Publication Date
8-2025
Date of Final Oral Examination (Defense)
4-18-2025
Type of Culminating Activity
Dissertation
Degree Title
Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
Department
Curriculum, Instruction and Foundational Studies
Supervisory Committee Chair
Keith Thiede, Ph.D.
Supervisory Committee Member
Heather Williams, Ph.D.
Supervisory Committee Member
Jennifer Snow, Ph.D.
Abstract
This descriptive multi-case study examines superintendent turnover and hiring practices in rural Idaho school districts to identify factors influencing leadership stability. The study addresses the central research question: What factors influence the hiring process of district superintendents in high- and low-turnover school districts? Using semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and a comparative examination of two districts—one with high superintendent turnover and one with low turnover—this research explores the structural and governance factors shaping retention.
Findings indicate that low-turnover districts develop internal leadership pipelines, promote certified staff to administrative roles, and systematically engage community stakeholders in hiring decisions. These practices foster leadership continuity, cultural alignment, and proactive governance. In contrast, high-turnover districts rely on external hires, lack structured succession planning, and exhibit reactive governance, resulting in frequent leadership disruptions and strained board-superintendent relationships.
This study underscores the importance of grow-your-own leadership programs, collaborative decision-making, and stakeholder engagement in reducing superintendent turnover. Policymakers and school boards can improve retention by providing financial and professional support for administrator certification, establishing more apparent governance protocols, and soliciting broad-based community input during superintendent searches.
While focused on rural Idaho, these findings offer broader implications for rural districts facing leadership instability. School boards can mitigate turnover, strengthen district culture, and enhance student outcomes by prioritizing internal capacity-building and structured governance.
DOI
10.18122/td.2406.boisestate
Recommended Citation
Frank, Scott, "Hiring Practices and Superintendent Turnover in Rural Idaho: Examining Factors That Influence Leadership Stability" (2025). Boise State University Theses and Dissertations. 2406.
10.18122/td.2406.boisestate