As a result of declining enrollment and unionization of teachers, administrators are losing their roles as educational leaders. They must be innovative in order to reassert their prerogatives over decisions on such issues as class size, transfer limitations, and the selection of new employees and to promote a better educational climate in the midst of shrinking resources. Administrators may need to redesignate course length and content in terms of better teacher utilization, redesign leave of absence and early retirement policies, and bargain for hiring practices that allow for a part-time or adjunct staff. Interdistrict sharing of teachers and staggered work hours (prime-time staffing) could help in eliminating nonproductive time. Perhaps principals should be instituted as members of the district management negotiating team in order to utilize their intimate knowledge of working conditions. Other ways to cut expenses include the introduction of past practices not specifically referred to in previous contracts as negotiation subjects, and subcontracting for specialized services. In addition, administrators might consider the elimination of graduated equivalent ranks on salary schedules. (WD)