Job Title: Principal

Reports to (Title): Superintendent

Terms of Employment:

Administrative and Building Supervisors Salary Scale A-4

Hours per day: 8

Days per year: 230

Type of position:

Full-time

FLSA Status:

Exempt

General Summary:

Under general supervision administers and supervises the implementation of the district’s mission and vision and ensures effective daily operation on the school level.

Essential Functions:

• Supports and upholds the mission, vision and strategic goals of Lexington County School District One; articulates a clear vision and mission for a 21st century school aligned with the district strategic plan and priorities.
• Effectively interacts, communicates and collaborates with students, parents, teachers, colleagues and other stakeholders to foster student learning.
• Establishes a safe, supportive, positive, high performance learning and working environment for all students and staff.
• Implements the policies, regulations and requirements of the board of trustees, the superintendent, and/or designees.
• Assists in the development of general system policies and procedures; develops and executes building rules, regulations and procedures consistent with general system policies.
• Assigns school personnel to effectively implement general system policies and procedures.
• Supervises and is responsible for the care and operation of school buildings, equipment, materials and grounds.
• Executes a program for recruitment, selection, assignment, orientation and other related personnel activities for the assigned school.
• Evaluates certified and support personnel in accordance with state and school board policies and procedures.
• Recommends employment and dismissal of personnel in accordance with district personnel policies and procedures.
• Monitors substitutes for teachers and other staff positions.
• Stays abreast of innovative trends and research studies in the field of education and interprets their potential usefulness within the framework of the total school program; demonstrates lifelong learning.
• Ensures effective professional learning for staff.
• Assists in the selection and distribution of all instructional materials and supplies.
• Demonstrates a variety of skills to foster independent, creative, critical thinkers and problem solvers who excel in a 21st century, knowledge-based society.
• Demonstrates characteristics such as competence, leadership, strong work ethics, personal integrity, professional demeanor, etc. to promote a positive image of the school and district.
• Supports student and teacher collaboration.
• Demonstrates strong curriculum knowledge.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of both formative and summative assessments; analyzes assessment data in relation to student learning and develops instructional strategies to close the learning and performance gap.
• Maintains school accreditation.
• Monitors school budgets and manages funds appropriately; seeks, makes application (when applicable), monitors and evaluates all federal and state grant funding programs; submits required reports as necessary.
• Ensures all contractual agreements are approved by appropriate district personnel before commitments or other forms of obligations are made.
• Assists in the preparation of various district, state and federal assessments and reports as required for monitoring and implementing the total school program.
• Assists in the supervision of students in school-sponsored events, including before and after school activities.  
• Plans, organizes and implements the school’s emergency preparedness plan.
• Networks with parent and community organizations, resource personnel and outside support agencies to ensure positive student and staff welfare.
• Coordinates activities of assigned school with activities of other schools and district-sponsored events within the system.
• Attends and conducts student and staff meetings.
• Participates in professional meetings, educational conferences, and training workshops as required.
• Selects and requests instructional aides, technology tools, equipment, and supplies needed to perform daily activities; provides for safe storage and proper use of all materials, equipment and tools.
• Operates general office equipment as needed to conduct daily activities.
• Effectively uses personal computing devices and software applications for the management of student records, instructional efficiency and professional development.
• Meets with parents, administrators and school counselors as needed to discuss student performance, activities, etc.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Education/Work Experience:

• Master’s degree in educational administration or related area of discipline with a minimum of three years administrative experience
• Valid South Carolina teaching and administrative certification 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a principal or equivalent position. 
• Evidence of ongoing professional learning.
• Leadership roles on various implementations or committees.
• Evidence of community service and/or involvement.
• Demonstrated evidence of effective communication with parents/guardians/caregivers.
• Demonstrated experience cultivating a school culture that promotes the ongoing improvement of learning and teaching for students and staff.
• Experience leading a school through implementing a student-centered instructional design, including differentiated instruction using the gradual release of instruction model.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of effective middle school education principles, practices and trends.
• Experience with strategic scheduling, staffing, and budgeting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of school operations and management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of working with and understanding the needs of students and staff from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to coach adults to build their capacity and show instructional growth as a result.

Knowledge/Skills:

Knowledge of and ability to communicate the policies, procedures and activities of the school district which pertain to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Knowledge of the records, forms and reports which must be prepared and maintained. Knowledge of and ability to demonstrate proper maintenance, safe operation and utilization of equipment, materials and supplies used in daily activities. Knowledge of and ability to implement training methods used to provide instruction to students using 21st century teaching techniques and/or supervised practice. Knowledge of and ability to implement evaluation procedures for certified and support staff. Ability to provide training, instruction and guidance to teachers and staff. Ability to analyze data and develop improvement plans to address achievement and performance gaps. Ability to respond to any situation related to the responsibilities of the job on a twenty-four hour/seven days per week basis. Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in supervising the school, handling difficult situations, developing priorities, making recommendations, handling complaints and inquiries from the public, etc. Ability to identify student adjustment and/or academic problems, provide counseling and/or recommend appropriate remedial action based on knowledge of available student services and referral procedures. Ability to supervise students and maintain order in various classroom and instructional activities and situations. Ability to demonstrate conflict resolution skills. Ability to work with individuals and groups from a wide variety of educational and cultural backgrounds. Ability to demonstrate strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational and time management skills. Ability to demonstrate high level application of technology devices in the performance of daily activities. Ability to interact and communicate effectively with students, parents, colleagues and all other stakeholders involved in the activities of the job.

Working Conditions:

Conducts duties primarily indoors with no exposure to adverse environmental conditions; occasional outdoor responsibilities with limited exposure to environmental conditions may be required. Requires constant attention working with students and carrying out high level responsibilities that often have time constraints and legal ramifications. Physical demands are restricted to classroom/office work requiring occasional lifting/moving of items up to fifty pounds. Local travel is required; occasional overnight travel may be required.

Responsibility:

Responsible for implementation of all state, federal and school board policies and procedures. Responsible for effective supervision of students and staff. Responsible for the school budget. Responsible for the effective operation of the total school operation.

Evaluation:

Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of the school board’s policy on evaluation of certified personnel.

Disclaimer Statement:

This job description is not intended as a complete listing of job duties. The incumbent is responsible for the performance of other related duties as assigned/required.