Margaret Terry Orr, an associate professor in organization and leadership, said that studies show that superintendents are commonly chosen by headhunters or selection committees who want to duplicate a successful superintendent from the past. This often means that women and minorities have less chance of being hired. "Women and minorities are under-represented in those kinds of informal affiliates," Orr said, referring to a pipeline that sometimes starts in principals' offices or in central administration.

The article, entitled "More Women Taking the Reins in Southwest Suburban Elementary Districts," appeared in the October 26, 2003 edition of the Daily Southtown.

Published Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003