An apparent increase in the turnover of superintendents in recent years raises questions as to the possible causes of this situation and as to the characteristics that enhance compatibility between districts and superintendents, encouraging lengthy tenure. A study of 153 public school districts with enrollment between 3,000 and 5,000 attempted to evaluate the effects of superintendents' political and social attitudes on their relationships with their communities. Data were obtained by questionnaire; superintendents were asked to indicate their own feelings, while principals in the same district were asked to assess the attitudes of the local community on the same issues. The results showed that superintendents whose attitudes were congruent with those of their communities were more likely to remain in their positions. When they do move, superintendents tend to seek positions in more urban districts. It is suggested that the amount of education received by superintendents encourages a liberal outlook incompatible with the conservative attitudes of rural communities where superintendents find their first positions. As superintendents move to higher paying jobs in communities with more compatible values, job pressures increase and counteract benefits of attitudinal congruence. Older superintendents display greater conservatism and tend to remain in their positions longer. (PGD)