Principals - Elementary & Middle Schools

PLEASE POST PLEASE POST

07-08-P-2362 May 9, 2008



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 SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Springfield, Massachusetts

 ANNOUNCEMENT OF POSITION

 

 

TITLE: Principals (Elementary & Middle Schools)

 

  APPLICATION:  Please submit a letter stating your interest in the position and how your background and experience fits the position.  In addition, include a resume not to exceed three pages and include the posting number in the top left hand corner.  Please submit your letter and resume to Mr. James Allfrey, Executive Director of Human Resources, 195 State Street, P.O. Box 1410, Springfield, MA  01102-1410 by May 24, 2008 (Applications will be accepted until positions are filled.)

 

SALARY:  To be negotiated with the Superintendent of Schools.

 

WORK SCHEDULE:  12 months, twenty-two (22) days of vacation.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

OF EMPLOYMENT:  As soon as possible.

 

GENERAL STATEMENT

OF DUTIES:  The Principal is the chief administrative officer of the school and is directly responsible to the Superintendent of Schools.  The Principal is in charge of all personnel, teachers, civil service personnel and students in his/her building and as such is responsible for management of the school and the improvement of the instruction offered.  In this position he/she is responsible for many services in the school and community.

 

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

1.  Establish and maintain a learning environment in the school

 

A. Participates and maintains an effective learning environment among the entire school community (faculty, staff, support personnel, students, etc).

B. Programs educational activity, within established parameters, designed to meet student needs; influences continuous improvement of existing parameters.

C. Facilitates, with the guidance personnel and programs, continuous improvement of individual student education and development processes.

D. Establishes standards and expectations for proper student conduct; supports the appropriate methods to encourage discipline and commitment to adhere to established guides; maintains high expectations and motivation for all students to engage in continuous learning and development.

E.  Attends special events held to recognize student achievement, attends school sponsored activities, functions and athletic events.

 

2.  Design and manage processes and methods conducive to learning

 

A. Assures the effectiveness of the school teaching process.

B. Manages the planning, organizing, and implementation of all school activities.

C. Initiates, facilitates, designs and implements programs to meet school needs.

D. Utilizes all available resources within the school system and the community to develop new and improve the effectiveness of existing educational programs.

E.  Maintains a clear and open communication process with all the school community.  Keeps the school population informed of policy changes, new programs, opportunities, and the like.  Makes use of any effective mechanism available (meetings, flyers, bulletin boards, technology, etc.)

F.  Assumes leadership in the direction of the school’s educated programs, athletic and extra curricular activities.

 

3.  Community Relations Management:  Establishes and maintains favorable relationships with local community groups and individuals to foster understanding and solicit support for overall school objectives and vocational/academic programs; to interpret School Committee policies as well as Superintendent’s, and general administrative directives; to discuss and resolve individual student problems and opportunities.

 

A. Within the School System:

§ Acts as a liaison between the school and the Superintendent.

§ Participates in required meetings as well as in those that will result in better opportunities for the student body of the school.

§ Works with the various members of central administration to solve school problems of more than school import, such as transportation, special service, and the like.

 

B. Between the school and the community:

§ Acts as a liaison between the school and the local community encouraging the community to participate in the educational process as part of the overall school life.

§ Develops a program of public relations in order to further the communities understanding and support of educational programs.

 

C. Will be responsible to develop, implement and maintain a continuous improvement with concentration in the following areas:

§ Improved grades and test scores.

§ Reduced dropout rate.

§ Increased attendance.

§ Reduce tardiness.

§ Increased ability to measure improvement indicators with greater certainty.

§ Increased student involvement in meaningful extracurricular activity.

§ Other outcomes related to student and school performance.

 

4.  Managing school personnel:

 

A. Provides a formal orientation process for newly assigned staff members (and overall personnel) and facilities their induction and development as appropriate.

B. Cooperates with college and universities officials regarding teacher training and preparation.

C. Provides and supports appropriate developmental opportunities to school personnel in order to keep an updated and competent faculty and staff.

D. Sets clear expectations and provides ongoing feedback, advice, counseling and support to all staff members regarding their individual and group performance.

E.  Keeps abreast of changes and developments in the profession by attending professional meetings, reading professional journals, and other publications and discussing problems of mutual interests with others in the field.

 

5.  Management of the school:

 

A. Coordinates and supervises support services such as maintenance, security, food services, recreational programs, library activities and financial and accounting functions, etc.

B. Prepares and submits the school’s budgetary requests and monitors expenditures of funds.

C. Maintains and controls the various local funds generated by student activities.

D. Keep the Superintendent of Schools informed of school activities and the problems.

E.  Maintains a safe environment in which all members of the High Schools of Science and Technology’s learning community (which include; students, faculty, staff and support personnel) can work in a safe and secure environment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1.  Minimum of Master’s degree from an accredited college or university, Doctorate degree preferred.

 

2.  Licensure or eligible for licensure as a Principal/Assistant Principal (9-12) by the Massachusetts Department of Education.  The applicant hired by the Superintendent MUST possess or have verbal approval from the state of the proper licensure at the point of formal appointment by the Superintendent.

 

3.  Comprehensive background and experience in the focus areas of the school, especially science, mathematics, technology (including computers).

 

4.  Experience with a diverse student body preferably in an urban area.

 

5.  Shall have a broad knowledge of the recent and established legislation related to secondary education.

 

6.  Successful classroom teaching experience at the Secondary school level.  Teaching at a college or university may be substituted for the requirement.

 

7.  Understanding of the place and function of the senior high school in the educational process.

 

8.  A broad knowledge of the organization of school personnel, demonstrates a sound philosophy of education, and shows flexibility in approaches to school organization.

 

9.  Possesses experience or educational background in professional development programs for a learning organization.

 

10.  Strong knowledge of learning theories and has the ability to apply them; successful experience in improving student achievement.

 

 

It is the policy of the Springfield Public Schools not to discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability or sexual orientation  in its educational programs, activities or employment policies as required by Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, Chapter 622 of the Massachusetts General Laws, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

 

APPROVED:

 

James Allfrey

Executive Director of Human Resources