Leading a district to excellence: A study of a district superintendent's leadership through financial crisis

This qualitative case study's goal was to seek to explain how one district superintendent worked cooperatively with all stakeholders in a continuous process of improvement despite four years of the most difficult economic times endured by the school district since the early 1980s. The case study focused specifically on the leadership qualities of one specific district superintendent. The research methods and techniques used included researcher observation, and interviews with the stakeholders, including the superintendent himself. Essential data was gathered from those who worked directly with or under the leadership of the superintendent. The study investigated whether the superintendent's philosophy of leadership and knowledge of both the current and future educational financial picture in Michigan dramatically impacted how he led and worked in conjunction with administrators and other stakeholders in the operation of this school district.