Principal-Elementary

POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION TITLE:  School Principal, Elementary (PreK-5)

SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT: New Hope Elementary School

SALARY: Admin salary schedule plus 17.5% local supplement

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Superintendent

SUPERVISES: All school personnel – directly or indirectly

WORK WEEK SCHEDULE: 12 months, Monday – Friday; late evenings and weekends as necessary

POSITION PURPOSE:

The School Principal serves as the chief administrator of the school, developing and implementing policies, programs, curriculum activities, and budgets to promote the educational development of each student and the professional development of each staff member. As the chief administrator, the School Principal will provide instructional leadership to school staff and work cooperatively with all stakeholders to support the educational development of each student and the professional growth of each staff member. The School Principal will supervise and direct all personnel, facilities, and programs in the school.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge of cognitive, affective, social, and physical development of school children. Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local policies and procedures regarding the learning process in grades PreK-5.
• Thorough knowledge of the evaluation process of staff and the ability to provide appropriate counseling for improvement, as needed.
• Thorough knowledge of North Carolina’s accountability model. Considerable knowledge of school board policies, procedures, and standards regarding the education of students in Orange County Schools.
• Considerable knowledge of ethical guidelines applicable to the position as outlined by professional organizations and/or federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations. Considerable knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in education. Considerable knowledge of the North Carolina Course of Study and Common Core.
• Demonstrated skill in counseling and developing staff. Demonstrated skill in providing and/or presenting professional development for staff that encourages the professional growth of the school staff and enhances the quality of the instructional programs on campus.
• The ability to assess students' needs and the school atmosphere promotes school safety. The ability to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate educational programs within the school.
• The ability to evaluate the effectiveness of existing school programs and make recommendations for improvement.
• The ability to use common office machines and computer-driven word processing, spreadsheet, and file maintenance programs.
• The ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.
• The ability to make oral presentations before large groups of people. The ability to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with students, staff, system administration, parents, and the community.
• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in school administration.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience as a school administrator.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience as a classroom teacher.
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:

• NC Teacher’s License in any application area.
• NC Principal License, or eligible for certification.
• Valid driver’s license issued by the NC Department of Motor Vehicles

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Elementary school experience as a teacher and/or school administrator.
• Elementary school experience as an Assistant Principal
• Has demonstrated/proven culturally responsive and instructional leadership skills.
• Is knowledgeable of North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards, North Carolina Standard Course of Study, North Carolina Standards for Administrators, and the North Carolina School Executive Principal Evaluation Process.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conceptualizes and upholds the mission, vision, and belief statements of the school district, broad goals of the school, and plans accordingly to ensure that procedures and schedules are implemented to carry out the total school program.
• Ensures that the school program aligns with the school system's legal, financial, and organizational structure.
• Defines the responsibilities and accountability of staff members and develops plans for interpreting the school program to the community.
• Ensures the school is a safe and welcoming place for all students, staff, and families. Supervises in a fair and consistent manner, and implements effective discipline and attendance systems with high standards, consistent with the philosophy, values, and mission of the school.
• Ensures a safe, orderly environment that encourages students to take responsibility for their behavior and creates high morale among staff and students.
• Files all reports regarding violence, vandalism, attendance, and discipline matters as required by the NCDPI and federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
• Provides activities that facilitate professional growth for school staff and enhance the quality of the instructional program.
• Identifies the annual objectives for the school's instructional, extracurricular, and athletic programs. Ensures that the School Improvement Plan and processes are followed and reviewed throughout the school year.
• Ensures that the instructional objectives for a given subject and/or classroom are developed, along with detailed curriculum pacing guides.
• Involves the faculty and others in developing specific curricular objectives to meet the needs of the school program.
• Provides opportunities for staff participation in the school program.
• Establishes, implements, and evaluates procedures used to carry out the daily routine of the school.
• Evaluates student progress in the instructional program by means that include the maintenance of up-to-date student data.
• Supervises and appraises the performance of the school staff through observation formulas derived from the state of North Carolina.
• Maintains inter-school system communication and seeks assistance from the central office staff to improve performance.
• Establishes a professional rapport with students and with staff that encourages and promotes their respect.
• Displays the highest ethical and professional behavior and standards when working with students, parents, and school personnel.
• Serves as a role model for students, dressing professionally, demonstrating the importance and relevance of learning, accepting responsibility, and demonstrating pride in the education profession, encouraging school staff to do the same.
• Notifies the Superintendent, and other appropriate personnel and agencies when there is evidence of substance abuse, child abuse, child neglect, severe medical or social conditions, potential suicide, or students appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.
• Develops clearly understood procedures and provides regular drills for safety, emergencies, and disasters as required by the NC Statutes.
• Complies with established lines of authority and promotes school safety. Orients and assists new staff members and new students, and provides opportunities for their input in the school program.
• Encourages the use of community resources, cooperates with the community in using school facilities, interprets the school program for the community, and maintains communication with community members.
• Manages, directs, and maintains records of the materials, supplies, and equipment necessary to carry out the daily school routine. Involves the staff in determining priorities for instructional supplies.
• Organizes, oversees, and supports the various services, supplies, materials, and equipment used to carry out the school program.
• Involves families and the community and makes use of community resources. Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work is considered light physical work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force. WORK ENVIRONMENT Employees in this position are required to work in indoor and outdoor environments and come into direct contact with OCS staff, students, and the public.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

• The following signatures acknowledge that the supervisor has verified the accuracy of the position description, has discussed position requirements with the employee, and has advised the employee of work performance expectations

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by the supervisor, with HR review and approval, at any time.