Duties
The Principal is responsible for leadership and direction in any curriculum endeavor occurring within the school. He/she must work closely with administrators and teachers on problems of curriculum revision and implementation. The following duties are typical responsibilities in this area:
- Ascertain the need for curriculum change
- Involve teachers and administrators in the curriculum change process
- Adapt and implement committee recommendations
- Make building curriculum recommendation to the Assistant Superintendent/Instruction
The Principal shall coordinate the School Improvement Plan for the campus.
- Oversee the operations of the School Improvement Plan (SIP) team
- Supervise the development and timely submission of the School Improvement Plan
- Serve as a liaison to Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), South Cook Intermediate Service Center (SCISC), and Statewide System of Support in school improvement efforts.
He/she shall participate in the selection of professional personnel to be employed by the school in a manner to be determined by the Superintendent.
He/she shall direct the teacher evaluation program and submit written reports to the Superintendent on all teachers being recommended for tenure, retention, or dismissal. The following duties are typical responsibilities in this area:
- Assign tenure and non-tenure personnel to evaluators
- Orient teachers to the evaluation process
- Assist administrators in working with problem teachers
- Make tenure recommendations to the Superintendent
The Principal shall organize meetings of teachers, division coordinators, administrative personnel and other staff members when necessary.
In cooperation with the Deans and the Assistant Principals, he/she will act as a secondary resource on pupil control matters. The following duties are typical responsibilities in this area:
- Consultant to deans on disciplinary measures
- Conferring with parents and teachers on unusual problems
- Help to interpret pupil control policies and rules
- Coordinating actions of pupil control officers
- Help orient pupils to school rules and policies
- Refer chronic discipline problems to the Superintendent for possible expulsion
He/she shall have a cooperative relationship with administrative staff members working with various federal continuing education programs.
He/she is responsible for the organization and administration of student personnel records. The following duties are typical responsibilities in this area:
- Certify pupils for promotion or graduation
- Supervise the issuance of employment certificates
The Principal has the important responsibility of assisting the school’s clerical and secretarial staff in the improvement of their service and in meeting the responsibilities of their position. The following duties are typical responsibilities in this area:
- Acquaint new staff with school policies and routines
- Help develop job descriptions
- Coordinate office procedures
The Principal organizes, administers and supervises the functioning of the general school office.
The Principal, cooperating with teachers and custodians, shall be responsible for the development of fire prevention, fire drills and civil defense procedures.
The Principal shall give direction to the Buildings & Grounds Supervisor and his staff in all matters concerning general maintenance and cleanliness of the school building and school property. The following duties are typical responsibilities in this area:
- Appraise adequacy of present plant
- Determine alterations and additions to be made
- Work with building superintendent in matters concerning maintenance and accounting of school property and school building.
In the area of professional in-service growth of the faculty and staff, the Principal shall encourage professional advancement and training. The following duties are typical responsibilities in this area:
- Participate in planning of orientation sessions for teachers new to the staff
- Help plan and administer workshop programs
- Develop a professional library for the staff
- Encourage and plan for staff participation in professional meetings
He/she shall regularly report to the Superintendent on the operation of the school and shall serve as a member of the District Cabinet.
He/she shall see that all faculty members are properly oriented and that they understand school policies, rules and regulations. The following duties are typical responsibilities in this area:
- Acquaint new staff with school policies and routines
- Prepare bulletins for new staff
- Prepare teachers’ guidebook at the beginning and end of each semester
- Schedule and run faculty meetings as needed
He/she shall be responsible for developing and administering the building budget. Typical responsibilities in this area are:
- Prepare supply and equipment budget
- Approve all requisitions for supplies and equipment
- Monitor divisional budgets to promote fiscal responsibility
In cooperation with all staff members, he/she shall be involved in a good public relations program to keep the staff, students and community informed of school objectives, activities, accomplishments, etc. The following duties are typical responsibilities in this area:
- Orient parents to the school goals and programs through correspondence, Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings and school visitation programs
- Orient eighth grade parents and students to the school program and pupil requirements
- Issue and encourage the issuance of news releases which will instruct the public about the school
- Publish and distribute a monthly newsletter to parents
He/she shall cooperate with the PAC, parents, parent-support groups, and other community organizations in the advancement of their activities.
The Principal shall play a key role in gathering and critically analyzing information regarding the school and the community. The following duties are typical responsibilities in this area:
- Determine research needs
- Assign special personnel to carry out research programs
- Analyze school problems, trends and conditions
- Follow up on research findings with recommendations to the Superintendent
The Principal shall work with other teachers and administrators in planning activities at the end of the school year and shall be responsible for planning commencement exercises.
He/she shall issue special reports and bulletins when needed. The following duties are typical in this area:
- Emphasize and interpret school policies
- Disseminate information to staff
- Send appropriate communiqués to the community
He/she shall receive and respond to applications for grad course work approval.
He/she shall chair the building Administrative Council.
He/she shall attend Board meetings and other meetings as directed by the Superintendent.
He/she shall receive and respond to all leave requests:
- Personal and emergency leave
- Sick leave
- Professional meetings
- Travel
He/she shall be responsible for any other duties assigned to him/her by the Superintendent and/or the Assistant Superintendent.
Qualifications
Doctoral degree from an accredited university highly preferred
Three to five years of principalship experience, preferably at the secondary level
State of Illinois teacher license
Principal Endorsement formerly a General Administrative Endorsement
Salary/Benefits
Multi-year contract and compensation to be determined by the Board of Education