School Principal

Rapides Parish School District•Alexandria, LA

About The Position

To provide leadership in developing, achieving and maintaining good educational programs and services in the assigned school

Requirements

A valid Type A, Type B, or Level 3 Louisiana Teaching Certificate with a Master’s degree or higher or completion of a Practitioner/Residency Leader Program.
Applicant must qualify for endorsement as Principal, Provisional Principal, Elementary Principal, or Educational Leader.
Must have five (5) years of successful teaching and/or administrative experience during the five (5) year period preceding appointment; such alternatives to the preceding qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate and acceptable.

Responsibilities

Be responsible to and work under the direction of the appropriate director and Assistant Superintendent of Instruction in the areas of instruction, curriculum, supervision, evaluation, experimentation and research
Supervise in the classroom and submit written observation and evaluation reports according to the Rapides Parish Accountability Program
Continually study and analyze curriculum needs
Develop a comprehensive school program
Work with the school board staff in developing a continuing program for self-development on a local and parish level
Establish and promote good school-community relations
Interpret and promote Board policies in the school and school community
Set up standards of the economic use of utilities, supplies and equipment
Encourage dress and personal appearance of the staff compatible with the dignity of their positions
Increase designated test scores as identified by the Superintendent
Establish and execute a professional growth and self-evaluation plan
Carry out the Performance Expectations and Indicators for Educational Leaders as outlined in Bulletin 130
Assist the Director of Human Resources in employing teachers
Assign duties and observe and evaluate all teachers according to the Rapides Parish Personnel Evaluation Plan.
Make recommendations concerning continued employment of teachers after discussing this with the appropriate director and the Assistant Superintendent of Instruction.
Be responsible for securing resignations of teachers not recommended for continued employment; if no resignation can be secured, then to be responsible for making recommendations for dismissal to the Superintendent or his/her designee giving reasons and submitting evidence substantiating these reasons
Assist each instructional staff member in developing a Professional Growth Plan
Secure a substitute when necessary from the list of qualified substitutes furnished to the principal by the School Board office
Report the services of substitute on forms furnished by the School Board office
Employ and discharge school secretaries with the approval of the Superintendent
Train secretaries in public relations, bookkeeping, record keeping, registers and other duties wherever possible
Provide leadership and assistance in promoting and developing a food service program that provides the maximum educational experience for children
See that nutritionally adequate meals are served in a pleasant, inviting and sanitary environment
Work with the entire school staff in providing opportunities for making meals and educational experience
Arrange a type of schedule that will provide sufficient time for each pupil to enjoy meals without loss of time
Help secure properly trained and qualified food service personnel
See that adequate facilities and equipment are provided
Make sure that all local, state and federal policies are understood and maintained
Report immediately to the School Board office all accidents that occur in the school lunchroom whether or not medical attention is obtained
Forward resignations of employees to the Food Service office
Review and submit required records
Submit an evaluative report annually on each school Food Service employee
Employ the custodial staff and to discharge them with the approval of the Superintendent and the Board
Limit the work of the custodial staff to the school business during hours of employment by the Board
Require the custodial staff to wear appropriate attire including safety attire
Prepare and enforce a schedule of work
Submit an annual evaluative report on each employee
Supervise the school transportation program
Provide supervision of children who ride buses during the loading and unloading
Have jurisdiction over children going to and from school
Give immediate attention to all reports of disorder on school buses made to him by drivers; the principal may temporarily deprive any pupil of the privilege of for repeated disorder on the bus; final action in such cases rests with the Superintendent
Supervise drills on emergency evacuation from school buses
Assume responsibility for all school bus reports
Record and report personnel absences and punctuality
Keep time logs for custodial and lunchroom employees
Maintain constant vigilance for protection and care of school property by enlisting the aid of all school personnel
Duty schedules shall be made, and followed for teachers and other personnel while children are in attendance
Immediate repairs and continuous maintenance are required where the health and safety of students are concerned
The principal shall be held responsible for the cleanliness and sanitary condition of the premises under his charge
Maintain school grounds in such a manner as to be a good example for the immediate neighborhood
Give professional guidance to all student activities; the principal, or his/her designated representative, shall be present at all activities at the school
Assign extra duties equitably among the various members of the school staff
Supervise the use of the buildings for extra-curricular activities
Aid in enforcing compulsory school attendance
Strengthen the holding power of the school
Submit all reports requested by the Director of Child Welfare and Attendance
Make direct investigation of chronic or extended absenteeism
Hold every pupil to a strict accountability for any disorderly conduct on the playgrounds of the school or in school, or enroute to and from school
Suspend or expel from school, for good cause, any pupil
The parish Superintendent has the final authority to pass on the merits of the suspension of a pupil
Notice of this action in the form of a letter shall be sent to the parents, the Superintendent and the Director of Child Welfare and Attendance
Follow the corporal punishment policy
Contact the parents of a sick or injured pupil immediately by telephone or otherwise, placing responsibility for treatment on the parents
Place the child under the treatment of a physician, preferably the family physician, when impossible to contact the parents
Furnish the physician with needed information and to inform him/her of the responsibility of the parents for payment for services rendered
Notify the Superintendent of all serious accidents of pupils on the school grounds or on school buses
Assume responsibility and control of inter-school athletic programs including personnel, finances, athletic associations, clubs and all other phases
Provide adequate equipment
Submit requisitions for the purchase of materials including the current price of items, plus sales taxes (school board office will send purchase order to vendor)
Check and approve invoices received from the school board office for approval, noting any shortage, breakage, or errors and return them to the office
File duplicate requisitions, purchase orders, and invoices (if no duplicate invoice, make one) and keep on file for five years
Submit a request for services, listing all services needed.
File duplicate work orders and any accompanying invoices and keep on file for five years
Call the building supervisor in case of emergency
Keep an accurate record, using school office personnel, of all school funds which will be audited at least once per year, following bookkeeping policies and procedures
Deposit all school funds in a bank in the name of the school; to keep school lunch funds in a separate account
Submit a financial statement as of December 31st and June 30th to the school board office
Limit drives for funds conducted in schools to those approved by the Board
Be responsible for all reports contained in opening and closing circulars and any other required by the Rapides Parish School Board
Check reports for accuracy before affixing signature
Aid in keeping teachers’ certificates current
Require reimbursement for damaged or lost textbooks, reference books and/or Library books
Maintain accurate inventories on file including textbooks, library books, desks and chairs and all other equipment and media
Plan for the efficient and economical use of materials and equipment
Provide for the proper maintenance of equipment and materials
Remove worn out and unusable materials and equipment from the inventory
Provide for the display of the flags of the United States and Louisiana on the school campus during school hours
Schedule senior graduation exercises within the last ten calendar days of the school session
Adhere, insofar as possible, to suggested in-service training meeting days
Arrange for the presence of law enforcement officer(s) at all public gatherings in his/her school
The principal shall report to the school ten minutes prior to any mandated teacher-reporting time and remain at school at least thirty minutes after the school day ends. In the event the principal must leave earlier, an assistant principal or other delegated person shall act in his stead. If no early duty is required, the principal shall report forty-five minutes prior to the opening bell and remain at school at least thirty minutes after the school day ends. In the event the principal must leave earlier, an assistant principal or other delegated person shall act in his stead. The above paragraphs do not include special events such as early departure on field trips
Follow state, School Board and school policies
Show evidence that teachers have been instructed in addressing the At-Risk, Drug Free and Safety Program in the parish
Provide follow-up to assure that the At-Risk, Drug Free and Safety Programs are addressed by appropriate personnel
Clarify relationships and responsibilities of school personnel
Provide in-service on instructional delivery to assure that the LCET are followed daily
Provide assistance to personnel with abnormal class grade distributions
Provide training in the administration of commercial and locally developed evaluative devices and the interpretation of results
Schedule staff meetings for the purpose of formulating and evaluating curriculum objectives
Use results of the testing program to help determine whether or not the objectives of the school are being achieved
Use the results of the testing program as an aid in revising the curriculum
Coordinate the services of itinerant personnel working in the school
Foster open communication and positive relationships as evidenced by supportive attitudes and active involvement of faculty, staff and students
Keep staff informed of all directives concerning them
Appearance; dress, poise, self-control
Perform any additional duties assigned by the Superintendent and/or evaluator
Follow State, School Board and School policies
Fulfill duties traditionally expected of school-based administrators
Collaborate with those providing direct student instruction as well as professionals providing ancillary services
Review, draft, study, recommend, and implement policies, curricula, and plan improve the quality of instruction
Conduct school/class walk-throughs
Prepare and/or oversee preparation of class scheduling
Participate in the staffing of school via the recruitment, interview, and selection and/or assignment of personnel, subject to superintendent approval
Supervision of Assistant Principals, teachers, and all others reporting to employee or for whose supervision employee is responsible, as applicable
Complete and/or assist in the preparation/implementation of employee observations, evaluations, IAPs, and other associated tasks and monitoring
Maintain the campus in a clean condition through the oversight of janitorial/maintenance staff
Maintain student discipline
Attend meetings generally associated with the instruction of students
Attend faculty, staff, department and central office/principal meetings
Establish school policies governing students and employees
Attend training sessions
Attend job fairs and related events
Attend IEP meetings
Attend Central Office and Department meetings
Attend back-to-school and open-house events
Attend graduation
Interview, employ, and complete necessary hires
Attend PIP, Evaluation, Observation, IAP, and student discipline meetings/hearings
Attend school board/committee meetings, upon request
Participate in the preparation of necessary disciplinary documents and corresponding disciplinary process for both students and employees
Fulfill all duties required of the school as a member of the LHSAA or other athletic or professional associations
Maintain positive parent and community contact and problem solving
Represent the school at all functions and/or meetings at which a school representative is required
Any extra-curricular activities as determined by the supervisor
Meeting with teachers or staff members to discuss school operations, student progress, or upcoming events
Attending parent-teacher meetings or school events that are held in the evening
Reviewing and finalizing school budgets, reports, or administrative tasks
Participating in professional development workshops or training sessions
Handling discipline issues or addressing any urgent matters that arise during the day
Collaborating with community organizations or partners to support school programs
Planning and strategizing for future school improvement initiatives
Attending school board meetings or other administrative responsibilities
Supporting extracurricular activities or athletic events that take place after school hours
Providing additional supervision or support for students who may need extra help or assistance