All candidates shall have earned a minimum of the appropriate master's degree from an accredited college or university. They must hold a valid certificate covering the area of service from the Iowa Department of Education.

 

 

Elementary and secondary school Principals shall be appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of schools for a term not to exceed two (2) years, which term may be renewed annually.

 

General Functions

Subject to the policies of the Board and to the directives issued by the Superintendent, the Principal shall have charge of their building and grounds, all pupils, teachers, operating personnel and all activities carried on therein or thereon.  They shall be directly responsible to the Superintendent of schools or the Superintendent’s designee.

The primary function of the building Principal is to provide leadership that will develop a quality learning environment and program.  The building Principal’s other responsibilities includes discipline measures, student records, teacher evaluation and supervision, faculty meetings, arranging for substitute teachers, establishing building schedules, submitting to the Superintendent a budget estimate for their building, supervising and directing the expenditure of the finalized building budget, and other duties as assigned.

 

Specific Functions

The Principal's Role in School Management

As key administrator of the building, the principal:

• Knows and consistently adheres to the state legal code and local District policies.
• Exercises full responsibility for the organization and administration of all activities, personnel, physical  facilities, and supplementary services within the assigned building.
• Serves as liaison between the school, staff, students, and community.
• Shares responsibility for the recruitment and selection of all staff members.
• Determines appropriate schedules for students and teachers.
• Recognizes and supports the educational value of team management.
• Implements negotiated contracts, which have been agreed upon by the Board of directors and the employee units.
• Administers the safety and security procedures for the building, equipment, grounds, and transportation.
• Assumes responsibility for administering the instructional budget.

 

The Principal's Role in Leadership

As instructional leader, the Principal:

• Demonstrates a student centered philosophy of education and considers the welfare of students as a paramount responsibility.
• Assumes the leadership role in developing philosophy, teaching strategies, and techniques.
• Demonstrates knowledge of curriculum; shows balanced concern for all subject matter areas and activity programs.
• Assists in creating a favorable working atmosphere within the building that is conducive to optimum growth and learning.
• Works with the staff in designing and providing effective in‑service programs.
• Promotes student and staff feelings of personal worth.
• Promotes high staff morale and high commitment to professional growth.
• Maintains professional growth through workshops, seminars, conferences, and personal reading.
• Studies and evaluates current programs in education and works with the instructional staff to implement those programs consistent with the goals and objectives of the District.
• Contributes to the profession through active participation in professional organization activities.

 

The Principal's Role in Supervision

As supervisor of the facilities, staff, and program the Principal

• Establishes and administers rules and regulations pertaining to the welfare and management of students.
• Maintains accurate records and prepares reports.
• Organizes and administers all student activity programs.
• Works with instructional staff in recommending promotion/retention/graduation policies.
• Coordinates budget development and makes recommendations for programs, staff, and building needs.

 

The Principal's Role in Evaluation

As the person who is ultimately accountable for the effectiveness of the overall program, the Principal:

• Conducts a continuous evaluation procedure for all building personnel and recommends to the Superintendent their assignments, promotion, transfer or dismissal.
• Evaluates curriculum programs through testing, observation, and analysis.
• Develops programs for evaluating student progress towards stated instructional objectives.                                                             

The Principal's Role in Communication

As an effective communicator, the Principal:

• Interprets learning programs and Board policies to the community.
• Provides information to students and parents about school programs and services.
• Provides opportunity for parents' and residents' involvement in advisory and volunteer groups.
• Serves as intermediary between staff and other administrators.
• Is aware of resources of the community, which could serve as a laboratory for learning.
• Maintains an awareness of factors outside the school, which affect the school structure.
• Maintains an open line of communication with staff.

 

 

The Superintendent shall conduct an ongoing process of evaluating the Principals on their skills, abilities, and competence.  Annually, the Superintendent will formally evaluate the Principals. The goal of the formal evaluation process is to ensure the education program for the students is carried out, promote growth in effective administrative leadership for the District, clarify the building Principal's role as the Board and the Superintendent see it, ascertain areas in need of improvement, clarify the immediate priorities of the responsibilities listed in the job description, and develop a working relationship between the Superintendent and the Principal.

The formal evaluation shall include written criteria related to the job description. The Superintendent, after receiving input from the building Principals, shall present the formal evaluation instrument to the Board for approval.

The formal evaluation shall also include an opportunity for the building Principal and the Superintendent to discuss the written criteria, the past year's performance and the future areas of growth. The evaluation shall be completed by the Superintendent, signed by the building Principal and filed in the building Principal's personnel file.

It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent to conduct formal evaluation of the probationary building Principals and non‑probationary building principals prior to June 15 at a time mutually agreeable to the building principals and the Superintendent.

This policy supports and does not preclude the ongoing informal evaluation of the principal's skills, abilities and competence.