The Superintendents Leadership Network was initiated in 1997 by the BellSouth Foundation to offer a high-profile response to the need in the Southeast for a focus on leadership development in the region’s public school districts. The uniqueness of this network lay in its focus on district-level leadership; the network was launched with the understanding that strong school-site leadership, while essential for successful schools and high-achieving students, would last only as long as the school district could support, sustain, nurture, and continually develop that leadership. Thanks to support from Cisco, the SLN evolved from a regional presence to a national one. Currently the Network is sustained with membership fees.
We are pleased to be launching our 27th year of the Superintendents Leadership Network (SLN). While the context for public education has changed dramatically, the need for superintendents to have access to intellectually stimulating learning experiences has not changed. We have heard many times from superintendents that the SLN provides them with the best professional development they have experienced. However, it is not only the content that is valued by SLN members; it is also the opportunity to learn from one another.
Each SLN institute is designed using the same frameworks we make available to educators to use in the design of engaging work for both students and adults. We always start a new SLN design with a guiding question: What can superintendents learn from this experience to help them be better leaders in their districts? When field trips are involved, we ask another question: What can superintendents learn from how this organization does its business?
SLN institutes for 2024 are listed below. These are private meetings and are open only to SLN members and their guests. Members will be notified via e-mail when logistics are finalized for each Institute.
INSTITUTE REGISTRATION
April 23–25, 2025, Charlotte, North Carolina
Our session will open on Wednesday, April 23. This SLN institute will be held at the Doubletree Charlotte City Center with a field trip to NASCAR. Our opening meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m. at the hotel, followed by an opening member dinner. Thursday we’ll board the bus for a field trip to several NASCAR facilities. Our institute will conclude on Friday, April 25 by 11:30 a.m. Please join us for breakfast that morning and activities to synthesize our learning from the many speakers and visits we’ll have had over the course of the institute.
Conference Hotel:
DoubletreeCharlotte City Center
230 North College Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
The conference nights are April 23 and 24, checking out on April 25. To make a reservation by phone or to get assistance with an existing reservation, please call the onsite reservation manager at 980-595-7808 between the hours of 8AM - 4PM, Monday-Friday. The ONLINE Group Code: 92G. When calling the hotel to make reservations, guests must identify themselves as members of the Schlechty Center.
If you are an All-Inclusive Member, Nicole will book the required room nights when you register. If you need additional days, please be sure to indicate that in the registration form or to contact Nicole directly at nbigg@schlechtycenter.org. If you are a PAGE-sponsored superintendent, please coordinate hotel/travel through Bill McCown.
SAVE THE DATE
July 8–11, 2025, Palm Beach, Florida
Logistics: We will begin on Tuesday, July 8, at 4:00 p.m. with a reception immediately following the opening session. Our institute will conclude by 11:30 a.m. on Friday.
October 22–24, 2025, Location TBD
Logistics: We will begin on Wednesday, October 22, at 4:00 p.m. with a dinner immediately following the opening session. Our institute will conclude by 11:30 a.m. on Friday.
“What your organization and the leaders populating this network are doing is among the finest work in the nation. It was so great to hear from those behind the scenes and in the trenches and not those talking heads who have for too long been the message makers.”
Through years of working with districts and schools, the Schlechty Center has come to understand that significant long-term change in public education is best supported through the efforts of collaborative networks of committed school districts, school leaders, or education organizations.