Women Administrators: One District's Success Story Judy Cooper

Abstract

IN 1976-76, when eight of the 46 administrators (17.4%) in White Bear Lake, Minn., were women, the school board decided to set generous affirmative action goals which would, in addition to increasing the number of female administrators, call for a rigorous review of hiring procedures. The goal adopted called for an increase to 29 percent by 1979-80, which would have been 12.9 female administrators if the administrative staff had remained at 46. In fact, during these four years, through three rounds of budget cuts, the board reduced the administrative staff by 10 percent. There are presently 41.5 administrators in the district. In spite of this reduction, the number of women administrators has increased by 4.6. Currently, we have a total of 41.5 administrators, of which 12.5 are female.