Clearing Landmines.

David Lee's words, in his guest column ("Landmines in the Pathway of the Superintendency," August 2006), ring so true. I've put into action several suggestions he offered with great results since my arrival two years ago.

Although I have experienced some unique challenges and made some mistakes in this role, I recently received a three-year extension to my initial contract. This was made possible through my actions to avoid the landmine issues he raised.

The role of the superintendent seems to change daily, based on the demands of the community and the school board. Lee's comment about underestimating people with small minds in positions of power has been a lesson learned. Every board member sees things through a different lens and responds accordingly.

As someone who reached the superintendency at 35, I would add one piece of advice to budding superintendents: Stay focused on the people around you. Building relationships with members of the community and among cabinet and teachers is vital to one's tenure. We often overlook the pressures we face that are based on time in office or time in the profession. I imagine this goes both ways, affecting school leaders nearing retirement as well as those in the first stage of their career.

DANIEL BRIGMAN Superintendent, Coffee County Public Schools, Manchester, Tenn.