A very difficult game indeed: Managerial practices of California school district chief business officials in medium -sized school districts

Purpose. The study had four purposes: to determine the degree superintendents and CBOs perceive managerial practices are utilized by CBOs, the degree managerial practices "should" be utilized on the differences of perceptions of the two respondent groups.;Methodology. The population of the study included superintendents and CBOs of all medium-sized school districts located in California. A survey was utilized to collect data to answer four research questions. Response frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations were determined. Additionally, the data were subjected to the Wilcoxan Test for Paired Samples.;Findings. CBO's indicated they are least successful at motivating and inspiring, monitoring, and rewarding. Superintendents indicated their CBO is least successful at developing and mentoring, and rewarding. Both groups identified rewarding as the least important practice. CBOs perceive themselves exhibiting a lesser degree of planning and organizing, and monitoring than do their superintendents. CBOs perceive themselves exhibiting a greater degree of consulting practices than do their superintendents. CBOs perceive they should exhibit a greater degree of planning and organizing, and monitoring practices than do their superintendents.;Conclusions. Rewarding practices were clearly identified as an area in which training and behavioral improvements can be made. Other practices were identified in which improvements can lead to greater leadership effectiveness of chief business officials. A theoretical system of skills or competencies required to be an effective chief business official was proposed as a basis for training programs.