Administrating proves challenging

Much has changed in public education since Dan Neuenswander accepted his first administrative job in 1964.

That’s when he agreed to be the superintendent, a principal and an instructor for three classes in the Longford district.

But what it takes to be an effective school administrator remains the same, he said.

Neuenswander, a former Lawrence superintendent who is now the district’s supervisor of school improvement, said principals must bond with students, teachers and parents and create a sense of unity.

“If people are mad with each other, they won’t sit down and talk with each other about what is important,” he said.

Neuenswander said the principal also must shape a vision for a school and keep people focused on it.

He said it was increasingly difficult to hire good school principals and district superintendents.

“The talent pool … is becoming increasingly shallow,” Neuenswander said. “There are just fewer and fewer people willing to take that responsibility.”