This report concentrates on the 300 currently practicing superintendents of schools who manage the largest school districts in New York State exclusive of New York City. The study consisted of analyses of all superintendents' salaries for the 1972-73 and 1973-74 school years, interviews with 10 percent of all practicing superintendents, and reviews of research and literature relating to the superintendency. Findings indicate in part that there is no consistent relationship between superintendents' salaries and staff size, enrollment, operating expenditures, or average family income; more time is spent by superintendents in fiscal management and budget planning than in any other activity; and the average superintendent has less than one year of work experience outside the field of education. As a result of the study, it was recommended that women be provided equal access to school superintendencies, a rational basis for superintendents' salaries be established, legislation be initiated to allow competent candidates (other than educators) to compete for superintendencies, and that steps be taken to assure that graduate programs and inservice training programs be pertinent to current job requirements. A brief bibliography is included. (Author/WM)