Principal

Shaping a Vision of Academic Success for All Students

• Define, articulate, and promote the mission, vision, and values of the high school and district.
• Coordinate and lead the school improvement process.
• Develop and implement a process that uses student course requests to determine a staffing plan and master schedule that appropriately distributes human capital and resources to meet the needs of all students.
• Establish high expectations for student achievement that are directly communicated to stakeholders.

Creating a Climate of Collaboration and Connection

• Establish and clearly communicate building priorities and long-range goals.
• Manage school safety and security processes, including crisis management procedures.
• Supervise the design and implementation of all building-level community events.
• Manage and engage all stakeholder groups, including teachers, staff, parents/guardians, and students.
• Personally interact with parent groups to promote positive school-community relations.
• Demonstrate fair and equitable treatment of all teachers, staff, and students by developing a sense of belonging and purpose.
• Promotes an environment in which conflict resolution is valued and worked through collaboratively.
• Supervise the administration of the co-curricular program according to I.H.S.A. and/or other appropriate regulations.

Cultivating Leadership in Others

• Demonstrate continued personal growth through participation in professional activities and organizations.
• Act as a role model for expected staff behavior by demonstrating leadership, management, communication, and instructional skills.
• Evaluate all Associate and Assistant Principal positions and the Executive Assistant to the Principal.
• Select, onboard, mentor, develop, and supervise the leadership team to ensure the sustainability and growth of the leadership team.
• Collaborate with other District administrators in assessing and recommending District programs and policies.
• Attend or lead all Board of Education, Northfield Township, and CSL Board of Control meetings.
• Perform special projects and assignments at the direction of the Superintendent.

Improving Instruction

• Support the implementation of the District-approved curricular scope in the high school setting.
• Effectively supervise and support the performance of the professional staff through frequent and ongoing observation and evaluation.
• Assist in the selection and assignment of high school personnel based on knowledge of ability, qualifications, past performance, and high school needs.
• Administer systematic and effective methods of objectively monitoring student progress.
• Evaluate progress toward instructional and organizational goals by utilizing data to identify, analyze, and implement areas for school improvement goals.

Managing People, Data, and Processes

• Provide oversight in the implementation of the school budget(s) and fiscal resources in accordance with system regulations, board policies, and legal requirements.
• Develop and implement administrative procedures consistent with federal law, state school law, state board of education, student/parent handbook, and local school board policy.
• Provide for the maintenance of accurate and current personnel, student, and fiscal records.
• Lead time-bound projects that are complex and multi-faceted.
• Establish and maintain the school master calendar and facility usage system.
• Maintain the quality of the educational environment and facilities to meet the needs of students and staff.

District, School, and Department Culture

• Models mutual respect; integrity; professionalism; multicultural awareness; gender, racial, and ethnic equity; and the values, beliefs, and attitudes that inspire others to perform to their highest potential.
• Engages in constructive dialogue and fosters positive relationships while respecting roles, responsibilities, and decision-making authority.
• Communicates effectively and consistently, maintaining open lines of communication with staff and stakeholders to ensure timely dissemination of information and to promote high expectations for performance.
• Builds a collaborative and supportive environment by working effectively with students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and the broader school community, while maintaining a visible and active presence within the building.
• Exhibits a strong sense of accountability for student achievement and organizational success, recognizing and celebrating staff contributions and accomplishments.
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous professional growth through participation in relevant organizations and ongoing learning to stay current with research and best practices.
• Promotes high expectations and advocates for data-informed decision-making across various contexts.
• Performs all responsibilities in alignment with professional, ethical, and Board policy standards.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in education or school administration (Ed.D. or Ph.D. degree preferred).
• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License with a General Administration or Principal endorsement.
• Progressive experience in teaching, related education specialty, supervision or administration, or equivalent education and experience.
• Minimum of five years of full-time administrative experience in a comparable high school environment.
• Experience supervising educational leaders from a variety of academic areas and/or operational areas.
• Principal and Teacher Evaluator Designation.
• Staff Development Experience.
• Experience working positively and productively with adults and high school-age students.
• Ability to present and produce documents at a high level of sophistication.
• Ability to make rational decisions, problem-solve, and effectuate change.
• Broad knowledge of the principles and practices of school administration and of current educational trends in curriculum and instruction.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the methods, materials, procedures, and practices of the specialties assigned to the office.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and stakeholders.
• Ability to manage fiscal, physical, and human resources to successfully carry out the functions and programs of the office.

Salary/Benefits

The base salary for licensed administrators will be determined by their placement on the teacher salary schedule, with an additional position-specific factor of 1.39, resulting in a salary range of $190,000 to $250,000. The 2027–2028 salary schedule is currently unavailable pending CPI adjustments, and salaries are subject to increase.