Whenever a change in the school leadership occurs, new ideas and programs are often introduced and inadvertently, dilute the good work already being done in the school system.  This is often referred to as the "flavor-of-the-month" problem.  

When hiring a superintendent, once of the most important jobs of the board of education is to make sure that what is in place and working doesn't get lost in the transition.  Phase 1 focuses on (1) identifying the work that needs to be sustained and/or expanded and (2) eliminating barriers that will resurface down the road and interfere with the ultimate successes of the new superintendent and his or her school board.  Phase 1 serves as the foundation for successful implementation of stages 2, 3 and 4.