WITH INCREASED URBANIZATION AND THE ASSOCIATED EMPHASIS ON CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS, THE ONCE-UNCOMPLICATED JOB OF THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT HAS BECOME AN INTRICATE TASK REQUIRING A TALENTED ADMINISTRATOR ASSISTED BY A STAFF SKILLED IN A WIDE VARIETY OF SPECIALTIES. THE ONCE-SIMPLE TASK OF ACQUIRING LAND ON WHICH TO CONSTRUCT NEW FACILITIES HAS NOW BECOME A MAJOR STUMBLING BLOCK IN MANY URBAN AREAS WHERE HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS MAY HAVE TO BE DEALT WITH IN ORDER TO SECURE EVEN MINIMUM NECESSARY LAND. PROVIDED THE NECESSARY REAL ESTATE CAN BE SECURED (WHICH MAY TAKE YEARS), THE SUPERINTENDENT'S JOB HAS ONLY BEGUN. HE IS NOW FACED WITH THE BEWILDERING ARRAY OF ORGANIZATIONS, AGENCIES, AND COMMISSIONS (BOTH STATE AND LOCAL), WHICH CAN BECOME INVOLVED IN EVERY ASPECT OF THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF EVEN THE SMALLEST FACILITY. AT THIS STAGE, THERE CAN BE NO SUBSTITUTE FOR COMPETENT ADVISORY PERSONNEL ON THE SUPERINTENDENT'S STAFF. HE MUST BE MADE AWARE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS CONCERNED--THEIR POWERS, PURPOSES, AND MODES OF OPERATION. LONG-RANGE PLANNING ON THE PART OF THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT, BASED ON COMPETENT ADVICE, HAS PROVEN TO BE THE DECISIVE FACTOR IN ACHIEVING DESIRED OBJECTIVES, THEREBY CHANGING APPARENT ORGANIZATIONAL ROAD BLOCKS INTO VALUABLE EXPEDIENTS. THIS SPEECH WAS DELIVERED AT THE ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF COUNTY AND RURAL AREA SUPERINTENDENTS (15TH, LOUISVILLE, OCTOBER 9-12, 1960). (DA)