Warning Signs & Next Steps

Working in a school district, change can happen fast — and not always for the better. Use the following signs to guide you on whether it may be time to move on and how to move forward.

Signs it May Be Time for a Transition

There is a Change in the Atmosphere.

  • New board or district leadership causes you to lose long-standing relationships.
  • Things start getting contentious at board meetings and the blame falls on you (with a lack of support from other leaders.)
  • You are asked to go against your morals and principles.
  • You start hearing gossip around the office, i.e. “You’re the next one to go.”
  • Things happen outside the normal chain of command (Example: Board members start going around the Superintendent to you.)
  • If you see that people are treating you differently, be mindful. (Example: You were previously included in closed session and now you are not, or you’ve noticed that every communication is now email vs. in-person conversation.)
  • You are being micro-managed as a professional or the leadership doesn’t seem to have confidence in you (whether it is their personal history or they don’t feel you are doing your job right).

You Experience a Lack of Balance or High Stress/Anxiety Levels.

  • You feel extreme anxiety like you are constantly walking on eggshells.
  • You know in your gut that something is not right. (Tip: Not ignoring that feeling is key. Most people know on some level that something is going on, but it can be tempting to overthink things and justify the situation.)
  • You lose your work/life balance. Are you happy in your job/life? If not, these could be signs that something isn’t right. 
  • You reach a breaking point. (This could be in the form of a nervous breakdown.) 

How to Carefully Evaluate the Situation

  • Look for hidden meaning. If you have an unusual incident, it is important to evaluate and see what it really means. Try to do a good job but be cautious and watch out for what could be happening. 
  • Ask, “Is this the norm?” If you are experiencing contentious board meetings, talk with someone outside the situation, invite him or her to a board meeting and ask them if this is something they’ve encountered.
  • Trust your intuition and then inquire. Whether it is to the Superintendent or a board member, reach out and ask, “Am I meeting your expectations? I was under the impression you wanted A, but it seems that’s not what you are looking for...” Ask for some feedback on how you can better meet their needs.
  • Don’t get overly paranoid right away. It is a careful balance but don’t make assumptions. Try to renew your contract early to test the waters, or if you feel comfortable, ask, “Hey I know things aren’t going perfectly, will I be renewed next year?”
  • Always remember your values and ethics. Understand and hold to the code of ethics provided by Illinois ASBO and ASBO International. 

Do you feel like you may be headed toward a career crisis?  
Click here for next steps as you prepare for the worst.

Related Resources

Ethics and Work/Life Balance Resources

Resources to help you evaluate how you are doing in this area and whether it may be time for a change.

learn more

Surviving Leadership Change

An article by John Gibson featured in the Summer 2013 UPDATE Magazine.

read article

Keys to a Smooth Transition

Heed the advice of fellow school business officials to lay a solid foundation from day one.

learn more

Note: The advice and resources included on these web pages are suggestions and should not be considered legal advice. By traversing these pages, you acknowledge that Illinois ASBO assumes no responsibility or legal liability for the actions you take and the resulting consequences. Please consult a qualified attorney for questions related to the legal implications of your actions or advice on contract-related issues.
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