Some observers believe that, to provide more incentives for talented administrators, the position of principal needs to be restructured. McAdams recommends that districts preserve the principal's role of instructional leadership by placing less emphasis on budgetary and legal responsibilities. To do this, districts would need to add support-services personnel. In the Oxnard School District, Superintendent Richard Duarte, with the school board's approval, has placed a coadministrator at each elementary school with an enrollment of 900 or more. Giving principals more authority to make decisions would free them to perform at their highest level of efficiency.
Barker advocates higher salaries for principals and stronger mentoring systems for new principals.
Job sharing is also an option for districts. Two people shouldering the responsibilities can ease the stress and isolation that many administrators may feel.