Abstract
This empirical study aims to bring a better knowledge of principals' needs so that their support can be better targeted. In the first part there, the theoretical basis for the need of pedagogical leadership is introduced together with the description of the Czech decentralised regional education system.
Following this, the methodology, operationalization of basic terms and the characteristics of the sample are described. The fourth and fifth parts introduce outputs of the empirical study.
The fourth part introduces principals' attitudes to education system settings and to their potential modifications. The fifth part is dedicated to the evaluation of a needed support in the fields of pedagogical and administrational school matters. Then, the discussion of limits and the conclusions for policy makers follow. The study shows there is a great need to provide support to principals, especially in the area of administration. The principals seem to be willing to be freed from the administration of public procurements and from larger investment projects. The paper concludes with a model of support for schools in which municipalities play a key role, and which can serve as an inspiration for the planned middle layer of support for schools.