Principal

Principal

Swain County High School

Starting with the 2025-26 School Year

Supervises

All school personnel, directly or indirectly.

Purpose

To serve as the chief administrator of a school in developing and implementing policies, programs, curriculum, extracurricular activities, and budgets in a manner that promotes the educational development of each student and the professional development of each staff member. Perform complex administrative and professional work in the administration and supervision of the building and its multitude of instructional, non-instructional and extracurricular programs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assumes responsibility for the implementation and observance of all Board policies and regulations by the school's staff and students.
• Interprets and enforces the school system's policies and regulations.
• Develops and maintains an effective educational program consistent with state and federal guidelines and the philosophy, policies and goals of the School Board.
• Develops school goals that align with the district strategic plan and utilize feedback from all stakeholder groups.
• Uses data analysis for assessment and strategic planning and instructional planning and evaluation.
• Plans, organizes and directs implementation of school activities.
• Establishes and maintains an effective learning climate in the school; provides for the efficient conduct of school instruction and business.
• Initiates, designs and implements programs to meet specific needs of the school; directs and monitors the development of the school's instructional program.
• Makes recommendations concerning the school's administration and instruction; assists in the preparation of the school budget and monitors expenditures.
• Prepares or supervises the preparation of reports, records, lists and all other required information and data.
• Schedules classes within established guidelines to meet student needs.
• Assists in the development, revision and evaluation of the curriculum.
• Maintains high standards of student conduct and enforces discipline as necessary, according to School Board policy and the due process rights of children.
• Maintains and controls the various local funds generated by student activities.
• Supervises the maintenance of accurate records on the progress and attendance of students.
• Supervises all professional, paraprofessional, administrative and non-professional personnel assigned to the school.
• Participates in the selection and supervision of all school building personnel.
• Evaluates all staff members regarding their individual job performance.
• Supervises the daily use of the school facilities for both academic and nonacademic purposes.
• Supervises and evaluates all activities and programs that are outgrowths of the school's curriculum.
• Other duties as needed and/or assigned.

Minimum Training and Experience

Must hold a NC license in School Administration as a Principal with 3 years of successful experience in education leadership required. Must possess a valid NC driver’s license.

Terms

Exempt 12-month position, salary in accordance with NC State Salary Schedule.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• MAJOR FUNCTION: General Planning

The principal conceptualizes the broad goals of the school and aligns with the district strategic plan and ensures that procedures and schedules are implemented to carry out the total school program.

• MAJOR FUNCTION: General Coordination

The principal ensures that the school program is compatible with the legal, financial, and organizational structure of the school system. The principal defines the responsibilities and accountability of staff members and develops plans for interpreting the school program to the community.

• MAJOR FUNCTION: Enhancement of Personnel Skills

The principal provides activities that facilitate the professional growth of the school staff and enhance the quality of the instructional program.

• MAJOR FUNCTION: School Objectives

The principal identifies the annual objectives for the instructional, extra-curricular, and athletic programs of the school.

• MAJOR FUNCTION: Curriculum Objectives

The principal ensures those instructional objectives for a given subject and/or classrooms are developed, and involve the faculty and others in the development of specific curricular objectives to meet the needs of the school program. The principal provides opportunities for staff participation in the school program. The principal uses data analysis for assessment and strategic planning and instructional planning and evaluation.

• MAJOR FUNCTION: Establishes Formal Work Relationships

The principal establishes, implements and evaluates procedures used to carry out the daily routine of the school. The principal ensures stakeholder participation in decision making when appropriate.

• MAJOR FUNCTION: Evaluates Performance

The principal evaluates student progress in the instructional program by means that include the maintaining of up-to-date student data. The principal supervises and appraises the performance of the school staff. In addition, the principal is responsible for evaluation and professional growth of staff.

• MAJOR FUNCTION: Facilitates Organizational Efficiency

The principal maintains inter-school system communications and seeks assistance from central office staff to improve performance. The principal maintains good relationships with students, staff, and parents. The principal complies with established lines of authority.

• MAJOR FUNCTION: New Staff and Students

The principal assists new staff members and new students in and provides opportunities for their input from all students into the school program.

• MAJOR FUNCTION: Community

The principal encourages the use of community resources, cooperates with the community in the use of school facilities, interprets the school program for the community, and maintains communication with community members.

• MAJOR FUNCTION: Supplies and Equipment

The principal manages, directs, and maintains records on the materials, supplies and equipment, which are necessary to carry out the daily school routine. The principal involves the staff in determining priorities for instructional supplies.

• MAJOR FUNCTION: Services

The principal organizes, oversees, and provides support to the various services, supplies, materials, and equipment provided to carry out the school program. The principal makes use of community resources.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements:

Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment including computers, copiers, calculators, cellular phones, etc.

Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle.

Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, and pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.

Data Conception:

Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or composite characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communication:

Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments, or directions to subordinates or assistants.

Language Ability:

Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, forms, charts, strategic plans, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, appraisals, charts, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control, and confidence.

Intelligence:

Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; and to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Verbal Aptitude:

Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in Standard English.

Numerical Aptitude:

Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; and to apply the principles of algebra, descriptive statistics, statistical inference, and statistical theory.

Form/Spatial Aptitude:

Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape.

Motor Coordination:

Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office equipment.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment and hand tools. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament:

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.

Physical Communication:

Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via telephone.

DISCLAIMER

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees.