Marcy Dutton, a lawyer and associate director of the Illinois Association of School Administrators, believes that Superintendents are prone to practice law and sometimes practice it badly. Because school leaders, and superintendents in particular, are take-charge people, they want to function as armchair lawyers. In other words, they have just enough legal experience to be dangerous. Dutton's advice: If you don't have a law degree, don't practice law. Advice No. 2: In contract negotiations, especially when it concerns your employment, be careful what you ask for--you just might get it. Likewise, she has been getting more reports of school board members becoming aggressive in soliciting candidates for a superintendent vacancy. These boards are pursuing those in neighboring districts and a sitting superintendent now working elsewhere who once worked as a principal or athletic director in the district with a hiring need. The point is this: The next job opportunity just might come knocking on your door without you ever leaving your office. The bottom line about contract language and clauses: Read the contract closely. The language should be in plain English and understandable. If it is not, a little rewriting on the author's or downright stubbornness on your part may be in order.