Principal (2027 - 2028) (West Middle School)

FORT ZUMWALT SCHOOL DISTRICT PS301 

** BRING YOUR CHILDREN TO WORK! **

Our family-friendly workplace lets you balance career and parenting

JOB TITLE: Principal 

REPORTS TO: Superintendent 

FLSA: Exempt 

Note: Critical features of this job are described under the headings below. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. 

POSITION PURPOSE/SUMMARY 

The Principal will lead the vision, culture, and operations of the school by strategically directing academic excellence, fostering an inclusive learning environment, and developing collaborative and positive relationships among students, staff, families, and community partners. The Principal advances educational best practices while ensuring that all students achieve their highest potential through data-driven decision-making, effective resource management, and the cultivation of a safe and engaging school climate that prepares students for future success.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 

The Principal shall have completed at least a Master's Degree in Education and shall hold a valid Missouri School Leader/Principal certificate. The principal shall have at least two years of successful experience as a classroom teacher. Three years of prior administrative or supervisory experience is desired. 

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Assume responsibility for the implementation and observance of all Board policies and administrative regulations by the school's staff and students. 
2. Collaborate with appropriate members of the central administrative staff on school problems relating to general management functions of the total school district.
3. Confer with the superintendent as needed concerning the school's activities and special problems. 
4. Make recommendations concerning the school's administrative procedures and program of instruction.
5. Develop short-range, long-range, and ongoing school improvement planning consistent with the district's continuous school improvement plans. 
6. Prepare or supervise the preparation of reports, records, lists, and all other paperwork required or appropriate to the school's administration.
7. Prepare or supervise the requisitioning, receiving, and distributing of supplies, textbooks, and equipment, and keep an accurate record of supplies, textbooks, and equipment.
8. Coordinate the development of the school building's budget and monitor expenditures of funds. 
9. Establish building level procedures for the fundraising efforts of school clubs and support organizations that are consistent with district procedures and monitor expenditures from enterprise/activity accounts. 
10. Delineate responsibilities and authority at the building level and schedule staff members efficiently.
11. Supervise the operation of the total school program in the building
12. Serve as the instructional leader of the building and continuously work towards improved student learning outcomes.
13. Delegate authority to appropriate building personnel, such as assistant principals and/or staff members and provide professional growth opportunities for all staff members. 
14. Effectively implement and monitor curriculum changes within parameters established by district-wide instructional planning. 
15. Conduct staff meetings to effectively lead staff, keep members informed of policy changes, and modifications in operating procedures. 
16. Systematically evaluate the instructional program and use results while working in conjunction with the faculty to plan program improvements. 
17. Organize grade-level or departmental faculty meetings that are effective in improving the implementation of curriculum and instruction.
18. Demonstrate knowledge of the special education programs and work cooperatively with the Executive  Director of Special Services in effectively implementing and monitoring those programs within the guidelines of the district's adopted special education program. 
19. Participate, under the direction of the Chief Human Resources Officer, in the recruiting, screening, hiring, training, and assignment of the school's assigned staff. 
20. Evaluate all assigned staff members according to Board policy and district procedures; identify and communicate strengths and weaknesses to assigned staff members.
21. Support the improvement of classroom instruction, student/teacher rapport, discipline, attitudes, and relationships through observations (formal and/or informal) while identifying specific strengths and weaknesses. Communicate strengths and areas of weakness during collaborative conversations, scheduled conferences, and during the assigned evaluation processes. 
22. Develop the master schedule for the school, observing the limits set by the Fort Zumwalt School District and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. 
23. Supervise the preparation of teacher handbooks and student handbooks.
24. Assume responsibility for maintaining accurate and complete student records and ensuring adequate confidentiality. 
25. Encourage student attendance to meet building, district, and state goals
26. Maintain high standards of student conduct and enforce discipline as necessary according to due process and the rights of students. 
27. Organize, administer, and supervise a well-balanced program of student activities and evaluate the program effectively. 
28. Attend special events held to recognize student achievement and provide for the adequate administrative supervision of school-sponsored activities, functions, and athletic events. 
29. Act as liaison between the school and the community, interpreting activities and policies of the school and encouraging community participation in school life.
30. Collaborate with the Communications Department to present the school program in a variety of ways. 
31. Utilize district and school communication resources to inform patrons and members of the community about school programs, calendars, policies, school handbook, building newsletter, and special bulletins. 
32. Assume leadership in preparing and implementing plans for emergencies such as those involving accidents, fire, or other natural disasters. 
33. Assume responsibility for the safety, security, and administration of the school campus.
34. Cooperate with support service personnel in organizing and conducting effective maintenance, custodial, student nutrition, and other necessary support service programs, and make recommendations for improvements in those areas. 
35. Ensure administrative representation at all meetings of parent support groups of the local school.
36. Assume responsibility as an administrative officer for approving or disapproving any action proposed by parent support organizations, subject to normal appeal processes. 
37. Perform other duties as dictated by law or assigned by the superintendent of schools.

SUPERVISORY  DUTIES 

The Principal is responsible for supervising, evaluating, and developing all staff members serving in the assigned school.

MENTAL DEMANDS 

Ability to maintain highly confidential information; communicate clearly both orally and in writing, and/or ability to reason and make appropriate decisions. Solve a variety of problems in many different situations and have strong attention to detail. The Principal must also have the ability to define problems, collect data, verify facts, make valid conclusions, and deal with abstract concepts. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

An individual who holds this position must frequently move in and around buildings and grounds to visit classrooms, attend meetings, provide supervision of students, staff, and guests on campus, supervise bus loading and unloading area, and sit for an hour or more at a time. The Principal must be able to hear a conversation in a noisy environment.

CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is consistent with a typical office environment; however, the individual who holds this position will occasionally be required to be outside in temperatures below freezing and above 100 degrees.

The individual who holds this position is frequently required to work irregular or extended hours.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT 

The Principal shall be appointed for a term of one year during the month of March and shall be employed on a twelve-month basis. 

EVALUATION

Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with the provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of professional staff personnel.

Approved: October 20, 1980, Revised: April 5, 1982, August 19, 1996, July 20, 2020, May 19, 2025