Middle School Principal
Position Purpose
Under the direction of the Superintendent, the Middle School Principal is responsible for providing educational leadership and management oversight of building personnel in implementing educational programming, curriculum, instruction, safety and district policies and procedures within the Middle School. Duties include responsibilities for coordinating the hiring of all staff; evaluating instructional personnel; implementing and overseeing building budget(s); coordinating and implementing district initiatives within the building; performing community/public relations activities in addressing and resolving issues, concerns and programs of the Middle School with staff, parents, administration and the community.
Essential Functions
- Plans for, oversees and monitors the security and safety of students in the Middle School. Develops and implements procedures to safeguard the safety of students and staff to ensure a safe and proper learning environment.
- Plans, formulates and implements building policies and procedures aimed at the prevention, communication or intervention of crisis or emergency situations.
- Coordinates, leads or handles crisis situations involving threats, use of weapons or situations that can cause potential harm to students and staff.
- Collaborates and works with the building personnel, law enforcement personnel, the building crisis team, and others in addressing and implementing safety issues, programs and procedures such as fire/tornado drills, building lockdowns, building searches, school/parking lot security, medical emergencies, vandalism, threats, and violence within the building.
- Coordinates the selection, hiring and evaluation of all building staff.
- Recruits potential job candidates.
- Creates interview teams and coordinates the selection process of staff.
- Conducts classroom observations, performs performance evaluations and provides staff feedback and guidance for improving performance and instruction.
- Mentors and provides staff development opportunities for staff.
- Serves as the main contact between licensed staff and personnel issues such as licensure issues, teaching assignments, job responsibilities, personal leaves, extended leaves, etc.
- Makes decisions concerning the assignment, discipline or dismissal of staff.
- Prepares and administers the budget for the Middle School.
- Manages and oversees the building instructional, capital and supply budget.
- Authorizes and approves the disbursement of building funds consistent with district administrative procedures and guidelines.
- Coordinates and monitors the staff development budget and balances of various student activity accounts.
- Seeks funding for plans and programs.
- Performs a variety of public relation functions within the District and serves as the primary spokesperson concerning building level issues and serves as a liaison between the building, District administrators, district officials and the community.
- Mediates disputes between students, teachers, staff, parents and the public.
- Prepares newsletters, memos, e-mails handles communications, staff meetings and periodic letters to parents.
- Represents the district in personal appearances on TV, radio, newspapers, district and building publications.
- Collaborates and works closely with district administration in matters impacting the district as a whole.
Resolves conflicts and addresses student discipline overload. - Coordinates and leads the development of a comprehensive middle school curriculum.
- Coordinates and oversees scheduling and assignments.
- Coordinates state testing and remediation.
- Responds to initiatives in each curricular areas and leadership in areas that need development.
- Coordinates student recognition, achievement and student organization activities/events.
- Collaborates and participates in district wide decision making, committees and meetings to provide input, analysis, recommendation and assist in the implementation of district wide initiatives concerning staff development, technology, curriculum, health and safety, and/or other programs and initiatives.
- Oversees the operation of the physical plant and facilities of the Middle School.
- Performs other duties of a comparable level or type, as required.
- Attends and participates in various local, metro or state professional organizations.
- Attends conferences, training sessions, and workshops to keep abreast of instructional trends, issues, technologies or developments in the field.
Additional Duties
Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Superintendent and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.
Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.
Equipment
Uses standard office equipment such as personal computers, printer, copy and fax machines, and telephone.
Travel Requirements
Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.
Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards
Works in standard office and school building environments.
Note: Also see the Summary of Physical, Sensory and Environmental Requirements Needed to Perform Essential Job Duties for this position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Skilled In:
-
- Oral, written, and group presentational communication skills.
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, department heads, community organizations/agencies and district officials.
- Planning, developing and implementing educational programs and initiatives.
- Evaluating, delegating, assessing, supervising, developing and counseling instructional staff.
- Supervising, delegating and directing diverse and multiple programs.
- Resolving and mediating conflicts, communicating complex ideas and concepts to the general public, and skilled in public relation activities.
- Organizing and supervising administrative functions of the district and for handling the fiscal functions and activities of the building.
- Consensus and team building skills.
- Planning, and monitoring building budget and finances.
- Computer skills of databases, reports, spreadsheets, documents, correspondence and E-mail.
- Coordinating and assuring proper student record and building reports, information and technology needs.
Essential knowledge and specialized subject knowledge required to perform the essential functions of the job:
- Curriculum and curriculum trends as well as State and local requirements.
- Learning processes, models, theories, and educational technologies, trends and developments.
- Supervisory and management principles, practices and fundamentals.
Budget and financial operations. - District administrative policies and procedures.
- Understanding of school laws, rules and regulations, including special education and due process.
- Fundamentals of media and community relations.
- Basic and advanced human relations methods and techniques.
- Proper evaluation, coaching and training of certified and non-certified staff
Qualifications Profile
Certification/Licenses
- Current Minnesota K-12 Principal license
- Valid MN teacher’s license
- Valid driver’s license
Education
- Master’s Degree/Specialist Degree in Educational Administration or Educational Leadership
Experience
- Three years educational supervisory and administrative experience; Successful administrative experience at the middle school level preferred.
- At least three years successful teaching experience (at the secondary preferred)
FLSA Status: Exempt