Principal, Elementary School Candidate Pool

Howard County Public School System • Lawrence, MA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Division of Schools, the elementary school principal is responsible for administering and supervising the total school program and providing educational leadership for the students, staff members, and the community consistent with the educational goals of the school system. Functions of this position include establishing a climate conducive to learning, defining roles, planning, and coordinating programs, affecting change, and decision-making. While the principal is responsible for the total school program, many of the duties listed below may be delegated for implementation. This position is posted to identify candidates for inclusion in the candidate pool for vacancies that may occur for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years. Application evaluations and interviews for qualified candidates are expected to occur during the time periods below: October – for applications submitted through October 2, 2026; March – for applications submitted through January 15, 2027. Applications submitted after January 15, 2027 may be considered depending on the needs of the school system.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Hold a current Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) professional certificate or license in an MSDE licensure area at the time of application with any of the additional endorsements below: Administrator II, Supervisors of Instruction, Assistant Principals, and Principals.
• Applicants who do not already possess the required licensure above may be considered if you are eligible through one of the pathways below: Hold a current MSDE professional certificate or license and complete all MSDE requirements for the Supervisors of Instruction, Assistant Principals, and Principals endorsement by the position effective date.
• Hold a current professional certificate or license in administration from another state or country and possess five years of effective performance as an administrator in a PreK-12 school setting.
• Hold a current out-of-state educator certificate or license and have completed both of the following: An out-of-state program leading to administrator licensure, Earned a passing score on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (Praxis 6990).
• Five (5) years of experience as a certificated or licensed educator, at least two (2) years of which must be experience at the elementary school level.
• Three (3) years of school-based or central office administrator experience, at least two (2) years of which must be as a school-based administrator.
• Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.
• All current and prior employment experience in education is listed in the Experience section of the application.
• A current resume uploaded.
• Responses to the below supplemental application questions.
• All current educator certificates or licenses uploaded.

Nice To Haves

• Experience as a school-based administrator at multiple schools.
• Experience as a school-based or central office administrator serving students with diverse needs.
• Collaboratively establishes strategic, equity-centered goals and priorities for school improvement that are informed by data and aligned with student needs.
• Aligns and allocates resources and services to foster equitable student learning environments and promote academic success and student well-being.
• Leads educators in the use of evidence-based pedagogical practices to improve instruction and meet the needs of all students.

Responsibilities

• Provides effective leadership in the total operation of the school and implementation of the Howard County Public School System’s mission at the school level.
• Articulates the goals of the HCPSS Board of Education and demonstrates an understanding of the Howard County Public School System’s Educational Equity policy.
• Accepts responsibility for achievement of all students.
• Identifies and removes institutional barriers that could prevent students from equitably accessing educational opportunities.
• Advocates a child-centered approach to school and student management and extends that expectation to administrators and staff.
• Initiates and maintains an effective, well-balanced instructional program.
• Establishes a physical environment and a school culture that is conducive to learning for all students. Plans for and maintains a school in which student expectations are high, behavior is positive, well-controlled and constructive, and appropriate disciplinary measures are applied.
• Promotes student voice and provides resources to support youth in becoming active and engaged participants in their academic experience.
• Utilizes restorative justice practices where appropriate and supports school staff in building a positive culture where students and staff feel valued, welcomed, and supported to fulfil their academic and professional potential.
• Develops and conducts ongoing programs and activities of information, communication, and public relations which focus on improvement of student achievement.
• Utilizes a variety of data to develop a school improvement plan and strategies that will enhance the academic success of all students.
• Utilizes data to request and advocate for community and Central Office supports, based on the unique needs of the school population.
• Facilitates equity-focused data analysis to identify current gaps in educational outcomes, programming, supports, and interventions to develop and implement school improvement plans.
• Ensures that staff analyze student achievement data and uses that data to improve instruction in the classroom.
• Determines, through appropriate involvement, the needs of the students and the desires of the community and of the staff.
• Implements practices, based on data, to address student achievement related to state assessments.
• Requires and obtains a high level of performance from all personnel assigned to the school.
• Demonstrates active leadership and good judgment in working with all staff members concerning the problems and opportunities of the school.
• Collaborates with instructional personnel to provide leadership and facilitates staff development and evaluation of the instructional program.
• Develops further professional abilities and those of the school's staff.
• Assumes the primary responsibility for hiring, assigning, supervising, assisting, and evaluating personnel, including administrative personnel who are direct reports.
• Accepts responsibility for the professional development of aspiring assistant principals under his/her charge.
• Assures that positive attitudes toward students and others are cultivated and that effective skills in human relations are developed and practiced.
• Supports the concept of shared leadership with the staff and school community.
• Intentionally seeks authentic feedback from various segments of the school community regarding the operation, performance, and image of the school.
• Leverages strengths to build high performing teams and provides leadership to and opportunities for effective community participation in the school.
• Carries out the policies of the state and the county Boards of Education and the laws of Maryland.
• Effectively manages all school budgets and allocates appropriate resources.

Benefits

• Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).
• HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees.
• Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal