THE HISTORICAL ROLE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT HAS ENCOMPASSED VARIOUS OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES THAT HAVE AFFECTED THE EDUCATIONAL LIVES OF MANY PEOPLE. DECISIONS A PRESENT-DAY SUPERINTENDENT MUST MAKE STILL COVER MANY AND VARIED FUNCTIONS--MANAGERIAL, INSTRUCTIONAL, POLITICAL, ETC. TO A GREAT EXTENT THE SOCIAL MAKE-UP AND SIZE OF A COMMUNITY INFLUENCE COMMUNITY PERCEPTION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT AND HIS ROLE. SUPERINTENDENTS IN LARGE URBAN AREAS HAVE THE SERVICES OF MANY ADVISERS AND ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC VIA FORMS OF MASS MEDIA. THE RURAL SUPERINTENDENT, ON THE OTHER HAND, MUST BE EXPERT IN ALL EDUCATIONAL AREAS AND MUST SPEND INNUMERABLE HOURS IN SMALL PUBLIC MEETINGS ASSUMING A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE AND LEADERS OF HIS COMMUNITY. THE PROCESS OF CONSOLIDATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERMEDIATE ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS ARE DOING MUCH TO RELIEVE THE POSITION OF THE RURAL SUPERINTENDENT BY INCREASING THE AVAILABILITY OF TECHNICAL AID. THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS (ATLANTIC CITY, MAY 2, 1965). (DK)