Job Title: Principal

Job Purpose: 

The Principal serves as the chief administrator and instructional leader of the assigned Charter School, developing and implementing programs, curriculum and instructional resources, and budgets in a manner that promotes the educational growth of each student and the professional development of each staff member. The Principal supervises the certificated and support staff and manages the Charter School’s day-to-day functions. The Principal acts as the chief leader at the Charter School and is responsible for facilitating all programs as outlined in the governing charter.

Team Relationship: 

The Principal is directly responsible to the Superintendent and works closely with The Academies CMO (TACMO) administrative staff and school site staff. The Principal has supervisory duties as indicated in The Academies CMO Organizational Chart.

Essential Job Functions:

• Ensures the Charter School enacts its mission/vision.
• Supervises and evaluates site teachers and staff, as indicated by organizational chart.
• Communicates and reports to the Superintendent.
• Oversees school site finances and ensures timely processing of Accounts Payable invoices, maintains up-to-date financial records
• Administers school site contracts.
• Participates in fundraising for the Charter School.
• Partners with the Vice Principal to manage student discipline in a manner consistent with Charter Management Organization (“CMO”) protocols and, as necessary, implements the suspension and expulsion process.
• Participates in IEP, 504, SST and other parent meetings as necessary.
• Ensures the security of the school building and partners with the Vice Principal to ensure School Site Safety Plans are annually updated, and staff receive adequate training to ensure student safety on a daily basis, as well as in an emergency situation.
• Serves or appoints a designee to serve on any committees of the Charter School.
• Ensures site-level compliance with all applicable state and federal laws.
• Effective conflict resolution skills.
• Communicates with parents, recruits new families and students, and assures families of academic growth.
• Takes responsible steps to secure full and regular student attendance in accordance with policies established by the Board of Directors.
• Follows all required evaluation techniques used for both students and staff.
• Follows CMO protocols for managing confidential or sensitive information and organizational tasks.
• Engages in general planning, conceptualizes the broad goals of the school and plans accordingly to ensure that procedures and schedules are implemented to carry out the school program.
• Coordinates staff to ensure the Charter School is aligned with the legal, financial, and organizational structure of the CMO. The principal articulates the responsibilities and accountability of staff members at the Charter School to ensure effective use of personnel resources and an effective team.
• Determines and implements needed professional development to enhance the quality of the instructional program.
• Develops and updates the School Accountability Report Card (SARC).
• Evaluates student progress in the instructional program through regular data analysis. Allocates resources to maximize impact on student achievement.
• Facilitates organizational efficiency, and maintains positive and timely inter-school and CMO level communication.
• Develops and maintains good relationships with students, staff, and parents.
• In collaboration with the Vice Principal, identifies the staffing needs of the school site.
• Participates in staff recruitment efforts.
• Interviews and recommends employee hiring, promotion and/or dismissal.
• Disciplines, issues corrective feedback, or establishes Improvement Plans for individual staff members as needed, per TACMO protocols.
• Identifies annual enrollment openings for student recruitment and orients new students/families.
• Participates in professional growth and training as needed.
• Maintains appropriate working relationships with crucial stakeholders (the board, staff, authorizer(s), district itinerant staff, and community).
• Attends monthly CMO board meetings, and makes site reports to the board.
• Is a staff liaison to the site’s Parent Teacher Organization (“PTO”).
• Promotes positive public relations and interacts effectively with media.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications:

• Valid California Administrative Services Credential. (required) 
• Valid California Certificated Credential (required) 
• Bachelor’s degree (required)
• Master’s degree or equivalent (strongly desired)

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of prior administrative experience in a public school setting (required)
• Minimum of 5 years of non-administrative certificated experience in a public school setting (desired)
• Public charter school experience (desired) 

Skills, Knowledge, and/or Abilities Required:

• Excellent communication and community-building skills.
• Extensive knowledge of and experience with curriculum development.
• Belief in TACMO’s educational philosophy and program elements outlined in the authorizer’s approved charter petitions and board-approved strategic plan.
• Strong leadership capabilities, including entrepreneurial and strategic vision.
• Caring for students and their success in learning: a deep commitment to student achievement.
• Strong instructional leadership and a positive role model for staff and students.
• Knowledge of educational psychology, learning theories, developmentally appropriate practices, and curriculum development.
• Commitment to excellence and ongoing professional growth.
• Integrity in all dealings with the school community; is respectful, thoughtful, decisive, principled, honest, and fair.
• Recognition and acceptance of own responsibility for the success of the school as an entity, as well as the success of individual students, and flexibility, resourcefulness, and commitment to both.
• Ability to follow established procedures in an emergency situation.

The TACMO Board of Directors will consider candidates for the Principal position based upon a combination of education/certifications, experience, skills, knowledge and/or abilities, and mission fit.