Helen M. Knight Elementary School Principal

Helen M. Knight Elementary, 505 MiVida Dr., Moab, UT

The Principal of an Elementary School is responsible for providing innovative, collaborative, and forward-thinking leadership. The principal directs all matters pertaining to implementation of the District’s approved instructional program at the school level, ensures efficient operation of the school’s physical plant, business, and technology services, and oversees all extracurricular programs. The Principal invites and coordinates proper involvement of faculty, parents and community members in the planning and decision-making process.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The Elementary School Principal establishes and maintains an effective learning climate in the school. Initiates, designs, and implements programs to meet specific needs of the school. Supervises the school’s educational program.

Keeps the superintendent informed of the school’s activities and problems. Makes recommendations concerning the school’s administration and instruction. Prepares and submits the school’s budgetary requests, and monitors expenditures of funds in a timely manner. Supervises the maintenance of all required building records and reports. Prepares or supervises the preparation of reports, records, lists, and all other paperwork required or appropriate to the school’s administration.

Works with various members of the central administrative staff on school problems of more than in school import, such as transportation, special services, and the like. Keeps supervisor informed of events/activities of an unusual nature as well as routine matters related to the supervisor’s accountability. Interprets and enforces district policies and administrative regulations. Maintains active relationships with students/parents. Budgets school time to provide for the efficient conduct of school instruction and business. Leads in the development, determination of appropriateness, and monitoring of the instructional program.

Programs classes within established guides to meet student needs. Assists in the development, revision, and evaluation of the curriculum. Supervises the guidance program to enhance individual student education and development. Maintains high standards of student conduct and enforces discipline as necessary, according due process to the rights of students. Promotes and supports interdisciplinary instructional activities. Follows District established guides for proper student conduct and maintaining student discipline. Works with staff and students to provide a safe learning environment and workplace.
Attends special events held to recognize student achievement, and attends school sponsored activities, functions, and athletic events. Maintains and controls the various local funds generated by student activities. Supervises the maintenance of accurate records on the progress and attendance of students.

The Elementary School Principal assumes responsibility for the attendance, conduct, and maintenance of health of students. Assumes responsibility for his/her own professional growth and development through membership and participation in the affairs of professional organizations, through attendance at regional, state, and national meetings, through enrollment in advanced courses, and the like.

Facilitates and encourages professional growth among the staff. 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. Empowers staff members. Supervises all professional, paraprofessional, administrative, and non-professional personnel attached to the school. Assists in the recruiting, screening, hiring, training, assigning, and evaluating of the school building staff.

Supervision of the school’s instructional process. Oversees the school’s State mandated testing requirements, including the assessment of results with staff for future school improvement.
Oversees the development of the master's teaching schedule. Orients newly assigned staff members and assists in their development, as appropriate. Evaluates and counsels all (professional) staff members regarding their individual and group performance. Conducts meetings of the staff as necessary for the proper functioning of the school. Assists in the in-service orientation and training of teachers, with special responsibility for staff administrative procedures and instructions. Recommends according to established procedures, the removal of a teacher whose work is unsatisfactory.

Makes arrangements for special conferences between parents and teachers. Assumes responsibility for the safety and administration of the school plant. Supervises the daily use of the school facilities for both academic and non-academic purposes. Plans and supervises fire drills and an emergency preparedness program. Asserts leadership in times of civil disobedience in school in accordance with established Board policy.

Provides for adequate inventories of property under his/her jurisdiction and for the security and accountability for that property. Supervises all activities and programs that are outgrowths of the school's curriculum. Supervises and evaluates the school's extracurricular program. Participates in principals' meetings, and such other meetings as are required or appropriate. Serves as an ex officio member of all committees and councils within his/her school. Cooperates with college/university officials regarding teacher training and preparation.

Responds to written and oral requests for information. Assumes responsibility for all official school correspondence and news releases. Establishes and maintains favorable relationships with local community groups and individuals to foster understanding and solicit support for overall school objectives and programs; to interpret Board policies and administrative directives; and to discuss and resolve individual student problems. Serves as a member of such committees and attends such meetings as directed by the superintendent. Delegates authority to responsible personnel to assume responsibility for the school in the absence of the principal. MARGINAL FUNCTIONS: Performs other job duties as required.

Family Medical, Retirement, Life & LTD

Salary: According to GCSD Salary Schedule

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Establish and promote a culture of excellence, innovation, and positive change.
• In collaboration with the district and the School Community Council, seek and obtain external funding through grants, business partnerships, and other appropriate sources to strengthen programs and activities for students.
• Must be familiar with Professional Learning Communities and Response to Intervention practices
• Serves as the school’s instructional leader, providing leadership and direction to staff and community to improve student achievement outcomes by:

Staying current with evidence-based developments in curriculum and instruction;
Implementing, in coordination with staff, effective Response-to-Intervention (RtI) strategies to address student academic and behavioral weaknesses to determine students’ needs;
Supervising and evaluating teachers and staff to ensure effective instruction and implementation of Utah High School Core and Common Core State standards;
Working effectively with District personnel to implement District, State and Federal programs and initiatives.
Implementing the District’s student assessment and progress monitoring system with fidelity.
Establishing and accomplishing short- and long-term student achievement goals for the school as a whole.

• Provides, in collaboration with, and under the direction of, the Office of Evidence-Based Learning, effective professional development to faculty and staff.
• Cultivates a positive, collaborative environment of excitement, energy, enthusiasm, and hope for students, parents, and staff.
• Embraces and provides for meaningful parent involvement at the school by adhering to all laws and District directives regarding the School Community Council, establishing positive relationships with the school PTA, and meeting with parents individually or collectively as needed to address concerns.
• Is visible and accessible to students, staff, parents, and community members.
• Provides leadership in collaboration with parents and Cities to ensure students’ safe passage to school, a safe environment at school, and a safe climate at all school-sponsored activities.
• Collaborates with the District and with outside agencies such as Cities, nonprofit groups and community organizations to provide outstanding customer service.
• Manages the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs to maintain appropriate student behavior and discipline.
• Provides annual training to all faculty and staff regarding state law and District policy in all related areas, including hazing and bullying.
• Successfully manages budgets and allocates resources to provide fiscal accountability for all aspects of the school’s operation including reaching school goals.
• In collaboration with the Educational Technology and Academic Offices, articulates a school vision and strategies for integrating current and future educational technology to ensure its use in delivering core curriculum in innovative and effective ways.
• Works closely with the District Supervisor and facilities to address current and future facilities needs.
• Provides appropriate support, encouragement, and guidance to educational support staff such as administrative assistants, cafeteria workers, custodial staff, and instructional assistants.
• Works closely with the District’s Office of Public Communications to promote student and faculty achievements and respond to media requests as needed.
• Works closely with the District’s Office of Public Communications and Department of Information Technology to establish, manage, and promote the school’s Web site, Twitter account, and Facebook page.
• Establishes and enforces an environment where all students, parents, and employees are welcomed and free from discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, pregnancy, and sexual orientation.
• Predictable and reliable attendance.

• Incumbent must be fingerprinted and clear a criminal background check.
• Requires a Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Requires a valid Professional Educator License for the State of Utah with a “License Area of Concentration” of “Administration”.
• A minimum 3-5 years of K-12 or higher education administrative experience preferred. (A full-time administrative internship will count as one year of experience.)

NOTE: The Administration reserves the right to require specific training for this position. However, depending upon the type and quality of prior work experience and availability of formal training programs, some exchanges can be made between training and experience.

08/01/2025