Public leadership has to do with managing media relations, communicating with constituents, and developing coalitions. Instructional leadership consists of establishing a clear vision for teaching and learning, ensuring equity and access for all students, creating safe learning environments, providing professional development opportunities, supporting effective curriculum and practice, making effective use of instructional technologies, and using accountability measures to spur student achievement. Montgomery stressed the importance of the school board as policymaker and the superintendent as being in charge of district operations. But the public doesn't understand the role of the board member, she notes. Community residents often turn to a board member to fix a problem they have with a particular school.
Governance models The task force report discusses several models of school district leadership.
Under this team approach, which is used in San Diego, the superintendent is responsible for management issues, such as district politics, union relations, and bond issues. The chancellor of instruction controls all matters relating to teaching and learning. Districts should design and install failsafe systems for recruiting and holding on to top-quality leaders. School boards should try to make the job more attractive. Excessively intrusive laws on financial disclosure should be modified.