Dr. Troy Unzicker

The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of job satisfaction of superintendents in the state of Nebraska. The study investigated the relationship between levels of job satisfaction with gender, age, compensation, experience, degree attainment, and school size. This study replicated the work of Dr. Kenneth Nelson (1987) to determine the degree of job satisfaction for current superintendents working in the state of Nebraska.

This study answered the degree to that superintendents in Nebraska are satisfied with their jobs. The study also determined the areas which bring the greatest satisfaction to superintendents. These factors of satisfaction will help predict areas that will contribute to the success of the superintendent and provide valuable information for boards, colleges and universities in recruiting and retaining superintendents.

A total of 178 of the 225 Nebraska school superintendents contacted responded to the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (Weiss, Dawis, England, & Lofquist, 1977). The responses of the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire were compiled and analyzed. A multiple regression procedure was used to predict the effect of six factors upon job satisfaction. Findings of the study revealed the general satisfaction scores of Nebraska school superintendents were increased since the 1987 study. The 2012 data indicated that Nebraska school superintendent’s scores were in the upper tier of norm groups established by the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (Weiss et al., 1977). The analysis of the 20 constructs of the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire indicated that Nebraska school superintendents scored highest in the areas of social service, variety, ability utilization, and activity. The Nebraska school superintendents scored lowest in the areas of co-workers, advancement, recognition, and authority. Social service remained the highest area of satisfaction for Nebraska school superintendents.

Salary was the lone variable that appeared to have any level of significance in the study. The multiple regression procedure for salary accounted for 5 of the 12 constructs where significance was found. The factor with the highest correlation to satisfaction was salary at .209.