Curriculum
One area of specialization for an assistance school superintendent is curriculum. When operating in this arena, an assistance superintendent is charged with curriculum development as well as oversight. In a particularly larger school district, these types of job duties may be broken down even further. An assistant superintendent may be assigned to oversee and manage curriculum for primary and middle grades while another person serving as an assistant superintendent does the same for high school students.
Finance
Another commonplace specialization for an assistant superintendent is district finance. An assistant superintendent involved in this type of specialty assists in developing a district-wide budget. In addition, an assistant superintendent with a finance charge works with appropriate committees of the district board of education to ensure that an annual budget reflects established spending priorities. An assistant superintendent for finance is not only likely to be a part of a larger school district but also a smaller on in what is described as an affluent district by Forbes.
Personnel
Another area of specialty for an assistant superintendent is personnel. An assistant superintendent working in this area typically deals with a full spectrum of personnel-related matters. These include hiring, firing, tenure-issues, salary and benefits, employee grievances, and other issues. Because personnel issues can become legally challenging in some circumstances, an assistant superintendent for personnel likely work closely with district legal counsel. Finally, an assistant superintendent working in this area is apt to be the principal administrator designated to develop overall district personnel policies to be adopted by the school board.
Public, Community, Press Relations
Yet another area of specialization for an assistant superintendent is public, community, and press relations. Because of the specialized nature of these types of work, an assistant superintendent providing this assistance is apt to have been drawn from the media, a marketing firm, or a public relations agency. A primary focus on experience in the education arena oftentimes is not the primary focus when a specialist to serve as an assistant superintendent in these areas is sought.
Facility Management
By definition and design, facilities are integral components of the operation of school districts. The larger the district, the more buildings to content with. As a result, larger school districts oftentimes do rely upon a person to serve in the role of assistant superintendent overseeing facilities and facility management.
Safety and Security
Finally, in this day and age, safety and security are prime concerns in elementary, middle, and high schools. Consequently, an area of specialization for an assistant superintendent in a growing number of districts in the country is safety and security.
