If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It

Abstract

This case uncovers the balance between school culture and academic success that school leaders must consider while leading their schools. New school leaders as well as experienced leaders transitioning into new buildings find that each school has its own distinctive culture. The existing culture and ethos of a school must be considered as leaders gauge the need for short-term and long-term improvements. This must be balanced with the experiences and expectations brought by the leader that have the ability to create positive change. This transition process should not be taken lightly, and administrators should carefully observe what traditions their new school communities value when considering what change needs to be incorporated. This case uncovers the need for new building principals to reflect and analyze background data, both qualitative and quantitative, prior to mandating change in their building. In that sense, it gives aspiring leaders an opportunity to reflect on leadership style and whether there is an opportunity to contextualize that style.