Principal (ES, MS, HS)

Job Description Code: 4F.011

Division/Department: School Operations

Pay Grade: ES Salary Schedule, MS/HS Principal Pay Bands

Pay Type: Salaried; Exempt

Retirement: TRS

Contract Work Year: ES-210 Days, MS-215 Days, HS-235 Days

Reports To: Chief Operations Officer

Evaluation Instrument: LKES

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Master's degree or higher with Educational Leadership certification as required by the Professional Standards Commission. Minimum of five years as an educator and administrative experience.

GOAL

Contribute to the successful achievement of the Cherokee County School District mission and major system priorities by ensuring the effective organization and operations of the school environment to optimize student learning, instructional programs and related activities.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Articulate a vision and collaboratively work with staff, students, parents and all stakeholders to analyze academic achievement data and instructional programs to develop and to monitor progress of a School Improvement Plan that results in increased student learning; and improved overall school effectiveness.
• Consistently model and actively promote shared decision-making, high expectations, mutual respect and a positive school culture.
• Establish, communicate and implement school safety measures and crisis emergency plans to create and sustain a safe, secure, orderly and healthy learning environment consistent with District rules, policies and procedures.
• Ensure that all interschool contests and other school-sponsored activities are under the direct and complete control of school administration; and that related finances, reporting and accountability follow the same federal, State and local policies and procedures as established for school funds.
• Follow federal, State and local policies and procedures with regard to finances and accountability and reporting for all school funds; and the effective allocation of resources.
• Prepare and execute a fiscally responsible budget to support the school's mission and goals.
• Ensure the proper use and preservation of buildings, grounds, furnishings, equipment and facilities of the school.
• Select, assign, support, evaluate and retain quality instructional and support personnel in accordance with local, State and federal requirements.
• Recognize and support the achievements of highly-effective teachers and staff; and support professional development and instructional practices that incorporate the use of achievement data and result in increased student progress.
• Implement employee evaluation systems fairly and consistently, within required timeframe and format, to document proficiencies and deficiencies; and to provide timely formal and informal feedback.
• Foster the success of students by demonstrating professional standards and ethics, engaging in continuous professional development and contributing to the profession.
• Model professionalism in appearance, respect, understanding, sensitivity and demeanor.
• Allocate resources and time for teachers and staff to participate in professional learning.
• Possess and maintain valid and appropriate license, certificate and/or credential as may be required for this position.
• Follow work scheduling and attendance requirements in a regular, predictable and punctual manner; and designate a staff member to assume responsibilities in the absence of the principal.
• Plan for and solicit staff, parent, student and stakeholder input to promote effective decision-making and to provide a variety of opportunities for parent and family involvement in school activities.
• Foster the success of all students through timely and varied communication; and effective collaboration with stakeholders to utilize the resources and expertise available in the community.
• Administer regulations affecting scholarship and discipline, and counsel with students as needed.
• Ensure that grade report cards are properly completed and issued at designated times; and certify the compliance of individual students with the requirements for promotion or graduation, on the basis of records and reports from teachers.
• Assess, plan for, respond to and interact with the larger political, social, economic, legal and cultural context that affects the school, District and educational arena based on current issues, trends and practices.
• Submit to the Office of School Operations and/or Superintendent of Schools, as may be required, reports covering all details of the work of the school.
• Carry out duties in accordance with federal and state laws, Code of Ethics and established state and local school board policies, regulations and practices.
• Communicate effectively and appropriately with students, parents or guardians; District and school personnel; and other stakeholders to foster positive interactions and promote a positive educational climate.
• Fulfill contractual obligations and assigned duties in a timely manner; and perform professionally and efficiently other duties as assigned.

IMPORTANT NOTES

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Job descriptions are designed and intended only to summarize the essential duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and requirements for the purpose of clarifying the general nature and scope of a position's role as part of the overall organization. Job descriptions do not list all tasks an employee might be expected to perform, and they do not limit the right of the employer/supervisor to assign additional tasks or otherwise to modify duties to be performed - even if seemingly unrelated to the basic job. Every employee has a duty to perform all assigned tasks. (An employee who is assigned a duty or task believed to be unlawful should report the assignment to the Chief Human Resources Officer.) It should also be noted the order of duties/ responsibilities as listed in the job description is not designed or intended to rank the duties in any order of importance relative to each other.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

In filling a vacant position, preferred or required credentials regarding education, training, experience, and other bona fide occupational qualifications may be established. The credentials shown in this job description may be interpreted only as the minimum criteria existing at the time the description was developed. Other bona fide occupational qualifications and criteria may be utilized as needed in the selection process.

Fringe Benefits

FICA is paid by the employee and matched by the School District. Temporary workers do not qualify for employee benefits.

Adopted: April 20, 2000

Revised: March 2005, July 2008, October 2009, April 2011, July 2013, February 2017, July 2019, October 2019