A heart-rending and even shocking account of the price men and women pay to make a difference in the lives of children. The Dark Side of Educational Leadership shows the heart of devotion and the heart of determination; this book also shows the heart of darkness. It should be required reading for every teacher, administrator, and Board of Education member.

Linda Arthur, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at Georgia Southern University

Polka and Litchka have done a creditable job of identifying the type of assistance a superintendent under fire needs and also ways a sitting superintendent can guard again being blindsided by a renegade or newly elected majority school board. This book should be a reading must for superintendents regardless of how secure they may feel or be at the present time.

Glen I. Earthman

The authors' style of writing will make this an easy read for the busy administrator. The well-crafted scenarios are the real-world experiences of superintendents. Superintendent turnover and board turnover are critical issues in the lives of superintendents. The authors clearly articulate these critical issues....

Marilyn L. Grady, Professor of Educational Administration, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Great book. It is apparent that all educational leadership programs involved in the development of district level administrators must include this book in their arsenal of instructional materials. The superintendency is a challenging profession, and students need a clear picture of the realities and guideposts identified in this publication to overcome the forces of evil pressuring a school district's CEO.

Carelton R. Holt, assistant department head of curriculum and instruction in the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas

It is a good read, an easy read, but insightful and meaningful. I'm sure that all currently sitting superintendents will want to read it. Great work! The themes in the book certainly mirror Gardner's latest book about the five minds for leadership. The ethics theme is of particular note!

Linda K. Lemasters, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for Educational Leadership and Administration at The George Washington University

These former school superintendents have put together a superb book that should serve as an excellent resource for educators in search of their initial superintendent of schools position as well as experienced superintendents. Every educator aspiring to become a public school superintendent must read this book.

Mike Bitar, Retired Battle Creek Michigan Superintendent of Schools