Principal-Special Education Schools

Principal,  Special Education School 

REPORTS TO:  Deputy Superintendent

DEPARTMENT: Special Education

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The school principal serves as the educational leader and administrator of the school, responsible for fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. This role oversees all aspects of school operations, including curriculum implementation, staff supervision, student achievement, community engagement, and budget management. We are currently seeking principals for the following locations:

• Ackerman School

• Litzsinger School

Special School District serves nearly 25,000 students and employs over 5,700 staff in St. Louis County. With core values of equity, commitment, and collaboration, the District's mission is to support and empower students of all learning abilities to excel to their greatest potential. SSD staff thrive in a culture deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Special School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law. To request an ADA Accommodation, please contact our Director of ADA and Accessibility for Staff at 314-989-8299. For TTY, contact RelayMO711 or 1-800-735-2966.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS 

• Employment terms covering compensation, benefits, and working conditions are specified by the Board of Education’s policies, procedures, and agreements
• Annual salary based on position title, as identified on the District Administrator Salary Schedule
• 12 month contract is based on an annual evaluation in accordance with this job description
• FLSA Status: Exempt

QUALIFICATIONS 

Education and Experience 

• Master’s Degree in special education or education field required
• Five years of experience working with students with special needs required
• Two years of previous school administrative experience preferred

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations 

• Principal Certification K-8 required or School Leader K-12 required
• Special Education Teacher certification required
• Special Education Administration Certificate preferred  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Supervises the school’s total education program, 24 hour responsibility to the school.
• Monitors the implementation and observance of Board of Education policies and regulations by the school’s staff and students
• Instructional leader in the development, revisions, and evaluation of curriculum and course offerings
• Supervises all professional, administrative, and non-professional personnel
• Screening, training, assigning, and evaluation of the school’s professional staff
• Implements the district’s safety and security policies in administering the school’s educational plan
• Delegates and assigns responsibilities to other school staff
• Prepares and organizes school schedules
• Supervises student behavior with respect to individual rights and Board Policy
•  Conducts/assists in the in-service orientation and training of teachers
• Supervises after school and evening events/programs
• Coordinates/supervises the extended school year program including the recruiting and hiring of staff
• Implements district policy on attendance, school health, discipline, and student transportation
• Directs the management and preparation of the school’s budget
• Supervises the crisis management team within the school
• Directs the management and preparation of the school’s budget
• Participates in public relations programs
• Establishes and participates in official school conferences
• Communicates regularly with various stakeholders
• Supervises the implementation of instruction
• Monitors the physical school building and grounds for safety concerns, custodial issues, and aesthetic appeal
• Coordinates/conducts on-going professional development opportunities for staff throughout the year
• Collaborates with transportation services to ensure students are transported safely from home to school, food service custodial service, maintenance and security to maintain an environment conducive to the welfare and safety of students
• Participates in district committees
• Participates in the IEP process and Re-Eval conferences.  Responsible for the monitoring of IEP compliance and audit reports
• Develops positive relations with businesses organizations and patrons the community to support the school

Professional Responsibilities

• Communicates and works collaboratively with stakeholders 
• Promotes a positive image of Special School District
• Maintains the dignity of others and confidentiality of information
• Maintains regular attendance, follows assigned work schedule, and complies with attendance procedures
• Adheres to Special School District’s policies and procedures, including but not limited to the Board of Education Policies 
• Complies with applicable legal, regulatory, and procedural expectations in the workplace
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Leadership Responsibilities

• Leads the Department’s contribution to the mission, vision, and values of the district
• Demonstrates actionable knowledge and models commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
• Fosters a healthy, inclusive, and collaborative culture through positive relationships
• Communicates clearly and effectively
• Develops a mission and strategic goals, and takes responsibility for outcomes
• Inspires and motivates the growth and development of others through feedback
• Makes decisions based on data and input from others
• Maintains accountability for self and others
• Handles adversity and resolves conflict equitably
• Leads with integrity and empathy, and builds trust
• Demonstrates openness and curiosity to other perspectives and ideas
• Practices self-reflection and impact on others
• Maintains resilience and is adaptive to complex and changing situations

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The requirements described below represent the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Communication Skills 

• Ability to read and comprehend complex instructions, detailed correspondence, and memos.  Ability to write correspondence to a variety of audiences.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one, small group, and public situations to all stakeholder groups within the organization and the greater community.   

Mathematical Skills  

• Ability to apply concepts of complex math, algebra, and geometry.  The ability to use descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze, interpret, and present data.  The ability to calculate budgetary projections based on trend data.  The ability to manipulate data to present in various formats to a variety of audiences.  

Reasoning Skills

• Ability to make decisions based on various information sources.  Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.  Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.  The ability to effectively organize and prioritize tasks.

Technical Skills

• Ability to operate Microsoft Office products and Google Suite applications.  Ability to use technology to analyze and track data.

Other Skills

• Ability to meet various deadlines with short turnaround times.  The ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and maintain composure under pressure.  The ability to initiate tasks independently. 

Physical Requirements 

• While performing the duties and responsibilities of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, stand, move and walk at a brisk pace, sit, and use hands and arms to handle, feel and reach.  The position requires the ability to accompany students anywhere on school premises.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop or kneel and occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.  Additionally, the employee must be physically able to implement all Board of Education Policies, District procedures, and to perform Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training and techniques. The employee must be physically able to react and intervene quickly during crisis situations, such as but not limited to the following circumstances: student elopement, physical altercations involving students, or any situation that requires physical intervention to maintain student safety. Yearly NCI training with participation in physical intervention strategies is a requirement for the job.

Environmental Requirements

• This position will require frequent movement throughout the school grounds; both inside and outside.  Weather conditions will vary based on setting and season.   Sounds associated with this role are those associated with a typical school setting.  This position will require a flexible work schedule including some evening work.   
• There may be some instances where travel to different school sites or locations for training or district events is required.  

Disclaimer  

The information contained in this job description 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.  

Board Approved:  September 2002

Date/s Revised: February 2011, June 2013, August 2013, January 2020, January 2025

Salary : $125,000