91心頭

type here...
Subscribe

Snapshot: Are superintendents enjoying their jobs?

Leadership
By: Micah Ward

Date:

Share post:

Between 2023 and 2025, stress levels among superintendents have declined. At the same time, a smaller percentage say they enjoy their jobs.

According to the latest available data published by the , only 53% of superintendents agree that the stress and disappointments of the job are worth it, down from 59% in both 2023 and 2024.

The figures change dramatically when comparing large and small districts. Seventy-two percent of large district superintendents have positive feelings toward their jobs, compared to 74% the year prior.

As for small district superintendents, just 47% enjoy their jobs, compared to 57% in 2024.

Meanwhile, superintendents’ stress levels are improving, despite mixed feelings about their jobs. This is especially true among small district leaders. Below is a ranking of superintendents’ current top stressors compared to 2024.

  1. District budget: 68% (2025) vs. 71% (2024)
  2. Students’ mental health: 61% (2025) vs. 68% (2024)
  3. Staffing shortages: 49% (2025) vs. 65% (2024)
  4. Educators’ mental health: 47% (2025) vs. 61% (2024)
  5. Intrusion of political issues and opinions: 61% (2025) vs. 60% (2024)
  6. Students’ academic performance: 48% (2025) vs. 48% (2024)
  7. State accountability requirements: 34% (2025) vs. 44% (2024)
  8. Quality of instruction: 29% (2025) vs. 41% (2024)
  9. Community relations: 18% (2025) vs. 35% (2024)
  10. Physical safety in our schools: 18% (2025) vs. 30% (2024)
  11. School board relations/pressure: 30% (2025) vs. 26% (2024)
  12. Teachers’ union relations: 10% (2025) vs. 15% (2024)
  13. Community violence: 2% (2025) vs. 8% (2024)

Superintendents were also asked which activities take up most of their time in 2025. Their top three answers were: district budgeting (68%), students’ mental health (61%) and staffing shortages (49%), which align with their top-ranked job stressors.

However, superintendents would rather be spending their time on instruction and gathering data about their schools, the research adds. Instead, they’re obligated to manage school facility operations, communicate with school board members, manage finances and communicate with politicians and the media, all of which they wish to spend less time on.

For a more detailed look at the data, view the full report .

More from 91心頭: 3 ways schools are reversing math declines

Previous article
How to guide students as tech evolves ‘every minute’
Next article
Ranking the best public universitiesand more
Micah Ward
Micah Ward
Micah Ward is the editor at District 91心頭istration. His coverage focuses heavily on education technology, artificial intelligence and innovative district leaders. He has a master's degree in journalism from the University of Alabama.

The Always-On Insight and Networking Platform for Superintendents and Their Teams

AI-driven insights peer-to-peer collaboration and more build exclusively fot K-12 Superintendents and thier leaders
Built for the uniqueness of the superintendent role and their supporting team.Most platforms treat all K12 leaders the same. 91心頭+ recognizes that superintendents face a unique level of pressure, complexity, visibility, and responsibilityand gives them a space designed specifically for the demands of the top job.
A community where you dont have to explain the context.Skip the backstory. 91心頭+ understands the job, the politics, the stakes, and the pace.
Your decisions shape communities.Find the tools and peer insight to make them with confidence here.
Leadership tailored to the realities of running a district.From board relations to budgets, crisis response to community trust91心頭+ focuses on the challenges only superintendents navigate each day.
Built for superintendents.Powered by superintendents. Trusted by superintendents. If you run a district, you belong here.

Related Articles

222 Lakeview Ave Suite 800 West Palm Beach FL 33401

息 2025. District 91心頭istration. All rights reserved.