MT. PLEASANT SCHOOL DISTRICT

JOB DESCRIPTION

MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

JOB TITLE:  MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Job Purpose Statement/s:        The job of “Middle School Principal” serves as the instructional leader of the sire.  The primary function of the instructional leader is to use leadership, supervisory, and administrative skills so as to promote the educational development of each student in the assigned building.

Directly Responsible To:          Superintendent

Essential Job Functions:

Curriculum Development, Supervision, and Evaluation

• Understands school curriculum, ensures teaching of the written curriculum, helps staff use curriculum resources
• Participates in and/or leads curriculum development activities commensurate with school and district goals
• Provides opportunities and encouragement for staff to increase professional expertise
• Identifies curricular and extra curricular needs by analyzing current programs and student achievement
• Works in collaboration with assistant principal and staff to develop the master schedule
• Regularly uses the results of student assessment data to identify problems and implement program improvements and/or pacing

Student Assessment and Monitoring

• Emphasizes student achievement as the primary outcome of schooling
• Systematically assesses and monitors student progress using objective and verifiable information whenever possible
• Works with staff to systematically identify and respond to at risk students; makes referrals to appropriate community agencies when needed
• Provides meaningful information to parents/guardians and others regarding student progress
• Maintains policies and practices for grading, reporting, and promoting

Student and Staff Relations

• Models and facilitates good human relations skills; effectively interacts with others
• Solicits information from school personnel and community in gauging the school climate
• Recognizes efforts of students and teachers
• Promotes the improvement of student and staff self-images
• Communicates high expectations for both staff and students and provides appropriate motivation to reach expectations
• Attends special events held to recognize student achievement and attends school sponsored activities
• Fosters collegial relationships with and among teachers and staff

Establishing an Effective Workplace

• Develops and maintains positive staff morale
• Defines and articulates a school philosophy with vision through board adopted goals and administrative recommended objectives
• Provides orientation for newly assigned staff members and assists in their professional development
• Conducts meetings of the staff as necessary for the proper functioning of the school
• Works with assistant principal to effectively:
• Implements a discipline code that is fair and promotes orderliness and student learning
• Protects instructional time by minimizing interruptions to the instructional process
• Coordinates teacher and student schedules to promote maximum learning and minimize conflict
• Maintains high visibility in the school
• Provides for adequate supervision and acceptable student behavior at all school functions planned and operated by school personnel

Staff Supervision and Personnel Evaluation

• Supervises professionals, teacher assistants, secretaries, and classroom volunteers within the building
• Assists in personnel evaluation
• Demonstrates objectivity in personnel evaluation
• Responsible for the recruiting, screening, hiring, training, and evaluation of the school’s professionals, teaching assistants, and secretarial staff
• Makes personnel assignments based on knowledge of employee abilities, qualifications, past performances, and school needs

Communication and Community Relations

• Listens and responds appropriately to staff, student, and community concerns
• Respects differences of opinion and fosters open communications among staff
• Develops communications that reflect and support management team decisions in the implementation of school board policies
• Communicates effectively with students individually and in groups
• Speaks and writes effectively
• Keeps the superintendent and other appropriate central office administrators informed of school activities and problems such as transportation, special services, discipline, etc.
• Communicates and works with central office and other principals to share ideas, problems, expertise, and personnel
• Interacts with school district and parent groups to promote positive outcomes
• Encourages parent visits and involvement in decision making
• Keeps the community informed about school activities through newsletters, news releases, and attendance at parent meetings, etc.
• Effectively utilizes community resources and volunteers to promote student learning

Decision Making and Problem Solving

• Considers research when making decisions
• Considers alternatives and consequences in the decision making process
• Makes decisions in a timely fashion and maximizes decisions effectiveness by follow up actions
• Clearly communicates decisions and rationale to all affected
• Seeks information from appropriate sources and strives for consensus in the decision making process
• Identifies problem areas and seeks solutions before crisis situations develop
• Effectively delegates decision-making and problem solving to appropriate personnel
• Implements needed change with appropriate support of staff, students, and community
• Delegates authority to responsible personnel to assume responsibility for the school in the absence of the principal

Professional Development

• Keeps abreast of changes and developments in the profession by attending professional meetings, reading professional journals, and discussing problems of mutual interest with others in the field
• Assumes responsibility for his/her own professional growth and development through membership and participation in the affairs of professional organizations, and through attendance at regional, state, and national meetings
• Plans and implements individualized improvement programs when necessary
• Effectively utilizes the expertise of school personnel, including self, in staff development
• Helps teachers implement objectives for themselves and students
• Provides opportunities for teachers to share and demonstrate successful practices
• Views self as a role model for expected staff behavior
• Perceives self as a change agent; works for self and organizational renewal

Building Management, Recordkeeping, and Financial Management

• Establishes and maintains rules and procedures for student and staff safety
• Promotes an aesthetically pleasing environment in the school
• Monitors plant, office, and equipment maintenance
• Promotes timely repair of school facilities and equipment
• Effectively copes with crises and emergencies
• Maintains accurate personnel, student, and fiscal records
• Prepares accurate budgets and effectively monitors expenditures
• Prepares required district reports accurately and efficiently
• Anticipates future building and equipment needs; plans appropriately to remedy
• Manages the daily use of school facilities for both academic and nonacademic purposes
• Other duties as assigned by Superintendent

Other Job Functions:

• Accepts responsibility for the signing of requisitions for supplies, texts, equipment and transportation before they are sent to Business Services.
• Organizes a student body organization, including an appropriate program of co-curricular and after-school activities.
• Prepares bell schedules and supervises fire and civilian defense drills.
• Accepts responsibility for identification and correction of safety hazards concerning the school.
• Coordinates the activities and efforts of school-related groups in such a manner as to benefit the total school program. 
• Accepts responsibility for the maintenance of all school, grounds, buildings and facilities.
• Other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

Qualifications:  Education and Experience

• Appropriate Administrative Credential
• Masters Degree
• Knowledge of State Standards and accountability acts.
• CLAD Credential or training in ELD instructional methodology.
• Knowledge or training in learning differences and special education.
• Successful experience in teaching.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bilingual

Working Conditions:

• Environment – The job functions are generally performed in an indoor environment.  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
• Physical Abilities – The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions for this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and talk, or listen.  The employee may sit for extended periods of time and must have dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust vision.  

Clearances:

• Licenses, Certifications, Testing Requirements
• Fingerprint/Criminal Justice Clearance; Tuberculosis clearance, Driver’s License

Salary Range:

            Management Salary Schedule, Column J     , Step 1-7 

      $132,794 - $158,391   215 work days

      Doctorate    $2,300

Revised 06 14 23