High School Principal, Indianola, IA

Join Our Leadership Team in Indianola! High School Principal Opening for 2026-27 school year!

We’re seeking an inspiring and student-centered leader to serve as our next high school principal __ someone who is ready to make a lasting impact in students, staff and the broader school community.  At Indianola Schools, we are proud to support strong leadership with competitive compensation and a commitment to professional growth.  We know great schools start with great leaders!

Located just south of Des Moines, Indianola offers the best of both worlds—a welcoming, small-town community with big opportunities for connection and growth. From the National Balloon Classic and Simpson College to Lake Ahquabi State Park, the Warren County Fair, and countless local events, you’ll find a community that truly feels like home.

Why Indianola CSD?

• A collaborative and supportive leadership team that values shared decision-making and strong relationships.with multiple special education teachers in each building—you’ll never feel like you’re on an island.

• A district culture focused on continuous improvement, innovation, and student success - grounded in our vision of "Proud Traditions...Unlimited Possibilities."

• Strong systems of support for staff, including instructional coaching, professional development, and leadership collaboration.
• A commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and engaging high school environment where all students and staff can thrive.

• A caring and connected community that values education and celebrates the success of both students and staff.

Learn more about what makes Indianola such a great place to live and lead:

Welcome to Indianola Video

Ready to lead a school community that values your vision, supports your growth, and believes in every student's potential? 

APPLY NOW!

INDIANOLA COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Position Description

Position Title:             Principal, High School

Department:               Administration

Reports To:                 Superintendent

SUMMARY:

Provides support to the instructional process with specific responsibility for directing overall site operations, services, and staff at a high school; providing information and serving as a resource to others; enforcing established policies and regulatory requirements; coordinating school activities and addressing issues, situations and/or problems that arise on campus or with enrolled students.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential duties must be performed on site. Other duties may be assigned.

• Attends work on a regular and predictable basis for the purpose of providing students and staff with high quality service and education.
• Provides leadership and direction to staff with regard to the ongoing evaluation and improvement of educational programs, including curricular activities.
• Promotes a school environment that is safe and conducive to individualized instruction, cooperative curriculum development, and student learning.
• Encourages staff to continue to grow professionally and to experiment with new approaches or strategies to teaching.
• Coordinates the work of school staff and school district program leaders to develop and implement instructional programs and teaching practices.
• Organizes and conducts regular walkthroughs and meetings with teachers for continuing development of management types and instructional techniques.
• Involves staff in the evaluation of programs and the planning of new programs.
• Supervises and evaluates teaching staff and other building employees in accordance with the school district’s evaluation plan, and makes recommendations regarding goals, areas needing improvement and continued employment
• Chairs meetings (e.g. curriculum, safety, site advisory, special district committees, etc.) for the purpose of coordinating activities and ensuring that outcomes achieve school, district and/or state objectives.
• Collaborates with Human Resources in the interviewing, hiring, evaluation, promotion and possible termination of assigned personnel for the purpose of ensuring that standards are achieved and performance is maximized.
• Consistent interaction with students for the purpose of educating students.
• Delegates responsibility for a variety of administrative functions to the Assistant Principal and Dean of Students and other personnel for the purpose of managing the workload more efficiently and developing leaders.
• Facilitates communication between personnel, students and/or parents for the purpose of evaluating situations, solving problems and/or resolving conflicts.
• Implements district policies, procedures and/or processes at a building level for the purpose of providing direction and/or complying with mandated requirements and supporting the district's vision and goals.
• Manages the operation of a school site (e.g. budget, staffing, student activities, parental involvement and communication, safety activities, graduation and baccalaureate programs, etc.) for the purpose of promoting a positive learning environment that is orderly, safe, and meets district guidelines and supporting the creation of a dynamic school system.
• Monitors the implementation of plans and procedures that promote the district initiatives at the building level and drilled down to specific content areas for the purpose of supporting the district vision and goals.
• Oversees the building budgeting process and financial forecasts for the purpose of providing financial guidance to staff, and recommendations to administrative personnel, Superintendent and/or governing Board.
• Presents information to Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Director of Teaching and Learning, School Business Official, staff, students, parent groups, and community forums (e.g. budget overviews, accounting processes, distribution formulas, SIP, staff and student accomplishments, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, gaining feedback and ensuring adherence to established internal controls.
• Supervises instructional personnel and classified staff for the purpose of monitoring performance, providing for professional growth and achieving overall objectives of school's curriculum.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervises students during extra-curricular, co-curricular and other school-related activities. Supervises teachers, support staff and volunteers.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor of Arts or Science degree from an accredited four-year college.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

Performs other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the school.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

A valid teaching license with content specific endorsement(s) through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

SKILLS are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: ability to analyze situations; customer service skills; critical thinking; communication skills; planning and managing projects; using pertinent software applications; preparing and maintaining accurate records; and administering personnel policies.

KNOWLEDGE of research-based instructional strategies and methodologies to enhance teacher practice. Knowledge is required to perform algebra and/or geometry; review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions.  Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: leadership knowledge and vision capacity; budgeting; how to work with all kinds of people, pertinent codes, policies, regulations and/or laws; conflict resolution; bookkeeping principles; and concepts of management and supervision.

ABILITY is required to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with a variety of data; and utilize job-related equipment. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; setting priorities; working as part of a team; working with frequent interruptions; creating a positive school climate for students, staff and community; motivating staff; and adapting to changing work priorities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsibilities include: working independently under broad organizational guidelines to achieve unit objectives; managing multiple departments; supervising the use of funds. utilization of significant resources from other work units is routinely required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to significantly impact the organization’s services.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 70% sitting, 15% walking, and 15% standing.  The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

EXPERIENCE:

Job related experience is required

EDUCATION:

Master’s degree in job-related area

REQUIRED TESTING:                                                   

None specified

CERTIFICATIONS: 

Current PK-12 Principal (#170) or 5-12 Principal (#189) and Evaluator (#190) certification and through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

CONTINUING EDUCATION/TRAINING:                       

Maintain required administrative certification

CLEARANCES: 

Criminal Fingerprint/Background Check       

FLSA Status:                                                                 

Exempt

Salary Grade:

TBD