This sequential mixed-methods study determined to what extent the factors identified in the literature were present in the decision to hire an internal candidate to the superintendency in Wisconsin in the last ten years. An initial survey was sent to all 424 Wisconsin public school districts and follow-up surveys sent to school board members in the districts that hired an internal candidate, defined as an individual previously employed by the district, between 2001 and 2011. Interviews with three school board members and two search consultants concluded the data collection. Factors that influenced Wisconsin school board members' decisions to hire an internal candidate included the following: personal characteristics - particularly trustworthiness, effective communication, and skilled leadership, the role expected of the superintendent, a desire to have the internal candidate serve as an agent of change, and the influence of the exiting superintendent. ANOVA tests revealed no significant difference in internal candidate hiring decisions based on district enrollment; however, a two-tailed t-test revealed a statistically significant difference between the mean of the largest districts in Wisconsin and the mean of all other Wisconsin districts (p = 0.005). Hiring the right superintendent is one of the most important tasks for school board members. A limited pool of qualified candidates, frequent turnover in the superintendency, and large numbers of anticipated career exits in the near future make this decision a challenging one for school boards; therefore, identifying and analyzing the factors that influence a school board when deciding to hire an internal candidate as superintendent was both informative and relevant. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]