Position Title

PRINCIPAL

The Principal, under the supervision of the Superintendent of Schools is responsible for establishing a school that is a safe, nurturing, caring environment, capable of addressing individual student needs.

Contractual

Relationship

Reports directly to the Superintendent of Schools and negotiates an individual employment contract with the Superintendent in accordance with applicable School Committee guidelines and Massachusetts statutes.

Organizational

Relationship

The Principal supervises and coordinates the activities of the faculty and staff assigned to the school and is responsible for the implementation of the instructional program in accordance with School Committee policies and Administrative regulations.

Responsibilities

1. Supervises the school’s educational program:

a. Monitors the implementation of a coordinated school curriculum across all grades. Works with the appropriate staff to ensure content, scope and sequence which are appropriate for students' learning at different grade and developmental levels.

b. Establishes an environment that provides access to the general curriculum for all students.

c. Consults with the Administrator for Special Education regarding accommodations and modifications to ensure that all students, including students with disabilities, have access to the district’s general education program.

d. Arranges for home/hospital programs for eligible students in collaboration with the Administrator for Special Education.

e. Establishes expectations and provides appropriate supports that will enable all students to achieve at high levels in the areas of critical thinking, reading, writing, listening, speaking, computation, scientific inquiry, technology, media, artistic expression, health, and physical movement.

f. In consultation with the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Schools, oversees the development, revision, and evaluation of curriculum to ensure high academic standards are met. Makes recommendations for program development and curriculum revision to appropriate staff and carries out the responsibility for implementation as determined in the districts' curriculum improvement plan.

g. Encourages a variety of teaching methods and programs to promote student learning and the inclusion of special needs students into all core curricula and student activities.

h. Works with the appropriate staff to ensure the integration of curriculum concepts and instructional materials into the school program which reflect civic responsibility, community service, historical awareness, and cultural, ethnic, and racial diversity.

i. Works with the appropriate staff to implement and supervise the evaluation of instructional programs and interpret data to improve teaching and learning.

j. Leads efforts in the school to improve the academic performance of students of color

k. Works with administrators and teachers at other levels (e.g. pre-school, high school) to assure smooth transitions for entering and exiting students.

l. Establishes with staff realistic school goals, programs, and priorities consistent with those of the school system.

2. Works to create a school environment in which staff, students, and parents can develop a mutual sense of trust, participation, understanding, and productive interaction:

a. Establishes and maintains effective communication within and among staff and faculty.

b. Communicates the vision, goals, long-range plans, needs, and accomplishments of the school to students, staff, families, and the community-at-large. Facilitates communication between groups effectively involving all parties in the educational process.

c. Delegates authority to encourage staff initiative and participatory decision-making.

d. Facilitates and implements effective educational practices and procedures in compliance with the policies of the Lincoln School Committee.

e. Establishes and enforces high standards of student conduct, and enforces discipline, as necessary, according to due process to the rights of students.

f. Sponsors school events for staff, students, parents, and community to participate in appropriate areas of the educational process.

g. Actively works with the School Council, parents and PTO members to ensure effective communication on matters affecting school policy, program implementation, and student behavior.

3. Provides effective and efficient management of school faculty and administration team:

a. Supervises, and evaluates Associate Principals, and/or Coordinators as assigned.

b. Supervises and evaluates staff,with the assistance of other evaluators (e.g. METCO Director, Coordinators) in accordance with the districts' agreed upon supervision and evaluation plan.

c. Conducts regular meetings of the faculty and administrative team as necessary for the proper functioning of the school.

d. Promotes the school philosophy through regular meetings with other administrators, Team Leaders, Department Heads, and Specialists.

e. Encourages and supports the professional development of all faculty and staff.

f. Assists in the in-service orientation and training of teachers and assures compliance with proper administrative procedures.

g. Supervises and is responsible for the preparation of all school and annual reports for the Central Office.

h. Maintains student record keeping systems in a manner which protects the privacy and confidentiality of records according to local, state, and federal regulations.

i. Prepares a comprehensive school budget with the assistance of team leaders, teachers, and systemwide administrators on an annual basis.

j. Implements and administers the educational program and annual school budget as approved by the School Committee.

k. Supervises the maintenance of accurate teacher records that protect privacy and confidentiality and are in compliance with state and federal regulations.

l. Develops and implements school calendar and student and staff schedules.

m. Oversees the maintenance, cleanliness, and security of the school building and grounds while providing supervision of custodial personnel as needed.

n. Works collaboratively with teachers, administrators and others to seek grants to augment school revenues for the purposes of curriculum and staff development and/or school improvement.

4. Performs related duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools.

5. Observes local school regulations and school laws as they apply to the Principal's responsibilities.

Qualifications

• 
  Massachusetts Principal’s license applicable to the level

• Master's Degree. Evidence of study beyond Master's Degree preferred

• Experience as a teacher and as an educational leader at the applicable level

• Effective interpersonal and leadership skills; experience facilitating communication between divergent groups and in consensus decision-making

• Demonstrated success in the development, evaluation, and implementation of curriculum, instruction and assessment at the applicable level

• Effective administrative and management skills

• Excellent speaking and writing skills, including the effective utilization of computers, technology, and information

management tools