Debra Berntsen

Superintendents are key positions in school districts, not only as educational leaders but also as expert resources and supports for school boards and principals. They oversee budgets and grants, transportation, food services, curriculum, discipline, and more. They are essential to working with our communities and building collaborative, productive educational teams. It is critical that the people filling these positions are experts in public education and not part of the political system. Superintendents absolutely should not be elected and thus beholden to the games of politics and concerns of reelection, but rather carefully selected by the school board to best suit the needs of their district. Equally important is the fact that a single superintendent per county will result in a lack of support, dedicated superintendent time, and resources for EVERY SINGLE DISTRICT. One person cannot possibly have a real presence in every district within a county, much less truly get to know the districts, their individual needs, and be available at any moment for their students and staff. It is an impossibility. . Constrained by time. the role would became reactive instead of proactive, and a disservice to students and families, teachers, and the communities they serve.