Principal

JOB SUMMARY:

The principal will be the instructional leader for the school. In addition, the principal will be responsible for all building operations. The principal will work collaboratively with District administrators to ensure effective school operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for the conduct of their respective schools and for the condition of the school premises. They shall have responsibility for the care and oversight of the building and grounds and shall be held responsible for their protection on the part of the students.
• Responsible for organizing and administering the school to which assigned in conformity with the approved policies of the Board and the superintendent and is also responsible for developing an educational plan, and work cooperatively with the superintendent or designee, to plan and develop a budget for that school.
• Responsible for the formulation and continued evaluation of school policies, working cooperatively with the superintendent, other administrators, teachers, and other school personnel.
• Responsible for the communication and the interpretation of school policies and practices to parents/guardian, students, and the public by using all means at his/her disposal.
• Works with the assistant superintendents to coordinate curriculum changes that have been approved by the superintendent and is responsible for stimulating continuous curriculum study in the areas of faculty concern.
• Responsible for the accurate preparation of all class schedules, cumulative records, registers, attendance reports, special reports, etc.
• Shall see that all classes observe regular school hours and not dismiss early without approval from the superintendent. Students are not to leave the school grounds during school hours without permission of the principal, granted upon the request of the parent or guardian.
• Responsible for evaluating the work of teachers and for reporting his information to the superintendent when requested. This will involve periodic classroom visitations and personal conferences with teachers. The program adopted by the school district is to be followed.
• Responsible for the supervision of all personnel assigned to the school unit.
• Responsible for cooperating with the superintendent and assistant in assignment, evaluation, and transfer or dismissal of personnel.
• Responsible for coordination of services of the faculty and all other personnel operating within the school to the interest of good instruction.
• Responsible for all phases of the pupil and personnel administration within a building. The principal shall, through the faculty, see that all pupils are acquainted with the school rules and regulations pertaining to the pupils so that pupils may have a clear understanding of the rules by which they are governed.
• Responsible for planning and administering in-service training activities for the faculty of the school and to cooperate in those involving teachers from more than one school.
• Responsible for scheduling all extra curricular activities for the school and to see that extra-curricular activities are properly supervised by certificated personnel.
• Responsible for participation in the preparation of curriculum guides and assisting teachers in their use.
• Responsible for counseling with teachers on matters which pertain to their daily work, to their efficiency as a member of the faculty group, and to their plans for continuous professional growth. The principal shall meet with the teachers individually or as a group to discuss topics pertaining to all phases of their work.
• Responsible for administration of the testing program of the district within their own building.
• Responsible for providing proper care of the building and grounds. He/she will exercise general supervision of the work of the custodian in the building and will cooperate with the supervisor of buildings and grounds in the discharge of this responsibility.
• Responsible for advising and reporting on the operation and maintenance of the building and shall inspect the different rooms as often as necessary to ascertain their condition and see that the duties of custodians are properly performed.
• Responsible for maintaining complete and accurate pupil records. The records are to be kept in a safe place and available for ready reference to administrators and teachers for interpretation to parents/guardians.
• Responsible, with the superintendent and assistant, for the planning and administering the use of school facilities during school hours, such as playground lunchroom, gymnasium facilities, etc., and the supervision of pupils using the facilities so that the maximum contribution is made to the well-being and the education of the pupils. The principal is also responsible for the approval of use of school facilities by outside organizations after school hours.
• Responsible for all transactions between the school and the central office of the district.
• Responsible for accounting of all textbooks, instructional material and supplies and maintaining an up-to-date inventory.
• Responsible for all phases of school organization and of pupil administration so as to build favorable attitude toward the school on the part of the patrons.
• Responsible for the supervision of programs for handicapped students in the buildings, for cooperating with other administrators and supervisors in establishing, and maintaining classes which serve the entire district and for administrating the procedures or special education programs.
• Responsible for maintaining normal office hours for his/her school.
• Responsible for cooperating with community agencies and assisting with special problems.
• Responsible for the resolving of student adjustment problems and has the authority to suspend students for flagrant violation of school rules and regulations. In all suspensions, parents/guardians are to be notified before the student is permitted to leave the school.
• Responsible for the care and accounting of activity funds. The director of business affairs will supervise the accounting procedures, and be ex officio treasurer of all funds collected within the school. The principal shall require that all funds collected within the building, regardless of source or purpose, be deposited daily in the office.
• Responsible for the calendar of events of the school, the development and administration of rules and regulations covering the activities program, and will need to attend any meeting that is related to activities of the school except in cases where assistant principals or teacher sponsors have been designated.
• Responsible for conducting research relative to the school program.
• Responsible for conducting fire drills and tornado drills in tornado season, to insure the safety of the students.
• Works cooperatively with the supervisor of transportation in matters relating to school transportation.
• Supervises the work of the assistant principal as designated in their job descriptions.
• Responsible for keeping the superintendent’s office informed of all pertinent information regarding all phases of the school operation.
• Shall see that all requisitions for materials and services are sent to the assistant superintendent for approval.
• When the principal is absent from the building for any reason, such as convention attendance, personal leave, or a professional meeting, it is his/her responsibility to make sure an assistant principal is in the building. If there is no assistant principal assigned to the building, appropriate arrangement must be made with a teacher to be assigned as an acting principal.
• The principal shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by District Administration.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Certified and support staff assigned to building.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Must have a minimum of a master’s degree with a specialist or higher preferred.
• Must have appropriate administrator certification.
• Minimum of three (3) years experience in the classroom with preference provided to candidates with prior administrative experience.
• Such modification of the above qualifications as the Board of Education shall find appropriate.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

• Must have effective oral and written communication skills.
• Must have strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Must have ability to lead groups to consensus.
• Must be able to make effective presentations to the Board of Education, staff, parents, and community.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations using whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages.
• Ability to understand, evaluate, and make recommendations related to operating budgets for assigned areas of responsibility.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, and/or schedule form.
• Ability to concentrate, think, read, and learn is necessary to perform the essential job duties.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of current State and Federal statutes and regulations governing MSIP and ESSA.
• Possess effective participatory management skills.
• Ability to perform duties in full compliance with all District requirements and Board policies.
• Ability to learn and utilize software programs and/or databases.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must regularly sit, talk, listen, and respond. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use repetitive wrist, hand and/or finger movement; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee will regularly stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, precise hand-eye coordination, and the ability to identify and distinguish colors. Occasionally, the employee may lift up to 50 pounds, such as, to lift files, papers, and equipment. The foregoing is not an exclusive list, and the employee may be required to exceed the minimum physical demand specifications should the safety and security of students and staff be compromised.

The above physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually at a moderate to loud level with frequent interruptions. The employee continuously interacts with students, staff, and the public. Travel may be necessary to various District buildings and/or other sites. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties.

The information contained in job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.