More Time in a Day for Principals...Can it be Accomplished?

In the article, Principals, What Would You Do with More Time in a Day?, a blog written by Sarah D. Sparks on edweek.org found below:

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/inside-school-research/2011/10/principals_what_would_you_do_w.html

talks about the concept of teaching administrators how to schedule and manage delegation in-order to gain time, almost an extra day they say, which allows principals to focus on the INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP aspect of their job.  What a great idea and if that is true why aren't we implementing it with all principals in all schools right now!?

We have been told that principals should be spending 51% of their time on instructional matters (minimum) and 49% management (maximum).  It seems to be the flip flop in most school I've been in recently, where instructional matters are put on the back burner while principals are putting out the fires and dealing with the management issues.

The idea of having a School Administration Manager (SAM)  come in and take over the task oriented jobs, operations, paperwork, and just the day to day duties would definitely empower a principal to become the leader they need to be in which they can collaborate, be proactive, grow relationships, and be in classrooms.  Making this happen would allow principals  to truly wear the hat of the instructional leader focusing on what matters the most and that is student achievement.