Principal, Elementary

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to prepare college and career-ready students for lifelong success.

OUR VISION

We are a premier district of choice that meets the diverse needs of all students by creating an inclusive community that fosters a strong sense of self-worth.

DISTRICT CULTURE

Southwest Public Schools believes in promoting a culture that embodies and fosters a collaborative approach to learning. Staff relationships are collegial, collaborative, and productive, and all staff members are held to high professional standards. Mistakes are not seen as failures but as opportunities to learn and grow for both students and educators.

POSITION SUMMARY

Serves as the school’s educational leader. Responsible for managing policies, regulations, and procedures to ensure all students are supervised and educated in a safe learning environment that meets the approved curricula and mission of the district and campus. Guides the character of the school and serves as a model for staff; pivotal in building a high performing team of teachers and support staff. Dedicated to helping students achieve personal and academic success by using proven best practices for teaching and learning.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Develop and implement plans to:

Increase student achievement

Increase attendance

Strengthen instructional opportunities and academic programs

Recruit and retain student enrollment

Provide a safe learning environment

Provide student services

Provide extracurricular activities

Comply with federal, state, and local laws and Board policies and procedures and other school district initiatives.

Communicate, collaborate, and build strong relationships with key stakeholders including:

Teachers and staff, students and parents, community and business partners, and other members of the school and district community.

Entire administrative team, both on campus and central administration, to build trust and communicate openly and candidly to problem solve

Instructional Leadership and School Management

Assume administrative responsibility and instructional leadership for the campus.

Build a common vision for school improvement with staff.

Establish clear expectations for staff performance with regard to instructional strategies, classroom management, and communication with the public.

Foster collegiality and team building among staff members. Encourage their active involvement in decision-making process.

Develop, maintain, and use information systems, records and student assessment programs to show progress on performance.

Develop, review, revise, and continuously update the Campus Improvement Plan.

Demonstrate thorough understanding of state and federal accountability systems.

Implement, communicate, and monitor Response to Intervention expectations to staff, parents, and students.

Direct the development and implementation of campus specific Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and staff development.

School/Community Relations

Analyze and interpret available data to address needs of school and community.

Communicate effectively with students, staff, parents and other administrators to share information, develop plans, resolve conflicts, and maintain a positive culture and climate.

Establish techniques to ensure parent and community involvement.

Student Management

Work with faculty and students to develop and communicate a student discipline management system that results in positive student behavior, enhances the school climate, and addresses at-risk students.

Ensure that school rules are uniformly applied and that student discipline is appropriate and equitable in accordance with Student Code of Conduct and student handbook.

Conduct conferences about student and school issues with parents, students, and teachers.

Conduct campus level investigations and respond appropriately.

Personnel Management

Interview, select, evaluate, and grow high quality school staff

Recommend to the appropriate stakeholders decisions regarding termination, suspension, transfer, promotion, renewal/non-renewal of employees assigned to the campus.

Define expectations for staff performance regarding instructional strategies, classroom management and communication with the public.

Observe employee performance, record observations, and conduct evaluation conferences with staff.

Coach staff and help them identify and develop appropriate professional growth opportunities as well as accomplish improvement goals, recognizing them for efforts and achievements.

Enforce contractual provisions and administrative regulations regarding employee’s conduct and performance.

Conduct campus level investigations and respond appropriately.

Use appropriate strategies for staff feedback and growth, included but not limited to: coaching, conferencing, informal documentation, formal documentation, and growth plans.

Use good judgement to determine staff retention and/or dismissal based on the needs of the students and campus in consultation with the CEO/Superintendent and Chief Human Resources Officer.

Fiscal, Administrative and Facility Management

Oversee expenditures, maintain fiscal control based on documented program needs, and accurately report financial information.

Manage the use of and coordinate the maintenance of school facilities and grounds to ensure a clean, orderly and safe learning environment.

Assume responsibilities for requisitions, supplies, textbooks, equipment, fixed assets, and all materials necessary to the operation of the school.

Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required including accurate and timely reports of maximum attendance to requisition textbooks.

All other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree: Master’s degree preferred.

Valid Texas Administrator’s Certificate preferred.

T-TESS certification preferred.

Minimum of 3 years’ successful teaching experience, preferably at the elementary level.

Minimum of 3 years’ leadership experience, preferably at the elementary level.

Experience working with diverse student populations, parents, and other stakeholders.

Experience with campus reconstitution and/or turnaround preferred.

OHER POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into focus; judge distance (close and distant); reach with arms extended and use hands to manipulate the keyboard, smart board and other classroom technology.

Ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds, including but not limited to books, paper, and instructional materials/supplies.

This position requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, kneeling, and/or the ability to be mobile.

Ability to travel throughout the district and city as needed by means of personal/private or public transportation in compliance with the state's department of motor vehicle and/or public transportation laws.

EXPECTED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Ability to build and sustain positive, collaborative relationships both internally and externally

Knowledge of federal, state and local educational goals and objectives

Knowledge of statutory and regulatory requirements in area of responsibility

Ability to interpret laws, rules, and policies

Ability to supervise people

Ability to plan and present information to a variety of audiences

Ability to facilitate various size groups using facilitative leadership skills

Skills in written and oral communication, planning, and organization

Knowledge of current educational trends, methods, research, and technology

In-depth knowledge of assigned program and service area

Ability to collect, analyze and interpret data

Ability to work independently

Proven research and analytical skills

Strong communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills

Ability to be self-directed

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I have carefully read and understand the contents of this position description. I understand the responsibilities, requirements and duties expected of me. I understand this is not necessarily an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with the position. While this list is intended to accurately reflect the current position, the employer reserves the right to revise the functions and duties of the position or to require that additional or different tasks be performed as directed by the employer.

I understand that I may be required to work overtime, different shifts, or hours outside the normally defined workday or workweek. I also understand that this position description does not constitute a contract of employment nor alter my status as an at-will employee. I have the right to terminate my employment at any time and for any reason, and the employer has a similar right.

Southwest Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, we will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Southwest Public Schools does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.

This description describes the general responsibilities and requirements for the stated position and in no way is an exhaustive list. Southwest Public Schools maintains the right to assign or reassign responsibilities to this position at any time.