Position:                           ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Position Guide:                 Certified Administrator

                                         12 Months

                                         Non - Bargaining

                                         Exempt Status

Function:                          The primary function of the Principal is to assure, direct, and facilitate continuous quality improvement of instruction at the building level. The principal shall devote a minimum of 51% of their time on curriculum review, on-going school improvement and staff development. The principal shall be responsible for the administration and supervision of all fiscal, maintenance, safety, and co-curricular programs associated with the school.

Reports to:                   Superintendent of Schools

Relates to:                   Superintendent   

    Assistant Superintendent for Equity and Student Services

                                    Assistant Superintendent for Business and Financial Services

                                    Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction

                                    Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Labor Relations

                                    Chief Officer for Legal Services and Labor Relations

                                    Chief Officer for Technology and Innovation

                                    Chief Equity Officer

                                    Director of Human Resources

          Director of Special Education

    Director of Equity and Student Services

                                    Director of Continuous School Improvement and Professional  Learning

    Director of Teaching and Learning

                                    Director of Building Support Services

                                    Director of Nutrition Services

                                    Director of Communication and Development

           Program Coordinators

           Student Services Coordinator

           Other School Principals

           PTO / PTA and Community Groups

           Parents

Supervises Directly:    Assistant Principals

                                    Teachers

                                    Secretary

                                    Clerical Aides

                                    Paraprofessionals

                                    Engineer and Custodial Personnel

                                    Nutrition Services Personnel

Qualifications:

1. Master’s Degree required
2. Professional Educator License with General Administrative or Principal K-12 Endorsement required
3. Completed Teacher and Principal Evaluator Modules preferred
4. Four years teaching experience — preferably in elementary schools
5. Knowledge of elementary curriculum and curriculum development
6. Prior experience as a building principal, assistant principal, program coordinator or equivalent preferred
7. Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication
8. Demonstrated excellence as an educational leader with strong organizational, problem – solving and human relations skills. Ability to communicate with parents in large or small groups
9. Experience with collaborative groups and processes in a student – centered environment
10. Knowledge of best practices and instructional strategies
11. Demonstrated excellence in student achievement
12. Bilingual (Preferred)

The information contained in this job description is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Additional duties performed by the individual holding this position may be assigned.

Authorities:

1. To provide instructional leadership that ensures school acquisition of adequate yearly progress on state assessment instrument(s).
2. To organize, direct and supervise the educational program within the school, within the policy structure of the District and the District Administration.
3. To select instructional materials, equipment and programs from the approved list provided by the District.
4. To recommend improvement and changes to the Superintendent in the educational program, textbooks, instructional supplies and materials.
5. To delegate responsibilities as may be necessary except the placement of special education students and final placement of general education students.
6. To prepare or to direct the preparation of all schedules of all activities within the building, within the structure of District policy.
7. To participate in the screening of, and the selection of, new highly qualified teacher personnel.
8. To conduct faculty and staff meetings as necessary or on a regularly scheduled basis.
9. Schedule parent conferences.
10. To represent the District to the local PTA / PTO and community groups.
11. To discipline students when necessary, within the structure of District policy.
12. To supervise and direct all personnel resident in the school, as well as visiting the school.
13. To recommend professional development opportunities to promote professional growth of the teaching staff.
14. To provide training, information, and strategies for staff that will ensure student learning.
15. To seek assistance from district administration as needed.

Responsibilities:

1. Create and maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning.
2. Guarantee that every child shall have an equal opportunity to education.
3. Inspire and motivate students to achieve to the maximum of their capabilities.
4. Promote a positive image of the school within the community.
5. Direct and supervise current curriculum instruction, current curriculum planning, assessment instrument data analysis, and teacher in-service training utilizing scientifically researched based programs.
6. Direct and supervise the implementation of the Federal and State requirements.
7. Make classroom teaching assignments.
8. Communicate to and assist the faculty and staff to implement District Administrative directives, programs, and initiatives.
9. Select and use all instructional materials and equipment from District approved lists.
10. Requisition and disbursement of all instructional materials, supplies, and equipment.
11. Cooperate and assist in the development of schedules for his/her school of Program Coordinators, Consultants, Related Service Personnel, and Student Services Coordinators.
12. Maintain current files of all course outlines, curriculum guides, and assessment information.
13. Supervise the evaluation of all special projects.
14. Supervise the keeping of records required by the District and the State of Illinois.
15. Prepare reports as may be required by all district personnel.
16. On a continuing basis, but not less than twice annually, conduct a performance evaluation of all teaching personnel utilizing District approved evaluation instruments. Submit evaluation and recommendation to the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Labor Relations for further action.
17. Prepare a report for the Superintendent on the progress of all educational programs with emphasis on newly introduced programs. This report will be prepared twice in the school year on a schedule developed by the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, explaining all variances in the actual cost of operation from budget projections.
18. Provide instructional updates to the Superintendent on all matters affecting the instructional program, with emphasis on those which will be of community interest.
19. Direct and supervise the implementation of Federal and State requirements for all programs.
20. Prepare and submit verified information on the attainments achieved in the instructional program as well as implement appropriate strategies that lead to student achievement gain.
21. Cooperate and assist in the planning, development and use of building and equipment needs for existing and planned programs.
22. Submit all travel requests for self, staff, and teaching personnel for approval for both in and out of District travel.
23. Develop and implement specific professional development plan for staff. All expenditures must be related to this plan.
24. Respond to parent and community complaints in a timely fashion.
25. Prepare an annual operating report and an annual operating budget in all categories of cost in conformity with the District calendar and consistent with District priorities.
26. Attend all meetings and conferences as called by the Superintendent, Superintendent’s Designees, and Central Office Staff.
27. Maintain an attitude and a schedule of “ready visibility and accessibility’ to all students, teachers, and staff members.
28. Evaluate all non—certified personnel in the building at least once / year.
29. Other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Superintendent and / or his/ her designee.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this 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 regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 / 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in this environment is quiet to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:   

I have received a copy of this job description. It has been discussed with me and I have freely chosen to comply with the performance and behavior/conduct expectations contained herein.