This issue paper is the first in a series commissioned by the Education Commission of the States on issues relating to superintendent and school-board leadership. The study from which this paper derives builds on earlier studies that focused on characteristics and demographics of the superintendency, and on the status of relations and functions of school boards and superintendents. This paper reviews those earlier studies and focuses on the results of a survey of 175 superintendents judged nationally by their peers to be outstanding. The key finding is that most superintendents (71 percent) agreed that the superintendency is in a state of crisis. This and other findings suggest the following considerations for policymakers: (1) Research is needed to determine what actions superintendents would take to restructure school-board governance; (2) policymakers need to consider means to develop portable, interstate pension and retirement plans; (3) states need to ensure adequate levels of funding; (4) policymakers should explore ways to retain superintendents; (5) research is needed to understand why there are so few women and minorities in the superintendent applicant pool; (6) research is needed to ascertain the political preferences of superintendents and school-board members; and (7) policymakers should investigate ways to decrease turnover in school boards. (WFA)