Principal Requirements

Last updated January 20th, 2012

Background

The Earl of March Secondary School has a mission to “provide a caring, challenging, and safe environment, which will encourage and motivate students to pursue excellence in all their endeavours” and the vision “to strive for excellence in academics, athletics, the arts and technology”. Especially in the last few years, our school has become a centre of excellence in many areas of the arts, sciences, athletics, computer technology and the humanities. Our school needs a principal who passionately believes in our ideals and can inspire staff, students, parents and the school community to work together to achieve them.

In accordance with Ontario Regulation 612/00 which defines the role of school councils and Ontario Regulation 613/00 which defines the duties of principals, we, the members of the Earl of March School Council, herewith submit our profile for the principal we need for our school. We have listed the skills and experience we feel are essential to continue the pursuit of excellence by our sons and daughters as they take full advantage of the many opportunities our school now offers, and to rise to the challenges the future holds for us.

Here, in order of priority, are our criteria for the position of principal for Earl of March Secondary School.

Requirements for Candidates being considered for Principal

Leadership

1. Has a vision of excellence and instills it in staff and students
2. Shows a strong commitment to a high-achieving composite high school by ensuring that strong programs are offered in all academic areas, whether it be the arts, languages, social studies, the sciences, technology, physical education, business studies, geography or mathematics
3. Handles staff and managerial responsibilities effectively through timely completion of organizational reporting and staffing and regular appraisals of staff
4. Manages and provides ongoing supervision of staff, building on strengths and working to correct weaknesses
5. Instills a positive learning environment and pride in the school, community, and country
6. Maintains a positive attitude, energy, resilience and stamina
7. Promotes team work and is a team leader
8. Maintains good working relationships with the staff
9. Creates, implements, and measures long-range plans for items such as career planning, facility maintenance and improvements, academic programs, etc.
10. Actively encourages partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, etc.
11. Takes an active role in school activities and events
12. Motivates staff to organize extra-curricular programs such as sports, music, drama, and art

Communication

1. Develops good communication and strategic relationships with the stakeholders in the school as well as external parties (i.e., Board, parents, students, teachers, business)
2. Shows a visible presence in the halls, at functions in the auditorium and in the cafeteria during lunchtime, in all cases frequently talking to and enjoying interaction with the students
3. Is skilled in resolving parent, student and teacher conflict
4. Involves all people concerned about or affected by a given issue in the decision-making process
5. Actively carries out his/her responsibilities with respect to the School Council by supporting their activities, keeping them well informed of school operations, and seeking their input as mandated by provincial regulations and board policies
6. Seeks ongoing feedback and information about underlying needs of the students and staff
7. Celebrates successes

Decision-Making

1. Demonstrates clear, honest, consistent, fair and timely decision-making
2. Consistently follows up issues, consulting appropriate stakeholders as needed, and maintains clear communication
3. Is able to build on strengths of academic and extra-curricular programs in place, and provide missing components where needed
4. Shows good judgment when making trade-offs

Concern for Order and Safety

1. Fosters a physically and emotionally safe environment which creates mutual respect between students and staff
2. Ensures all workplace safety procedures and policies (e.g., safe use of chemicals) are followed
3. Supports the staff and teachers in following the school’s Code of Behavior
4. Maintains clear detailed records of his/her own and/or others’ work

Innovation

1. Demonstrates a high level of competency in and enthusiasm for technology, especially given the Earl of March’s location in a high-technology centre
2. Shows a commitment to follow through on significant program changes or pilot programs (computer links, advanced placement programs, business partnerships, etc.)
3. Is able to generate creative solutions to problems

Commitment to Learning

1. Reviews, on an ongoing basis, the progress of all courses offered in the school to ensure that the curriculum is being covered and understood
2. Encourages mentoring of new staff
3. Demonstrates a personal learning plan developed within the previous few years to enhance his/her own knowledge
4. Shows evidence that s/he has played an important role in professional development activities and school departmental meetings
5. Takes ownership of his/her own career and encourages the teachers to do the same
6. Develops the integration of technology into the learning environment

Desire for Excellence

1. Sets challenging goals and commits appropriate resources
2. Ensures the curriculum is current, innovative, challenging, and exceeds required learning expectations
3. Encourages and supports teachers in striving for excellence
4. Attracts and hires staff of a high caliber
5. Is not afraid of change and doesn’t mind occasional failures in the effort to meet high goals and challenges
6. Manages or influences others to reach a goal or have a specific impact.

Recommendations for Selection Process and Tenure

The Earl of March School Council should be involved in the selection process by assessing references from previous school chairs, student councils, and teaching staff, and offering a recommendation based on the candidate’s past performance and fit with the Earl of March principal profile. The School Council should be made aware of the overall assessment of performance (appendix A, page 1, of the performance appraisal record. In addition, the selection process should determine how the candidate has handled and recovered from difficult situations.). Under normal circumstances the tenure should be at least five years.