Principal

Principal

Serves as the chief administrator of a school in developing and implementing policies, programs, curriculum activities, and budgets in a manner that promotes increased student achievement and equitable outcomes for all students and the professional development of each staff member.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Extensive knowledge of best practices to ensure the academic growth of all students;
• Extensive knowledge of school-based management practices, curriculum, organizational patterns, school operations, and student services;
• Extensive knowledge of the evaluation process of staff;
• Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Google Apps; Microsoft Teams;
• Excellent customer service skills;
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to provide leadership and to supervise the planning, development, and establishment of new, modified, or improved programs, services, and activities;
• Ability to lead diverse staff in implementation of school district Strategic Plan;
• Ability to understand how to address achievement gaps and increase student achievement;
• Ability to complete complex tasks and minimize errors with attention to detail;
• Ability to maintain a highly motivated staff by providing a healthy and safe work environment and by communicating with employees in an honest, fair, and timely manner using sound judgment;
• Ability to independently resolve problems;
• Ability to organize information from multiple sources;
• Ability to handle confidential material;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback; excellent public speaking and presentation skills;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school system staff, students, parents, and the community.

Education, Training, and Experience

• Master's degree in education administration from an accredited college or university;
• School-based leadership experience.

Certification and License Requirements

• Hold or be eligible for a North Carolina Professional Educator's License for School Administrator-Principal;
• Must hold and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license according to the State of North Carolina requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five years of experience as a teacher or instructional support staff;
• Experience increasing student achievement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• General Planning: conceptualizes the broad goals of the school and plans accordingly to ensure that procedures and schedules are implemented to carry out the total school program.
• Strategic Coordination: ensures that the school program is compatible with the legal, financial and organizational structure of the school system. Defines the responsibilities and accountability of staff members and develops plans for interpreting the school program to the community.
• Equitable and Respectful Environment: models and encourages an inclusive and respectful environment. Ensures equitable access to resources and opportunities for all students.
• Enhancement of Personnel Skills: provides activities which facilitate the professional growth of the school staff and enhance the quality of the instructional program.
• School Objectives: identifies the annual objectives for the instructional, extracurricular, and athletic programs of the school.
• Curriculum Objectives: ensures that instructional objectives for a given subject and/or classroom are developed and involves the faculty and others in the development of specific curricular objectives to meet the needs of the school program. Provides opportunities for staff participation in the school program.
• Establishes Formal Work Relationships: evaluates student progress in the instructional program by means that include the maintaining of up-to-date student data. Supervises and evaluates the performance of the school staff.
• Facilitates Organizational Efficiency: maintains inter-school system communication and seeks assistance from central office staff to improve performance. Maintains good relationships with students, staff, and parents. Complies with established lines of authority.
• New Staff and Students: orients and assists new staff and new students and provides opportunities for their input in the school program.
• Community Engagement: encourages the use of community resources, cooperates with the community in the use of school facilities, interprets the school program for the community, and maintains communication with community members.
• Supplies and Equipment: manages, directs, and maintains records on the materials, supplies and equipment which are necessary to carry out the daily school routine. Involves the staff in determining priorities for instructional purposes.
• Services: organizes, oversees, and provides support to the various services, supplies, materials, and equipment provided to carry out the school program. Makes use of community resources.
• Student Outcomes and Measures: strategically maintains and monitors track records of continuously improving outcomes for students.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Work Environment/Physical Requirements

This job operates in a professional office and school environment and has a noise level of mostly low to moderate. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, scanners, and copiers. The position, at times, must be able to come into direct contact with school system staff, students, parents, staff members of external funding agencies, and the community. Work is considered light physical work, requiring the exertion of up to ten pounds of force. The work frequently requires driving automotive equipment.

Effective Date: 8/2024

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 required by the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by HR and approved at any time.