Just what does a Superintendent of Schools do?

I don't know what keeps other Superintendents up at night, but I do know the things are always on my mind- and, I suspect, most school superintendents have the same worries and concerns.  Of course, every one of us have things we worry about in our daily lives- whether it be our kids, a family member's health, money, the need for a new car and so many other things!  Please don't think I am minimizing these real concerns faced by our families on a day to day basis. I am writing this because of a question I always hear (even from my own family!),  "Just what does a Superintendent do?"

So, in no particular order (except for the first item!), here's a list of some of the things I might handle on a daily basis, some of which also keep me up at night:

• Student and staff safety
•  Assuring a high quality education for students
• Our homeless families
• Students without warm clothing or food
• Weather issues (snow, ice, floods!)
• Building maintenance
• Finances and unexpected expenses
• Maintaining a culture of respect and acceptance at all three schools
• Providing students with skills applicable to a successful future
• Assessment results
• Maintaining communication with all stakeholders
• Keeping our quality teachers 
• Staff morale
• Student morale
• Improving reading scores 
• Scheduling issues
• Student use of drugs and alcohol
• Transportation routes and issues
• Legal issues
• Professional Development opportunities for staff
• Injuries to staff or students
• Contract negotiations
• Insurance
• Teacher certification
• Parent concerns
• Working with the town and other agencies
• Analyzing data
• Union matters
• Student progress towards graduation
• Bullying complaints
• Keeping track of all the federal and state education requirements and laws
• Writing competencies
• Report Cards
• Substitutes
• Hiring
• Finding creative ways to preserve all the wonderful things that make our schools special
• Discipline issues
• Students with special needs 
• Portables at the elementary school
• Supplies for our teachers and students
• Internet use by staff and students
• Evaluations
• Teacher concerns

OK, that's enough. This is a full time job and, like any job, there's no one definitive list of what needs to be done.   Please don't take this as a list of complaints- I love my job!  Everyday is another opportunity to solve a puzzle or problem- it's in my nature (and my science background, I think) to create solutions and make things "right" for our students, staff, and district.  That is why I enjoy being your superintendent so much.  I hope I have at least partially answered the question:  Just what does a Superintendent do!