Fordham has argued that principals need to function more like CEOs, handling not just a school’s academic mission but also the many complexities of running a small organization. Yet when we asked principals how they view themselves and their responsibilities, we concluded that “they see their role as ‘middle manager’—not CEO.”

Now the National Association of Elementary School Principals weighs in. NAESP’s “Vision 2021″ predicts that by the year 2021—the hundredth anniversary of NAESP—principals will be CLOs, or Chief Learning Officers. As reported in Education Week, “In those schools of the future, principals will shift away from a managerial role,” using new technologies, focusing on data, and developing “learning communities.” But who will run the school as an organization? Here the NAESP gets timid:

Some experts argue that no one person can do the job of principal and new structures are required, like a team of leaders including a business manager or chief of operations and a chief academic officer. Whatever the future configuration, principals will practice learner-centered leadership and seek leadership contributions from multiple sources to balance management and leadership roles.

“Leadership contributions”? Someone needs to be in charge of the school as a whole, to make sure that the school’s finances, staffing, facilities, and instructional model are in synch. So who’s the boss? If the NAESP is any indication, it seems we were right—today’s principals aren’t exactly clamoring for this responsibility.