FLORIDA'S APPROACH TO THE SELECTION OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS: PERCEPTIONS OF BOARD MEMBERS AND ADMINISTRATORS IN SELECTED SCHOOL DISTRICTS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived differences in the administration of school districts in Florida which have operated under both an appointed and elected school superintendent. The following questions were investigated: (1) Are appointed or elected school superintendents perceived to be more competent? (2) Are there perceived differences in the administration of public schools of Florida which now have an appointed rather than an elected school superintendent? (3) Are administrators who have served under both elected and appointed superintendents more satisfied with the performance of the appointed superintendent? Tentative guidelines were developed from the literature relating to tasks, areas of responsibility, and administrative and supervisory functions of school superintendents. From the guidelines, an oral interview guide was developed. The oral interview data was used in developing the questionnaire items. Oral interviews were conducted with board members and administrators during the Spring of 1985. Questionnaires were mailed to board members and administrators in the selected districts. The questionnaire data revealed at the.01 level of significance the following information: (1) It was perceived that the appointed superintendents had more professional training than the elected superintendents at a means chi-square of 21.80; (2) It was perceived that the appointed superintendents were better prepared in the area of curriculum development than the elected superintendents at a means chi-square of 16.08; (3) It was perceived that the appointed superintendents possessed more knowledge in the area of personnel selection than the elected superintendents at a means chi-square of 9.92; (4) It was perceived that the appointed superintendents had a better working knowledge of the budget process than the elected superintendents at a means chi-square of 19.80; (5) It was perceived that the appointed superintendents had a better working knowledge of capital outlay than the elected superintendents at a means chi-square of 13.20; (6) It was perceived that the appointed superintendents were better prepared in the area of leadership than the elected superintendents at a means chi-square of 7.50.