Abstract
Research problem and methodology. California faces a projected shortage of experienced and qualified chief business officials (CBOs). The present population of CBOs is predominantly male, and females represent a potential pool of talent from which to meet future needs. Only a few females have been successful in achieving upper level management status in the business services division of California public school districts. This study provides information about the characteristics, career paths taken and achieving styles held by female CBO deputy, associate, or assistant superintendents, and the fit between their achieving styles and those of their superintendents' cabinets. The investigation was a descriptive study. Semistructured interviews were held with identified female CBOs, and achieving styles instruments were given to them and their superintendents' cabinets, with a 100% return rate. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and the Fisher exact probability test. Findings. This study found that a majority of the subjects worked in medium and large-sized districts; had been in the current position or district less than 5 years; and held bachelor's or master's degrees. Most were less than 50 years of age, and were single or divorced at the time of the study. A lack of career decision or planning was found, and few had been given financial support in college. Their chief achieving style preferences, in rank order, were those characterized by direct action, authoritative command, or indirect satisfaction in others' achievements. The cabinet members' results showed a more widespread preference for collaborative styles than their CBO counterparts, but no statistically significant differences were found. Conclusions and recommendations. California should implement formal strategies to encourage talented women to enter the field of school business. Universities, the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO/Intl.), the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO), and the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), should refine business administration degree and certificate programs and actively recruit individuals desiring to enter the field. This study should be replicated with the larger CBO population in California to confirm achieving style results irrespective of gender or title.