Purpose
The job of a Principal is for the purpose of the Instructional Leader of their school. The Principal is responsible for creating the vision for the school and translating that vision into reality. The Principal is responsible for managing the staff, students, and overall operations of a high school. The Principal will uphold academic standards by overseeing the curriculum and assessing student progress. The Principal will also work closely with teachers to create an inclusive learning environment and provide resources to help them succeed. In addition, the Principal manages school budgets and ensures that facilities are properly maintained. The Principal is also responsible for enforcing school policies and procedures to maintain a positive learning environment. The Principal is directly responsible for the academic achievement of all students and for creating a positive climate for the growth of students and staff, and community involvement.
Qualifications
Required:
- Master’s degree in Education, Administration, or other related field.
- Minimum of five (5) years teaching experience at the secondary level.
- Minimum three (3) years of leadership experience.
- Valid Arizona teaching and principal certificate.
- Valid AZ Department of Public Safety (DPS) Identity Verified Print (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card.
- Specific administrative experience through internship and/or previous employment in public schools including experience as a secondary assistant principal.
- Expertise in curriculum and instructional strategies and development; student assessment development and analysis; and instructional technology.
- Demonstrated background in instructional leadership and ability to work collaboratively.
- Demonstrated leadership and ability to work effectively with various groups, individuals, and a demonstrated ability to organize ideas and present with clarity and conciseness.
- Knowledge of dropout intervention best practices that lead to connection to the school community and student success.
- Ability to assume responsibility, exercise sound judgment, and handle confidential material and information.
- Knowledge of Arizona academic standards and ability to interpret test data to improve instruction and achievement.
- Effective professional relationships with students, teachers, administrators, parents, and the community.
- Experience and knowledge in Career and Technical Education (CTE), Advanced Placement (A.P.), Dual Enrollment and Alternative Education programs.
- Educational leadership in the profession through membership and participation in the community and in the professional organizations, as well as activities with students, teachers, community, and individual projects.
- Forward-looking in educational views and evidence of a willingness to accept change.
- Demonstrated competence in planning and developing educational facilities.
Preferred:
- Bilingual in English and Spanish.
- Knowledge of the school district and its departments, policies, and procedures.
Essential Functions
- Provide strong instructional leadership for implementation of Arizona academic standards addressed in the District’s curriculum.
- Develop, monitor, and evaluate the school’s Continuous Improvement Plan.
- Develop, organize, and plan for an educational program and school climate which provides the greatest learning opportunities for all students.
- Administers and maintains discipline throughout the student body and staff.
- Ensures the implementation of the District-approved program of instruction: creating a total school atmosphere conducive to optimum student progress, leads the ongoing development and evaluation of the District's educational programs, ensures implementing effective guidance and health services for all students, and leads in interpreting data for program improvement.
- Responsible for personnel management functions of the school: making recommendations regarding the selection of school personnel, interviewing prospective teachers for assigned curriculum area, supervise classroom instruction and evaluates teaching performance for assigned curriculum area, supervise classified staff, evaluates achievement and placement of students in assigned curriculum area, coordinates Summer School program, gathers members of the textbook selection committee for assigned area, developing effective lines of communication and staff input in educational planning, and disseminates budgets to all curriculum areas.
- Involve and lead staff in interpreting test data to improve instruction and achievement.
- Provide leadership to the implementation of a system for monitoring student performance, identifying student needs and communicating students’ educational development.
- Explicitly assess staff professional development needs.
- Maintain and improve the physical aspects of the school plant to insure the health and safety of all constituents.
- Provide appropriate supervision and constructive evaluation of certified and classified staff to promote professional growth and increase effectiveness.
- Provide leadership in the selection and orientation of staff.
- Demonstrate fiscal accountability for all funds allotted or collected by the school.
- Maintain high standards of student conduct and enforce discipline as necessary.
- Maintain favorable working relationships and communication with the schools’ stakeholders, students, parents, and other members of the community.
- Supervise the overall maintenance of accurate student records.
- Supervise the organization and execution of graduation, Open House, Future Freshman Night, Financial Aid Night, campus/community events, site testing, and daily campus activities.
- Maintain an active interest through participation in professional and community activities related to education.
- Participate in district educational meetings for the purpose of developing a stronger educational program.
- Coordinates administrative extracurricular supervision.
- Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating standard office equipment including utilizing pertinent software applications; planning and managing projects; preparing and maintaining accurate records; maintaining confidential and sensitive information; communicating effectively with individuals of varied cultural and educational backgrounds; communicate in oral and written form; prepare and present materials in a professional manner; manage personnel and programs; and work collaboratively with colleagues and the public.
KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read technical information, compose a variety of documents, and/or facilitate group discussions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: knowledge of classroom management, collaboration, communication, curriculum development, lesson planning, curriculum management software, curriculum mapping, education technology, instruction, leadership, pedagogy, andragogy, and training skills; knowledge of federal, state, county, local, and District codes; knowledge of federal, state, county, local, and district policies, regulations, and laws.
ABILITY is required to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events; gather and/or collate data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to direct others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with similar types of data; and utilize job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is low. Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: ability to provide consistent, fair, and policy-based direction to others and make independent judgments; ability to possess a high moral personal standard; maintain a high degree of integrity in all facets of work; ability to meet deadlines; ability to be courteous and able to effectively manage job responsibilities as well as being cooperative, congenial, service oriented, and to promote these qualities; ability to work in an environment with frequent interruptions; ability to be respectful and empathetic; and ability to promote team-building and shared responsibilities among administrative and professional personnel.
Responsibility
Responsibilities include: working as an Administrator using standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; tracking budget expenditures. Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to have some impact on the organization’s services.
Working Environment
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 80% sitting, 10% walking, and 10% standing. The job is performed under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness. Working conditions may require work to be performed in both the field with extreme weather conditions and in an indoor environment with minimal temperature variations and some hazardous conditions. The employee will regularly work indoors. The noise level in the work environment is moderate. Travel between District campuses and to locations outside the District is required. The working hours are somewhat flexible as the job may require hours beyond normal business hours.
Reports to: Superintendent
Terms of Employment: Twelve-month, full time
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| Evaluation: | This position will be evaluated annually as outlined in Governing Board Policy
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FLSA Status:
| Exempt
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Salary:
| Initial Placement Salary Schedule for Administrative/Support Exempt Personnel, Principal |
| Board Approval: | August 1994 (Revised)
April 2011 (Revised)
March 26, 2024 ( Approved) |