Principal Middle School (BMMS)

JOB TITLE:                                       PRINCIPAL

DEPARTMENT:                                 Administration

REPORTS TO:                                   Superintendent

FLSA STATUS/CLASSIFICATION:   Exempt; Certified

SUPERVISORY DUTIES:                  Teachers, Classified Staff

APPROVED ON:                               xx/xx/2014

SUMMARY:  Provides administrative, organizational and personnel administration for assigned school by directing and recommending policies, procedures and actions pertaining to all activities at the school in order to provide a safe environment and a meaningful and fulfilling education so students receive the greatest benefits from the educational opportunities available.  Ensures that assigned school remains aligned with district goals in accordance and with state and federal requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership Behavior:

• Involves Administrative Team, staff, parents, students and the community in the identification and accomplishment of the District’s mission and goals
• Recognizes the needs of staff and students
• Explores, assesses, develops and implements educational concepts that enhance teaching and learning
• Encourages and develops the leadership of others through empowerment and delegation
• In cooperation with Administrative Team, initiates and competently manages the change process
• Clearly identifies his/hers vision to the staff, parents, students and community
• Exemplifies the behavior expected of others
• Utilizes all available data resources in the decision making process

Communication Skills:

• Articulates beliefs persuasively which are congruent with district and the school’s mission and goals
• Effectively communicates clear expectations to parents, staff and students
• Produces high quality written materials for distribution to staff, the parents and the community
• Communicates necessary reports to the governing Board in a clear, concise and professional manner
• Communicates to Administrative Team and Superintendent in a timely and efficient manner appropriate activities, concerns or potential problems
• Works effectively with all members of staff on school problems of significant importance, e.g. instruction, transportation, discipline, food service, etc.
• Applies the process of consensus building both as a leader and as a member of a group
• Establishes and effectively utilizes a site council comprised of staff, parents and community members
• Resolves difficult situations by applying appropriate conflict-resolution methods
• Achieves intended outcomes through the use of principles of motivation
• Works with the appropriate Administrative Team to plan, schedule and facilitate curriculum
• Works with the District Administration Team to plan, schedule and facilitate curriculum development
• Reviews and monitors the curriculum to ensure that District approved scope, sequence and content are followed
• With Administrative Team and staff, develops curriculum materials and programs that enhance student achievement
• With Administrative Team, staff and Governing Board input, provides staff development training to facilitate the implementation of District/School curriculum
• With the appropriate Administrative Team members, evaluates curriculum and modifies as needed to ensure student achievement

Instruction:

• Explores, assesses, develops and implements best instructional strategies and techniques through the Administrative Team and staff
• In cooperation with the Administrative Team, provides staff development that ensures the continual growth of all teachers
• Articulates and implements effective management and planning processes
• Orients newly assigned staff members and assists in their development, as appropriate, through Administrative Team planning and implementation
• Provides appropriate information to the Administrative Team so that instructional techniques and strategies can be current and the best practices can be implemented

Student Management:

• Clearly communicates appropriate school rules, policies and procedures to students, staff and parents
• Establishes high expectations for student behavior
• Follows district guidelines in disciplining students
• Applies appropriate techniques, e.g. progressive consequences, consistency, fairness, etc., when disciplining students
• Follows appropriate legal requisites in due process and procedures
• Identifies and implements new positive discipline procedures

Evaluation:

• Applies effective observation and conference skills
• Utilizes both formative and summative evaluation procedures
• Develops professional growth plans to improve teaching performance
• Uses due process procedures and legal assistance in dealing with disciplinary and dismissal cases
• Completes all evaluation responsibilities for certified and support personnel as District policies specify

Organizational Management:

• In cooperation with indicated Administrative staff, recruits, selects, assigns and organizes staff to optimize the achievement of the district and the school’s mission and goals for the following year
• Develops and implements equitable and effective schedules
• Provide a positive, safe and orderly climate for learning
• Assures that programs such as special education, speech, counseling, et. al., are appropriately servicing students
• Employs principles of effective time management
• Develops policies and practices that assure appropriate and confidential collection and use of student data
• Manages the maintenance and operation of the physical plant
• Provides day to day operations in athletic and extra curricular programs
• Involves staff, site council and representative members of the community in the development of school budget priorities, based upon the mission and goals of the District and school
• Plans, prepares and justifies the school budget in accordance with school district budgeting procedures
• Employs and monitors acceptable accounting procedures in the maintenance of all fiscal records
• Uses cost control procedures and institutes cost-effective practices in the management of all school funds
• Exercises creativity in finding new resources for supporting the school’s programs
• Follows USFR requirements in managing the Student Activity fund

Professional Responsibilities:

• Applies effective strategies for dealing with the dynamics and politics of school district decision-making
• Effectively deals with crisis situations by, in a timely fashion, contacting necessary agencies or persons, notifying and involving indicated school personnel and taking appropriate steps in reaching decisions for action
• Effectively responds to written and oral requests on a timely basis
• Keeps abreast of changes and developments in the profession by attending professional meetings, reading professional journals and other publications and discussing problems of mutual interest with others in the field
• Attends meetings, extra-curricular activities and appropriate community events that support the school and the District’s mission
• Maintains a high level of punctuality and attendance
• Attends seminars, classes and conferences as the Superintendent assigns
• Accomplishes district, school and personal goals
• Follows all district policies

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of data usage, including collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting
• Ability to manage budgets and personnel
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to do perform multiple administrative functions simultaneously
• Ability to do detailed mathematical computations
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Produce accurate work and complete assignments with minimal supervision
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations
• Ability to work cooperatively and courteously with staff, students, parents and community members
• Knowledge of applicable Federal and State laws, district procedures and Board policies
• Ability to handle confrontation and conflict without an emotional response

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

• Current Principals Certificate issued by ADE
• Masters Degree
• 2 years experience as a school administrator preferred
• Any equivalent combination of training, education and experience that meets minimum requirements
  • Criminal justice/Fingerprint clearance

Computer Proficiency:  Demonstrated general proficiency in computer programs such as Microsoft Excel, Word, Access and Outlook.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to reach with hands and arms.  The employee is frequently required to sit, stand and walk.  The employee may be required to move ten pounds and could occasionally lift or move up to twenty pounds.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Indoor office environment.  This position regularly works indoors, and outdoors at times in all types of weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is generally moderate and may become excessively noisy at times.   Will have contact with employees, external agencies and the public.

Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities identified in this position description are illustrative only and are in no way intended to be a complete list of activities that may be required of an incumbent.  The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.