can be found on the NCSA website.

2-3 large group trainings across Nebraska

Participate Participateininaa3-year 3-year

Growth-Oriented Growth-OrientedLeadership Leadership Development (GOLD) Development (GOLD) grant grantfocused focusedon onrural ruralschool school renewal, teacher/principal renewal, teacher/principal retention retentionand andaagrow growyour yourown own leader model. leader model.

On-site coaching and support for participating principals and teacher teams $7,000 yearly per building to support the implementation of professional development goals and activities Focused on local, building-level priorities

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Mark Beelek mbeelek@futurasecuritygroup.com 601 Old Cheney Road Ste. B Lincoln, NE 68512 402-617-6657

Craig Jones craigjones@fnni.com 1620 Dodge Street, Ste. 1104 Omaha, NE 68197 402-598-1218 fncapitalmarkets.com

Keith Jorgensen keith.jorgensen@horacemann.com 617 Stolley Park Road Grand Island, NE 68801 402-290-3116 horacemann.com

Doug Klute dklute@cheeverconstruction.com 3425 North 44th Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68504 402-477-6745

Clark & Enersen

Steve Miller steve.miller@clarkenersen.com 1010 Lincoln Mall, Ste. #200 Lincoln, NE 68508 402-477-9291 www.clarkenersen.com

CMBA Architects

Troy Keilig keilig.t@cmbaarchitects.com 208 N Pine St, Ste 301 Grand Island, NE 68801 308-384-4444 www.cmbaarchitects.com

Matt O'Gorman matt@beunanimous.com 8600 Executive Woods, Ste. 300 Lincoln, NE 68512 402-423-5447 beunanimous.com

Steve Ott sott@nisbenefits.com 9202 W. Dodge Road, Ste. 302 Omaha, NE 68114 800-627-3660 nisbenefits.com Barry Ballou balloub@pfmam.com 455 So. 11th Street Lincoln, NE 68508 402-705-0350 nlafpool.org

John Baylor john@ontocollege.com P.O. Box 30792 Lincoln, NE 68503 402-475-7737 ontocollege.com

SILVER SPONSORSHIP Cheever Construction

Matt Foertsch mfoertsch@trane.com 11937 Portal Road, Ste. 100 LaVista, NE 68128 402-718-0721 www.tranetechnologies.com

BRONZE SPONSORSHIP Crouch Recreation, Inc. Eric Crouch nicole@crouchrec.com 1309 S 204th Street #330 Elkhorn, Ne 68022 402-496-2669 www.crouchrec.com

Piper Sandler & Company

Jay Spearman Jay.Spearman@psc.com 11422 Miracle Hills Drive, Ste 408 Omaha, NE 68154 402-599-0307 www.pipersandler.com

Humanex Ventures

Renaissance

Modern Images

Software Unlimited, Inc.

Brad Black info@humanexventures.com 2900 S 70th Street, Ste. 100 Lincoln, NE 68506 402-486-2158 www.humanexventures.com Bradley Cooper brad@champshots.com 13436 So. 217th Street Gretna, NE 68028 402-991-7786 misportsphotography.com

Heather Miller heather.miller@renaissance.com 2911 Peach Street Wisconsin Rapids, WI 55494 800-338-4204 ext. 4712 renaissance.com Corey Atkinson caa@su-inc.com 5015 S. Broadband Lane Sioux Falls, SD 57108 605-361-2073 su.inc.com

University of Nebraska High School

Shauna Benjamin-Brice highschool@nebraska.edu 206 South 13th Street, Ste. 800 P.O. Box 880226 Lincoln, NE 68588 402-472-1922 highschool.nebraska.edu

Nebraska Council of School Administrators 455 S 11th Street, Suite A • Lincoln, NE 68508-2105 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

PRSRT STD. U. S. POSTAGE PAID LINCOLN, NE PERMIT NO. 951