The Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) is looking to prepare more educators to lead school districts across the state as Tennessee faces a shortage of superintendent candidates.¶
According to a recent announcement, the association is encouraging educators and administrators to apply for the Prospective Superintendent Academy, described as a “yearlong program designed to prepare potential candidates for superintendent positions in Tennessee’s public schools.” The announcement said the program will be operated by the TSBA and Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents, and will provide intensive “preparation for the challenging job of being a public-school superintendent.”¶
The announcement said that while anyone can apply for the program, candidates who are currently Tennessee educators and are recommended by their employing school board will be given preference for admission. A group of up to 12 candidates will attend 14 days of training covering a variety of topics that will be supplemented by web-based instruction and an evaluation session.¶
The announcement added that the program will be led by Tennessee’s “top educational leaders and other experts in the field.” Course topics will include the role of superintendents in strategic planning, leadership, relationships with school boards and other governing bodies, school finance, school law, use of technology, negotiation strategies, college and career readiness, and evaluation processes, among other subjects.¶
The academy sessions will take place in Nashville, Tennessee at the TSBA Headquarters on March 28, March 29, June 23-27, July 21–25, Sept. 26, Sept. 27, Dec. 2, and Dec. 3, with the last dates set aside for candidate interviews and evaluations.¶
The deadline for submitting application materials is February 1, 2025. Tuition is $2,500 and is payable by March 24, 2025.¶
For more information on the academy, visit www.tsba.net.¶
