Kansas / Missouri Superintendent Leadership Forum

Leadership in and for public schools is a challenging concern as the conditions in which districts operate are increasingly dynamic.  The global knowledge economy and their families are increasingly varied with more special needs than in decades past.  Navigating the pressured demands from parents, students, teachers, and other stakeholders in this very challenging environment requires highly capable manager-leaders.  School districts in Kansas and Missouri, especially those with more diverse populations, are not exempt.

ABOUT KMSLF:  In 1997 the Danforth Foundation and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation launched an effort to build the Missouri Superintendent Forum based on the model of the Forum for the American School Superintendent.  Three years later, the Kauffman Foundation, in partnership with the Kansas Health Foundation developed the Kansas Superintendents Forum.  

In 2004, the Kansas and Missouri Forums began meeting together.  The Danforth Foundation's financial support ended in 2003 as did the Kansas Health Foundation in 2005 and the Kauffman Foundation in 2011.  In 2012 KMSLF established a partnership with the International Center for Leadership in Education and became a 501c3 organization funded by a small fee for participation and individual business partners.

Purpose:  The purpose of the Forum is to improve student learning by assisting superintendents to become more effective leaders.  The purpose or goal has remained unchanged since the inception of the program.

Outcomes:

1. Change in knowledge and skills based on the study and reflection of effective leadership models.
2. A collective voice to influence education on behalf of students and families.
3. Enhance the adaptive capacity of superintendents
4. Effectively lead districts to improve student achievement.
5. Influence the growth and development of leadership within the individual school district

Membership: The KMSLF is made up of approximately 120 superintendents from two states.  The number of participants is equally divided between the two states.  Membership reflects both states’ diversity relative to geography, gender, ethnicity, size, and students.  Forum members have several responsibilities including:

1. Attendance at all Forum meetings
2. Application of learning with principals and district staff
3. Share application of learning among Forum peers
4. Secure district board support for participation

Several assumptions are implicit in the membership model: 

• A two-step change effort:  first for the individual superintendents and then within their organizations
• Content should consider the relationship between superintendents and their school Board members as that significantly influences district operation.
• Healthy, high-quality communications in and among Forum members and districts.

Events & Opportunities:  The Forum conference is held two times a year.   Each annual program is two days in length.  In addition to the regular meetings, there are other activities such as workshops for superintendents and their leadership teams at sites throughout the states.

For information please contact SuptForum@gmail.com