Sixty Second Democracy

Dr. Nicholas Diaz, a superintendent, discusses his path to becoming a superintendent and the role of a superintendent in education. He emphasizes the importance of school culture and how it impacts student achievement. Dr. Diaz also explains the process of setting the vision for education through strategic planning and community engagement. He shares challenges and achievements in his role, including addressing the impact of COVID-19 on student learning.

Additionally, he discusses the challenges of being a shared superintendent between two districts and the interactions with various stakeholders. Dr. Diaz highlights the influence and limitations of a superintendent and the impact of national politics on education. He also touches on the implementation of mandates and budget cuts, as well as the reliance on grants for school funding. In this conversation, Nick Diaz, a superintendent of two school districts, discusses the challenges of budgeting and funding in education.

He explains the restrictions on budget increases and the need to find grants to cover growth. Diaz also highlights the impact of growing school districts on class sizes and the need for additional funding. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships and humility in leadership. Diaz shares his experiences in mentoring and developing school administrators and the role of the board of education in managing superintendents. He concludes by expressing appreciation for educators and board members.

Takeaways

• School culture plays a crucial role in student achievement and overall well-being.
• Strategic planning and community engagement are essential for setting the vision for education.
• Superintendents face challenges in managing multiple districts and balancing time.
• Interactions with various stakeholders, including parents, PTA, and local officials, are important for effective leadership.
• School funding and budget cuts can impact resources and student outcomes. Budget restrictions and the need for grants pose challenges for school districts in meeting their financial needs.
• Growing school districts face the challenge of maintaining class sizes and hiring more teachers.
• Some school districts need to go to a vote to increase their budget beyond the 2% cap.
• Superintendents need to have humility, build relationships, and have genuine care for students and staff.
• Non-educator board members can bring valuable perspectives and skills to the management of school districts.