Elementary School Principal
Elementary School Principal
A principal provides leadership in all aspects of a school environment. This includes implementing a school improvement model which focuses on high achievement for all students; building a positive school climate that supports the whole student; leveraging research and data to drive initiatives and instruction; and building a high-performing staff and leadership team to achieve the school’s vision and goals. A principal develops the right balance of strategic and tactical plans to achieve immediate success while maintaining long-term vision which mirrors the District’s Vision for teaching and learning.
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Superintendent of Schools
SUPERVISES: All Woodrow Wilson Elementary School Faculty and Staff Members
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Curriculum and Instruction
- Establishes and maintains a positive and productive learning environment in the school which supports the District’s philosophy of educating the Whole Child. This includes promoting a school culture that focuses on the emotional, physical and intellectual well-being of all students in grades 3-5.
- Collaborates and thoughtfully plans with the District’s Leadership Team to ensure that instructional programs are being developed and then monitored and evaluated in connection with the District’s Vision.
- Work collaboratively with the Primary School Principal and other District Office administrators for various K-5 initiatives such as assisting/monitoring the implementation of Lucy Calkin’s Reading and Writing Units of Study.
- Work collaboratively with the Superintendent & the Executive Director of Curriculum and Accountability to monitor curriculum implementation and recommend changes to instructional programs, as needed.
- Work with teachers to interpret data and create/monitor action plans for school improvement for continual growth and increased student achievement.
- Supervises and leads the development of the master schedule—works in collaboration with other principals to coordinate shared staff appropriately.
- Supervises all activities and programs that are extensions of the school’s curriculum.
- Supervises the administration of all 3-5 assessments and proctoring schedules to guarantee that all NYS requirements are met.
- Works collaboratively with the Director of Special Education to ensure that special education programming is appropriate for all students who require services.
- Oversees all building committees to certify that meetings are taking place, plans are being developed and results are being measured on a regular and consistent basis.
Staff and Student Supervision
- Assumes responsibility for the implementation of and compliance with all Board policies and regulations by staff and students.
- Supervises all professional, paraprofessional, and non-professional personnel attached to the school. This includes assuming responsibility for administration and supervision of special programs and staff within the building in conjunction with District policies and procedures.
- Plans and conducts all staff meetings.
- Prepares, updates and reviews the faculty and staff handbook each year.
- Encourages attendance and participation in professional meetings and conferences.
- Assists the Superintendent and District Leadership in the recruiting, screening, hiring, training, assigning, and evaluating of the school’s professional and support staff.
- Assists the Executive Director of Curriculum, Accountability and Professional Development in developing ongoing professional development/training of teachers and staff.
- Evaluates all staff members regarding their individual and group performance and leads meetings to ensure that all individuals are focused on ways to improve instruction.
- Records and files conference notes, supervisory reports, and other pertinent data on teacher and staff performance as requested by the Superintendent.
- Serves as ex officio member of all committees and councils within his/her school.
- Administers and supervises any local/state/federal grant projects within the building in accordance with district policies and procedures.
- Reviews, continuously revises as necessary, and enforces the District’s Code of Conduct which maintains high standards for all students and enforces discipline as necessary.
- Supervises the maintenance of accurate records on student health, performance, and attendance. Collaborates regularly with the school nurse.
- Works in direct connection with the School’s DASA Coordinator to ensure the most positive, caring and accepting school environment possible.
- Assumes responsibility for the safety, conduct, and well-being of all students and staff while on school grounds or while under school supervision.
- Reports to the Superintendent on the progress and attendance of all students.
- Maintains the educational record of each student in a cumulative manner, per regulation.
Fiscal Management
- Assists in the management and preparation of the school budget—this includes preparing and submitting the school’s budgetary requests as per the Business Official and Superintendent’s request and monitoring the expenditures of funds based on program and building needs.
- Carefully reviews teacher and other employee requisitions in relation to budget allotment.
- Works with department chairs, team leaders and individual faculty members in compiling the annual budget requests.
Building/Facilities Management
- Supervises the master teaching schedule and any special assignments to ensure that classes are scheduled appropriately, adequate time is provided for mandated instruction throughout the year, and students’ needs are being met.
- Assumes responsibility for the safety and administration of the school building and regularly reviews the school’s safety plan with both the safety committee and all staff.
- Supervises the daily use of the school facilities for both academic and non-academic purposes—this includes making sure that all doors remain locked as per the District plan as well as requiring all visitors to check in at the school office.
- Plans and supervises fire and lock-down drills, participates in the District’s Safety Team, and files required reports as per regulations.
- Assists in the safekeeping of the school building, grounds, furniture, educational materials, and other equipment and related properties.
- Delegates authority to responsible personnel to assume responsibility for the school in the absence of the principal. Notifies the Superintendent whenever absent from the school.
- Authorizes staff requests for leaves, conferences, and special functions.
- Ensures data security and confidentiality with staff, student, and family matters.
Public Relations
- Utilizes resources of the school system and the community in developing an effective educational program that encourages partnerships with businesses and colleges/universities.
- Receives and reviews complaints or problems concerning individual students and/or the operation of the school. Informs the Superintendent of such issues.
- Maintains active and positive relationships with students, parents/guardians, and families.
- Works in direct connection with the School’s PTO which includes attending all PTO monthly meetings—all PTO functions, events, etc. should be reviewed and approved by the building principal.
- Makes arrangements for special conferences between parents and teachers as necessary.
- Responds to written and oral requests for information.
- Attends special events held to recognize student achievement and attends school sponsored activities and functions which may take place before or after school hours.
- Cooperates and coordinates matters dealing with community based agencies such as social service agencies, law enforcement agencies, etc.
Professional Growth
- Remains current regarding trends, developments, and research as they pertain to education and school operation by attending professional meetings, actively contributing to leadership meeting discussions, reading professional journals and other publications, and discussing issues of mutual interest with others in the field.
- Actively participates in all District leadership and curriculum/professional development meetings in order to embrace a collaborative approach as educators.
- Attends workshops and conferences that relate to the District’s Vision.
District Level Administrative Duties
- Participates in Leadership meetings, Committee meetings, Board meetings, and such other meetings as are required or appropriate.
- Serves as a member of such committees and attends such meetings as directed to by the Superintendent, or his/her designee.
- Keeps the Superintendent, or his/her designee, informed of the school’s regular activities and concerns, as well as events and activities of an unusual nature.
- Assumes other such duties as may be deemed necessary by the Superintendent, or his/her designee.
OTHER DUTIES: Performs other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Twelve (12) months
EVALUATION: Performance in this position will be evaluated annually by the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee.