Elementary School Principal’s Job Description
JOB TITLE:
REPORTS TO:
SUPERVISES:
Elementary Principal
Superintendent of Schools or designee
Students and all teachers, clerical staff of the school
NATURE AND SCOPE OF JOB:
The Elementary School Principal serves as the educational leader, responsible for implementing
policies, regulations, and procedures to ensure that all students are supervised in a safe, supportive
learning environment that meets the approved curricula and mission of the school and district.
Achieving academic excellence requires that the Elementary School Principal work collaboratively to
direct and nurture all members of the school staff hired by the Board of Education and to communicate
effectively with parents, colleagues and the community at large. Inherent in the position are the
responsibilities for scheduling, curriculum development, extracurricular activities, personnel & financial
management, emergency procedures, and facility operations.
QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS:
1. Possess appropriate New York State Education Department certification as a School
Building Leader or other commensurate and appropriate certification.
2. Command and comfort in assuming the role of Instructional Leader within the building.
3. Extensive knowledge of New York State, Common Core Learning Standards, Early Literacy
Skills and Intervention Services for elementary aged students
4. Ability to effectively communicate using multiple modalities including oral, print, social
media and other electronic mediums to all constituent groups.
5. Understand the academic, social/emotional, developmental and cultural needs of
elementary age learners in an elementary (primary and intermediate school) setting.
6. Successfully develop the building budget and spending plan to support instructional and
programmatic needs.
7. Display exceptional advocacy skills that promote learning, achievement and instructional
exploration, creativity, curiosity and rigor.
JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Elementary School Principal shall:
1. Establish and promote high standards and expectations for all students and staff for
academic performance and responsibility for one’s own behavior.
2. Manage, evaluate and supervise effective and clear procedures for the operation and
functioning of the school consistent with the philosophy, mission, values and goals of the
district including instructional programs, extracurricular activities, and discipline systems
to ensure a safe and orderly climate, building maintenance, program evaluation, personnel
management, office operations, and emergency procedures. Acts to ensure compliance with
all laws, board policies and civil regulations.
3. Promote Early Literacy Skill acquisition in students and develop appropriate remediation
and accelerated learning opportunities for students through differentiated curriculum,
planning and the professional development of staff and parents/guardians.
4. Establish the annual master schedule and building calendar for instructional programs,
ensuring sequential learning experiences for students consistent with the district’s
philosophy, mission statement and instructional goals.
5. Supervise the instructional programs of the school, evaluating lesson plans and conducting
required APPR observations, encouraging the use of a variety of instructional strategies and
materials consistent with research on learning and child growth and development.
6. Develop, oversee and implement the building based budget, spending plan and Board of
Education policies to support the instructional goals of the building and district.
7. Establish procedures for evaluation and selection of instructional materials and equipment.
Assume responsibility for the authorization of all recommendations, including but not
limited to professional development, purchasing and acquisition of instructional materials,
and program evaluations.
8. Supervise in a fair and consistent manner effective discipline and attendance systems with
high standards, consistent with the philosophy, values, and mission of the school. Ensure a
safe, orderly environment that encourages students to take responsibility for behavior and
creates high morale among staff and students. Ensure the filing of all required reports
regarding student conduct.
9. Establish a professional rapport with students, with staff and with the community. Display
the highest ethical, professional behavior and standards and cultural sensitivity when
working with students, parents and school personnel. Serve as a role model for students,
promoting mutual respect, dressing professionally, demonstrating the importance and
relevance of learning, accepting responsibility, and demonstrating pride in the education
profession. Encourage all teachers to do the same.
10. Notify immediately the Superintendent, and appropriate personnel and agencies when there
is evidence of substance abuse, child abuse, child neglect, severe medical or social
conditions, potential suicide or students appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or
controlled substances.
11. Keep the Superintendent advised of employees not meeting their contractual obligations
and document interventions undertaken to remediate these identified deficiencies.
12. Research, collect and interpret data regarding the academic, social, emotional and
developmental needs of students.
Keep the parents/guardians informed of this
information.
13. Keep the staff informed and seek ideas for the improvement of the school. Conduct
meetings, as necessary, for the proper functioning of the school: attend department and
grade level meetings, monthly staff meetings and other relevant educational or community
oriented meetings.
14. Establish and maintain an effective inventory system for all school supplies, materials and
equipment.
15. Establish procedures that create and maintain attractive, organized, functional, healthy,
clean, and safe facilities.
16. Assume responsibility for the health, safety, and welfare of students, employees and
visitors.
17. Develop clearly understood procedures and provide regular emergency drills as called for
by the building Safety Plan.
18. Maintain a master schedule of programs, duties and activities. Post and communicate this
master schedule utilizing electronic, print media and other forms of communication for all
school personnel, students and parents.
19. Establish schedules and procedures for the supervision of students in non-classroom areas
(including before and after school).
20. Maintain visibility with students, teachers, parents and the School Board.
21. Use excellent written and oral English skills when communicating with students, parents,
staff, and community, including appropriate vocabulary and examples, clear and legible
visuals, and articulate and audible speech.
22. Complete in a timely fashion all records and reports as requested by the Superintendent.
23. Maintain and account for all student activity funds and money collected from students.
24. Communicate with the Superintendent via Building Curriculum Reporting protocols
regularly about the needs, successes and general operation of the school.
25. Establish procedures for safe storing and integrity of all public and confidential school
records. Ensure that student records are complete, current and accurate.
26. Protect confidentiality of records and information gained as part of exercising professional
duties and use discretion in sharing such information within legal confines.
27. Organize and supervise procedures for identifying and addressing special needs of students
including health-related concerns, and physical, emotional and familial needs. Consult
with other relevant administrative staff on these matters.
28. Maintain positive, cooperative and mutually supportive relationships with staff, parents and
the community.
29. Attend required Board of Education, committee meetings and extracurricular and athletic
school sponsored functions.
30. Assist in the development of Strategic Plan, Professional Development and Instructional
Plans relative to the building and keep the Superintendent apprised.
31. Maintain in the school a spirit conducive to study, cultural sensitivity and 21st century
skills.
32. Implement other duties and responsibilities as determined by the Superintendent or Board
of Education.