To address the critical shortage of school administrators, the School Leadership Development Project prepares leaders for tomorrow, seeking to strengthen and revitalize Lutheran schools with administrators trained to be vital and effective leaders so that God's children are well served, and His kingdom is expanded. It is critical that we identify and recruit Lutheran School administrators to provide leadership for schools where teachers integrate theology in their teaching, model the Christian life, apply Law and Gospel to disciple students and assist them in their faith development to attain the fullness of the promise of life in Christ.
Currently only 28% of the educators serving in our schools are LCMS Rostered-Active members. Educators who are Non-Rostered and contracted, reflect the majority of the educators currently serving in Lutheran schools at 51%. 
Lutheran schools are one of the Synod's premier agencies for Witness, Mercy and Life Together. Caring, Christian teachers share the Word of God daily with children and families. Over 220,000 students are served in 1,992 schools consisting of 1,127 early childhood centers, 778 elementary schools and 87 high schools. 
It is predicted that between 2015 and 2020, 40 percent of the Lutheran school administrators serving in these schools will retire, creating a significant leadership void for Lutheran education. The void created by retirees is compounded by the lack of available teachers and candidates. The number of Concordia University System education graduates with Lutheran diplomas has also declined. Consider the comparison of the 254 graduates to the 625 requests for graduates in 2017. 
Lutheran schools thrive with excellent teachers and more importantly with excellent leaders. A School Administrator or Principal needs to be a leader, organized and committed to the job. An administrator's tasks are many and varied. He or she may be responsible for developing curriculum, setting and enforcing school budgets, supervising and mentoring staff, arranging an athletic program, school security, shielding teachers from distractions, and student discipline.
The students served in Lutheran schools (2017-2018) reflect a mission field with 51% of the students identified as Non-Lutheran or unchurched. This presents a fabulous mission opportunity for our called church workers to share the Gospel message of hope.
Caring for students with varying levels of academic readiness from challenging socioeconomic backgrounds in rural, suburban and urban schools while remaining financially viable in a difficult economy falls under the purview of the Lutheran school administrator. 
