The other day, a friend sent me a LinkedIn post written by Will Smith.  Not the Fresh Prince of Bel Aire Will Smith, who took fame to a whole new level when he cuffed a grown man on a stage with millions of people watching…and got away with it.  This Will Smith is the Superintendent of Schools in the West Bolivar Consolidated School District.  West Bolivar is a small school district in northwestern Mississippi. Well, he is the Superintendent, seemingly until October 20, 2023.  Dr. Smith announced his resignation from his post on LinkedIn – and now the district’s website has a blank next to the Superintendent on their staffing page.

At the same time, Will was named to the Top 40 Under 40 by Jackson State University; he posted pictures of himself getting an IV and wrote that the stress of his job was the reason for his resignation.  Smith was the 12th Superintendent of Schools in West Bolivar since 2014.  So, the next Superintendent will be the 13th person to roll their career dice in just nine years. 

From what I can see, this story is really sad.  I did some poking around and found the posts Dr. Smith put up when he first took the job.  There are pictures of him online with a huge smile – and energy that transcended the screen in words, hashtags, and accolades from colleagues for his very young career accomplishments.  So, what the hell happened?  I don’t know – and I want to know.  Don’t you?

I’d bet Will would agree that the Superintendent of Schools job description is missing a few bullets.  Every district looking for a Superintendent has a job posting that calls upon an innovative leader, team builder, and collaborator who supports the district’s mission and goals.  The reality is that the job description should include bullets, such as…

High Expectations - Be accountable for everything that happens on your watch, including, but not limited to, test scores, budget constraints, managing staff, roofing, HVAC, and other projects.  I know one Superintendent who had a board member text him on a Saturday evening to let him know when a window was left open at one of their district’s schools.  He had to temporarily depart an event with friends to find a staff person to go to the school and close the window. 

Managing Diverse Stakeholder Interests – It is a tricky balance.  There are those in school communities who prefer small class sizes, hire the best of the best when it comes to teachers, and want the newest, best, high-powered technology.  And, in the very same room where the budget debate happens, others would prefer larger class sizes and think educators are overpaid. 

Political Pressures – To put this better, I should say…in the crossfire.  Superintendents in this country have been held to public account for having outdated books in their libraries that say things people don’t like anymore.  Fistfights have been breaking out in School Committee Meetings across the country on topics that deal with diversity, race, bias, and religion. 

Keep Up – Stuff is happening fast. Don’t say the words Colombus Day anymore.  The story of Nina the Pinta and the Santa Maria has been updated – and it ain’t good anymore.  And a couple of more things – no more Little Mermaid, no more Pinocchio, and should you accidentally say the word Christmas – remember to apologize.

Personal Attacks - Unfortunately, criticism can sometimes become personal. The anonymity of the internet has made it easier for individuals to voice their grievances without fear of repercussions. Superintendents are now subjected to online trolling, baseless accusations, and personal attacks, which can be emotionally draining and damaging to their professional reputations. 

Will, if you are reading this, know that there are thousands of us out there.  The role of a school superintendent is not for the faint of heart. The pressure to deliver results, meet stakeholder expectations, and navigate the complex world of education politics can sometimes be overwhelming. However, we must remember that, in many cases, the criticism and attacks are not a reflection of the superintendent's capabilities but rather a manifestation of the high stakes and passions involved in shaping our children's education.

Aside from the toughness above, the Superintendent’s job is the greatest in the world.  We get to play a vital role in shaping the future of education and, by extension, the future of our society. Like anybody doing any job – Superintendents want to be supported.  But don’t take that to sound like a complaint.  Some of us like to be challenged by constructive dialogue (try to be respectful, though) and different ideas. 

To Will…

Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible, and suddenly, you’re doing the impossible.

– Francis of Assisi