Why the Chain of Command Matters in Public Education
- Al Felder
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Without Order, There Is Only Chaos
In any organization, structure matters. But in public education—where decisions impact hundreds or even thousands of students—structure is essential. That structure is built, in part, on one foundational principle: the chain of command.
When teachers, administrators, central office personnel, or board members bypass established protocols, even with good intentions, the result is almost always confusion, frustration, and a breakdown in trust. Without a clearly followed chain of command, a school system doesn't function efficiently—it fragments.
What Is the Chain of Command?
In a school district, the chain of command refers to the proper order in which concerns, questions, or decisions should be addressed. It is designed to:
Ensure that problems are resolved at the lowest appropriate level
Promote clear communication
Protect the integrity of leadership roles
Prevent mixed messages and conflicting decisions
A typical chain might look like this:
Teacher → Campus Administrator → Central Office Department → Superintendent → School Board
This system isn’t meant to control people—it's intended to create clarity, accountability, and order.
What Happens When It’s Ignored?
When someone bypasses the chain of command—whether it’s a teacher going straight to the school board, or a board member giving directives to a principal—the result is organizational chaos.
Here’s what happens:
1. Undermining of Leadership
When someone skips a supervisor or goes outside the established process, it undermines that leader's authority and sends a message that their role can be ignored or overwritten.
2. Inconsistent Decisions
Different leaders may respond to the same issue differently. When policies aren't followed, it creates confusion and inconsistency across campuses.
3. Lack of Accountability
Skipping steps often means no paper trail, no context, and no opportunity for leaders to address issues at their level. It becomes harder to hold anyone accountable when the process is circumvented.
4. Distrust Among Staff
When some people go around the system and get results, while others follow the process and are ignored, it breeds resentment and low morale.
Everyone Has a Role—And Boundaries
The key to a healthy school system is understanding both roles and boundaries.
Teachers should bring concerns to their campus administrators, not central office or board members.
Principals should escalate issues to the appropriate departments before involving the superintendent.
Board members are not administrators—they govern, set policy, and hire the superintendent. They do not supervise school employees directly or make managerial decisions.
The superintendent is the link between policy and practice—and must direct district-wide operations.
When everyone honors these roles, the district runs smoothly, and everyone’s voice is heard more effectively.
Upholding Policy Is Not About Ego—It’s About Excellence
Following the chain of command doesn’t mean blindly following orders. It means respecting the system we’ve built to serve students well. It means:
Trusting that issues will be handled fairly and promptly
Believing in the value of communication and protocol
Recognizing that one person's shortcut can cause widespread disruption
And yes, it means holding people accountable—regardless of position—when they intentionally bypass the process for personal or political gain.
Final Thought: Chaos Is Not a Strategy
Every time we skip the chain of command, we weaken the system that supports students. Every time we insert politics, emotion, or personal agendas into operational decisions, we add friction that teachers and kids ultimately feel in the classroom.
A well-run school district depends on structure, trust, and process. The chain of command is not red tape—it is the skeleton of a strong school system.
When we follow it, we ensure that schools stay focused on what matters most: teaching, learning, and serving every child with excellence.