Principal - Zion Benton East High School

Zion-Benton Township High School District 126•Zion, IL

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Zion-Benton Township High School District No. 126 is hiring a full-time, 12-month Principal for Zion-Benton East High School for the 2026–27 school year. The Principal reports to the Chief School Business Official and Superintendent and is responsible for the school’s instructional leadership, day-to-day operations, and implementation of District policies and goals. The Principal leads school improvement and student achievement efforts; oversees curriculum planning, delivery, and continuity; monitors instruction and visits classrooms; and uses research, data, and information systems to evaluate progress and guide corrective action. In collaboration with District personnel, the Principal helps establish and revise courses and curriculum, recommends instructional materials and curriculum-writing opportunities, and supports continuity of instruction with K–8 sender schools. The role also oversees student discipline and attendance, staff recruitment, supervision and evaluation, and instructional and extracurricular programming. The Principal is expected to build a shared vision with staff, set high-performance goals, act with urgency, prioritize school resources, and foster community, business, and post-secondary partnerships. The role also provides leadership in the District’s diversity, equity, and belonging efforts and ensures timely, accurate reporting under the Illinois Accountability System. Applicants must meet State of Illinois and federal employment requirements for a principal position, including a criminal background check. A master’s degree with appropriate coursework in secondary school administration, five years of successful classroom experience, and prior administrative experience are required. A proven record of collaborative and effective leadership is strongly desired. Applicants should submit an online application, letter of interest, current resume, transcripts listing conferred degrees, and professional reference letters completed within the past three years.

Requirements

Meet all State of Illinois and federal employment requirements for a principal position, including a criminal background check.
Master’s degree with appropriate college coursework in secondary school administration.
Five years of successful classroom experience.
Prior administrative experience.

Nice To Haves

Proven record of collaborative and effective leadership.

Responsibilities

Monitor instructional and managerial processes, assess their relationship to program outcomes, and recommend corrective actions based on findings.
Build a shared vision for school improvement and student achievement with staff.
Direct planning and establish programs with staff to advance the District’s mission and goals.
Collaborate with District personnel to establish new courses, monitor and revise curriculum, and coordinate curriculum delivery to meet state requirements and District goals.
Maintain continuity among course offerings.
Collaborate with District personnel on recommendations for new textbook and paperback adoptions and curriculum-writing opportunities.
Lead articulation with K–8 sender schools to support continuity of instruction and improved academic achievement.
Visit classrooms during the school year to evaluate instructional practices.
Identify, analyze, and apply research and data findings to promote school improvement and student achievement.
Build supportive and active community, business, and post-secondary education partnerships.
Serve as a leader in the District’s diversity, equity, and belonging efforts.
Develop, maintain, and use information systems and records to track campus performance objectives, academic excellence indicators, campus improvement plans, and District long-range plans.
Ensure timely and accurate data reporting through working knowledge of the Illinois Accountability System.
Promote the belief that every child deserves and can receive expert instruction and that all team members must advocate for students.
Set high-performance goals, create urgency, take action to achieve early successes, and align school resources and priorities with the school’s vision and goals.
Serve as the school’s instructional leader by overseeing school improvement and deployment of the District’s curriculum.
Manage day-to-day school operations, including student discipline and attendance; staff recruitment, supervision, and evaluation; and implementation of instructional and extracurricular programs in accordance with District policies and procedures.