The Hero Maker: How Superintendents Can Get Their School Boards to Do the Right Thing

by Ryan Donlan, Todd Whitaker

Overview

Learn how to turn your school board members into heroes by helping them make smart, worthwhile decisions they will deserve to brag about. In this much-needed book, Ryan Donlan and Todd Whitaker offer practical strategies to help superintendents develop better working relationships with their boards.

You’ll discover how to:

· reconnect board members to the real purpose of education, despite their personal agendas

· work with your board more effectively during meetings and at times in between

· guide board members into more productive roles when they overreach beyond policymaking

· connect and communicate with board members regardless of personal disposition.

Each chapter contains hero-making tips to help you get started. In addition, this timely second edition features a new chapter on navigating the superintendent–board president relationship. With this practical book, you’ll be able to overcome the challenges of the superintendent–board relationship so that your board can make better decisions for those who matter most—the students.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781041012078
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/30/2025
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	130
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Ryan Donlan is a Professor of Educational Leadership at Indiana State University and specializes in school leadership, governance, and team performance, with books for board members, superintendents, principals, assistant principals, and teachers, including Uncommon Sense for New Teachers: A Good Beginning is Half the Work. 

Todd Whitaker is a Research Professor at the University of Missouri. He is a leading presenter in the field of education and has written 65 books, including the national best seller, What Great Teachers Do Differently. 

Table of Contents

1. The Hero Maker 2. Constituencies 3. The Board of Education 4. The Superintendent as the Shield 5. The Care and Feeding of Board Members 6. Board Meetings 7. Between Board Meetings 8. The Superintendent–Board President Relationship 9. Advancing, by Retreating 10. Board Personalities 11. Starting Undefeated 12. The Tour of Duty

Editorial Reviews

"The Hero Maker gets to the heart of the board/superintendent relationship—quickly and with influence. Donlan and Whitaker remind us that as superintendents we serve as our boards’ first teachers. The authors give cogent examples of what that looks like in practice—and how purposeful efforts make huge differences in focusing the work on what matters. A must read for new and experienced superintendents alike."—Karen Rue, Senior Associate, N2Learning; 2016 President, Urban Superintendents of America Association; Past-President, Texas Association of School Administrators

"The superintendent sits on an island. That island can become very lonely. The relationship forged between board and district leader is essential to getting off that island and leading the district in a direction that is best for students, parents, staff, and community members. Donlan and Whitaker provide a practical guide to address a multitude of issues that arise during the superintendency. The Hero Maker helps administrators empower those around them, while still maintaining the delicate balance needed to move a district forward."—Joe Sanfelippo, Superintendent, Fall Creek School District, WI

"This book is full of practical tips that provide insight that would benefit new superintendents or even the most seasoned veteran. Donlan and Whitaker do an excellent job of providing easy-to-implement, concrete tips to make every board member feel and act like a hero. Additionally, the book could serve as a great resource to help a board member better understand the broad context of everything their vital job entails."—PJ Caposey, Superintendent, Meridian CUSD 223, Stillman Valley, IL

"Superintendent and school board relationships are a critical component to successful school corporations. Yet for all the importance intertwined in this relationship, few resources or training guides exist on how to maneuver and succeed through these complex relationships. The Hero Maker by Donlan and Whitaker is a crucial resource for the beginning or highly experienced school superintendent. Donlan and Whitaker’s common sense approach for superintendents to build relations, avoid pitfalls, and communicate efficiently and successfully provides a path for long-term and successful relationships of superintendents with their school board members."—David Hoffert, PhD, Superintendent, Warsaw Community Schools, IN

"The Hero Maker is a must read for superintendents who want to excel at working with their school boards. Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with board members is paramount for any superintendent who desires to effectively lead a school district. In this book, Donlan and Whitaker provide practical and relevant strategies that can be implemented by superintendents at large and small districts alike to help guide school boards to operate in a manner that will be beneficial to students and the community at large. I highly recommend this book from these two influential educational leaders."—Rob Moorhead, Superintendent, South Ripley Community School Corporation, Versailles, IN

From the Publisher