To Spend or to Save Oil Wealth: A Paradox of Plenty for Rural Superintendents in Texas

• In Event: 52.083 - Roundtable Session 19
  In Roundtable Session: 52.083-3 - School Leadership Across Diverse Ruralities

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore how superintendents respond and plan for the future amidst the changes brought about by oil and gas development of the Eagle Ford Shale (EFS) in South/Central Texas. Two research questions guided this qualitative study: in what ways are rural school district superintendents sense makers and how do they respond to the presence of the EFS Play? Three superintendent’s narratives were represented against a backdrop of structural functionalism and a model of sensemaking. Despite increased reserves and affluence two issues took precedence: school facilities/physical plants deterioration and declining academic achievement. The EFS play was viewed as a strategic opportunity to pass/administer school bond elections; to a lesser degree academic improvement.

Authors

• Lynn Michelle Hemmer, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

• Israel Aguilar, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi

• Kathleen Gallagher Fleming, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi