Bunting discusses AASA nomination, school district

As superintendent of Indian River School District, Dr. Susan Bunting works to serve nearly 8,800 students and 1,100 employees. And, this month, Bunting’s leadership was recognized when she was named one of four finalists for National Superintendent of the Year honors.

Bunting

The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) chose the national finalists, also representing Nevada, North Carolina and Virginia, from among 49 state winners. The National Superintendent of the Year will be announced at the AASA National Conference on Education on Feb. 16 in Houston, Texas.

“It’s a great honor for the district,” said Charles Bireley, president of the IRSD school board. “If she gets it, it’ll be greatly deserved because she is the hardest working person that you’ve ever seen.”

“It’s quite an accomplishment just to be a finalist,” said Scott Reihm, executive director of Delaware Association of School Administrators. “You’re talking about all 50 states and other places. She’s got a good chance, because she’s got an impressive résumé. It’s really exciting, and she really deserves the honor.”

No Delaware superintendent has ever won the National Superintendent of the Year award, and Reihm said there have been no finalists in recent years, and perhaps ever.

As a finalist, Bunting attended a two-day conference in January in Washington, D.C., where she was interviewed at the National Press Club by a national blue-ribbon selection panel of educators, businesspeople and government officials.

“I see the superintendency as an instructional leadership position, and that is something that is near and dear to my heart,” she said. “That’s my background.”

Bunting earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and elementary education from American University, a master’s degree in education from Salisbury University and a doctorate in education leadership from the University of Delaware.

She came to the IRSD in 1977, after six years as a teacher and curriculum writer in Maryland. Bunting taught language arts at Selbyville Middle School and then gifted students in grades 1 to 6, eventually winning district Teacher of the Year for 1984-1985. She became supervisor of elementary instruction for the district in 1991, stepping up to become district director of instruction in 1996.

Under her leadership, the school district has seen much success. In 2011, IRSD students earned top scores in the Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System, and all 14 IRSD schools were ranked “Superior” in Delaware’s accountability system. The district was selected as one of the original participants in Delaware’s Vision 2015 initiative and has become a trailblazer in Delaware’s Race to the Top.

But in Indian River School District, students aren’t the only learners. Bunting said the district has risen to the forefront of academic leadership because of professional development programs, which strengthen education through teachers, classrooms and administrators. As top administrator for the district, Bunting oversees and often leads these programs.

“Our students are doing very well. You’ve seen it with our test scores. But we also have become recognized as leaders,” she said of the district’s professional development. “I believe in that constant development of our people in leadership positions, as well as training teachers to make sure they’re doing their very best for the students in their classroom.”

Bunting herself has attended many programs, including Harvard’s Principals’ Academy and the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. She has also won University of Delaware’s Outstanding Alumni Awards, AASA’s Civic Star Award, NSBA’s Magna Award and Delaware Superstars in Education recognition.

A district superintendent fills a variety of roles. Besides managing staff, Bunting is responsible for budgets, grievances and district accountability. She also represents IRSD when interacting with numerous organizations, including government and the Department of Education. From daily work to national projects, Bunting truly has a multifaceted job at Indian River.

Perhaps most importantly, she leads the district’s mission to improve academic performance and prepare students for real-world careers and college, while keeping them safe and healthy.

Her goal is not just to produce lifelong learners, she said, “but healthy lifelong learners, ready to be able to give back to their communities, as their community supported them growing up, helping them prepare for the future. It’s a global kind of thing.”

She also said she hopes to further expand the district’s relationship with staff, parents and community, for the students’ benefit.

“Deep in our souls, we are dedicated to students, and anything we do is for the good of the students,” Bunting said. “Sometimes I have to tell my staff members that, too. I’m not here to serve staff members. I’m here to serve students.”

Bunting said she believes a misconception of any school district is that people don’t always “do their homework before they draw conclusions,” especially if they have preconceived ideas based on their own schooldays.

“I want people to think that we’re transparent,” she said. “Please just call up and ask, rather than assume something. Communication is the key.”

Better communication can lead to better understanding, and it’s just one aspect of an administrator’s broad and never-ending job.

“We kind of laugh when people say ‘24/7.’ It’s almost a 25/8 thing,” said Bunting, who kept contact with the district via phone and Internet during her D.C. trip.

Bunting described herself as a team player who believes strongly in collaboration. But, at the end of the day, Bunting is responsible for the district’s actions and success. So what keeps her coming back day after day?

“People.”

Bunting said she feels responsible for the IRSD doing its best and feels that it is doing so because people are the motivation.

“I totally enjoy being with students. I very much respect our staff members. I know them well,” Bunting said.

From the students to the administrators, Bunting said she cares deeply for the community.

“These are good people,” she said. “I want them to have the best opportunities that they can have for our children, and I believe that’s for the future of our community.”

After 30 years of service, Bunting could easily find another executive job, but, she said, “I’m not planning to go, let’s put it that way. I serve the people of this district, and I do that with pride and humility.”