POSITION TITLE: HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
REPORTS TO: Building Principal
POSITION PURPOSE:
To use leadership- management- supervisory and monitoring skills to promote the educational development of each student.
QUALIFICATIONS:
The incumbent must be state certified and possess the necessary planning- organizational- supervisory- and evaluation skills which the position entails. The incumbent should also demonstrate skills in curriculum and instructional leadership- personnel guidance- scheduling processes- policy- law- budget-school/community relations and professional renewal.
PHYSICAL/EMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
(The incumbent may be required to use the following skills and abilities during any part of the working day.) Speaking- hearing- visual- walking/mobility- standing- consistency of temperament- ability to work with a variety of problems at the same time- stamina for working long hours.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Curriculum Development- Supervision and Evaluation
- Assist the principal in leading the development- determination of appropriateness- and monitoring of the instructional program.
- Assist the principal in approving the master teaching schedule and any special personnel assignments.
- Assist with the school accreditation process.
- Understand school curriculum- ensure teaching of the written curriculum- help staff use curriculum resources.
- Participate in and/or lead curriculum development activities commensurate with school and district goals.
- Provide opportunities and encouragement for staff to increase professional expertise.
- Assist in identifying curricular and extracurricular needs by analyzing current programs and student achievement.
- Regularly use the results of student assessment data to identify problems and implement program improvements and/or pacing.
Student Assessment and Monitoring
- Emphasize student achievement as the primary outcome of schooling.
- Systematically assess and monitor student progress using objective and verifiable information whenever possible.
- Work with staff to systematically identify and respond to at risk students; make referrals to appropriate community agencies when needed.
- Assure the proper educational placement of students.
Student and Staff Relations
- Model and facilitate good human relations skills; effectively interact with others.
- Solicit information from school personnel and community in gauging the school climate.
- Recognize efforts of students and teachers.
- Promote the improvement of student and staff self-images.
- Communicate high expectations for both staff and students and provide appropriate motivation to reach expectations.
- Foster collegial relationships with and among teachers and staff.
- Assist in the development and organization of commencement activities.
Establishing an Effective Workplace
- Assist the principal in maintaining positive staff morale.
- Serve as an active member of the school leadership team.
- Assist in maintaining an effective learning climate in the school and ensure that the staff follows effective school procedures and practices.
- Assist in planning and organizing the implementation of school activities.
- Maintain appropriate and consistent standards of student conduct and enforce discipline- as necessary- according to due process for the rights of students.
- Resume responsibility for the school in the absence of the building principal.
- Protect instructional time by minimizing interruptions to the instructional process.
- Coordinate teacher and student schedules to promote maximum learning and minimize conflict.
- Maintain high visibility in the school.
- Provide for adequate supervision and acceptable student behavior at all school functions planned and operated by school personnel.
- Assist in providing orientation for newly assigned staff members and assist in their professional development.
Staff Supervision and Personnel Evaluation
- Supervise (directly or through others) those professional- paraprofessional- administrative- and nonprofessional personnel assigned by the principal.
- Assist in the recruiting- screening- making recommendations for new hires- training- and evaluation of the school’s professionals- teaching assistants- and secretarial staff.
- Assure the orientation of newly assigned staff members and assist in their development- as appropriate.
- Recommend with principal agreement- according to established procedures- the removal of a staff member whose work is unsatisfactory.
Communication and Community Relations
- Keep the principal- lead principal- and Assistant Superintendent informed of the school’s activities and problems.
- Maintain ongoing communication with staff- students and parents.
- Attend events held to recognize student achievement and school-sponsored activities and functions.
- Conduct meetings of the staff as necessary for the proper functioning of the school.
- Assure arrangements are made for special conferences between parents- teachers- community members- agencies and the other stakeholders.
- Establish and maintain favorable relationships with local community groups and individuals to foster understanding and solicit support for overall school objectives and programs- to interpret board policies and administrative directives- and to discuss and resolve individual student problems.
- Speak and write effectively.
- Communicate and work with central office and other principals to share ideas- problems- expertise- and personnel.
- Encourage parent visits and involvement in decision making.
- Effectively utilize community resources and volunteers to promote student learning.
Decision Making and Problem Solving
- Utilize the TPS Strategic Plan and TPS Learning Principles to guide decisions.
- Consider research when making decisions.
- Consider alternatives and consequences in the decision making process.
- Make decisions in a timely fashion and maximize decisions effectiveness by follow-up actions.
- Clearly communicate decisions and rationale to all stakeholders.
- Interpret and ensure compliance with district policies and state and federal regulations.
- Assert leadership in times of civil disobedience in school in accordance with established Board policy.
- Participate in P-12 administration meetings- committees- and such other meetings as required or appropriate.
- Identify problem areas and seek solutions before crisis situations develop.
- Effectively delegate decision making and problem solving to appropriate personnel.
Professional Development
- Keep abreast of changes and developments in the profession by attending professional meetings- reading professional journals and other publications- and discussing problems of mutual interest with others in the field.
- Effectively utilize the expertise of school personnel- including self- in professional development.
- Provide opportunities for teachers to share and demonstrate successful practices.
- View self as a role model for expected staff behavior.
- Help teachers implement objectives for themselves and students.
- Assume responsibility for his/her own professional growth and development through membership and participation in the affairs of professional organizations- and through attendance at regional- state- and national meetings.
- Assist in identifying- cultivating- and promoting teacher leaders.
Building Management- Recordkeeping- and Financial Management
- Assist in managing the school budgets.
- Assist in preparing- or supervising the preparation of the maintenance and distribution of reports- records- lists- and other paperwork required or appropriate to the school’s administration- i.e as transportation- special services- and the like.
- Assist in monitoring the various local funds generated by student activities.
- Assume responsibility for the safety and administration of the school facilities- including security personnel.
- Provide for adequate inventories of property under his/her jurisdiction and for the security and accountability for that property.
- Assist in ensuring the building(s) and grounds are safe and that drills- evacuations- and similar safety-related activities conform to state directives.
- Assist in the allocation of instructional resources for optimum teaching and learning (supplies- equipment- space- etc.).
- Effectively cope with crises and emergencies.
- Maintain accurate personnel- student- and fiscal records.
- Anticipate future building and equipment needs; plan appropriately to remedy.
- Act as a hearing officer for discipline.
Perform other tasks and assume other responsibilities as the principal may assign.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
12 months; salary and work year to be determined by the Board of Education.
EVALUATION:
Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of administrators.
https://topeka.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=5011
Employer Information
To apply for a position at Topeka Public Schools, please visit www.topekapublicschools.net, select Employment, and then Job Opportunities. Topeka Public Schools` students perform at the highest levels. Students, staff members, and district leaders are recognized regularly for outstanding accomplishments. We offer a variety of comprehensive programs designed to fit to the needs and interests of all students. Excellence and equity are the standard. We educate all children. TPS schools have received national recognition for excellence in education, with several attaining the Kansas Standards of Excellence in reading and mathematics and many achieving remarkable double-digit gains. As the sixth largest school district in Kansas with an enrollment of about 12,000 students in elementary through high school, Topeka Public Schools is also the largest school district in Shawnee County. Elementary schools range in size from 200 to 600 students. We have two elementary magnet schools. One is a science and fine arts magnet school and the other is a computer magnet school. Middle school enrollments range between 400 to 600 students and our three high schools have enrollments of 800 to 1,800 students. Hope Street Academy, a charter high school, draws alternative students from across the district. A proud feature of our district is Hummer Sports Park, a six-sport complex featuring state-of-the-art facilities for football, track, soccer, baseball, softball, and swimming. We are committed to hiring and retaining superior employees to educate and meet the needs of each student. As the third largest employer in Topeka with over 2,400 certified and classified staff members, we provide a competitive salary schedule, district-paid insurance benefits, a generous leave package, and many other great benefits. If you are interested in joining our progressive school district, please check the job listings below and visit our website at www.topekapublicschools.net to learn more about Topeka Public Schools and complete your application.
