Stress has been defined as a stimulus event, a complex personal response to the interaction of various personal and environmental factors. When a demand, real or imagined, is perceived, a stress response will occur unless appropriate coping responses are present. The terms burnout or excessive distress refer to the experience of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion unique to people who work with other people in emotionally demanding situations. In this study, elementary school principals (N=438) were surveyed using a four-part self-report questionnaire yielding general information, self-concept, job-related, and future issues. Forty-four percent of respondents reported participation in a regular exercise program. Respondents reflected attitudes at least the same or better than usual in terms of variables such as the ability to sleep, managing well, getting along with others, and optimism about the future. Only two events, too many meetings and insufficient time for planning and preparation, were marked as high stress producers. Only three issues rated a considerable concern response. These included the increase of one-parent families, mainstreaming special needs students, and the changing directions generated by the Provincial Ministries of Education. (Four data tables and 10 references are included.) (ABL)