High School Principal

WILLCOX UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Location: Willcox, Arizona
Reports To: Superintendent of Schools

Position Purpose

Under the general supervision of the Superintendent of Schools, the High School Principal provides visionary leadership and effective administration of the educational program at the high school. The Principal is responsible for fostering a safe, supportive, and academically focused learning environment that promotes the educational development, achievement, and well-being of all students.

The High School Principal ensures that school operations and programs are conducted in accordance with Willcox Unified School District Board of Education policies, administrative procedures, rules and regulations, and applicable federal and state laws.

The Principal provides leadership in instructional program development and improvement, staff supervision and evaluation, professional development, student services, community and parent engagement, school operations, and fiscal management.

Essential Functions

• Develops, implements, and administers school programs consistent with Willcox Unified School District goals, objectives, policies, and strategic priorities.
• Provides leadership and direction to school staff regarding the ongoing evaluation, improvement, and implementation of educational programs, including curricular and extracurricular activities.
• Promotes and maintains a school environment that is safe, welcoming, orderly, and conducive to individualized instruction, collaborative curriculum development, and student learning.
• Ensures that Board of Education policies, administrative procedures, and applicable laws and regulations are consistently implemented and followed.
• Provides instructional leadership and supports evidence-based teaching practices that promote high levels of student achievement.
• Coordinates with school staff and district program leaders to develop, implement, monitor, and improve instructional programs and teaching practices.
• Conducts ongoing assessment and analysis of student learning and achievement data and works collaboratively with teachers to modify instructional methods and interventions to meet the diverse needs of students, including students with special needs.
• Encourages staff members to pursue continued professional growth and supports the exploration and implementation of innovative instructional approaches and strategies.
• Organizes and conducts regular staff and teacher meetings focused on instructional improvement, professional learning, student achievement, school initiatives, and effective teaching practices.
• Involves faculty and staff in the evaluation of existing programs and the planning and development of new programs and initiatives.
• Supervises, evaluates, and provides professional feedback to teaching staff and other building employees in accordance with the District's employee evaluation plan.
• Makes recommendations regarding employee performance, professional goals, areas requiring improvement, continued employment, and other personnel matters as appropriate.
• Coordinates with the Superintendent and central office administrators regarding recruitment and selection of employees, personnel records, collective bargaining agreements, corrective action, and other human resource matters.
• Ensures accurate, complete, and confidential record-keeping and reporting related to student activities, attendance, academic records, and other information required by law or District policy.
• Ensures that student conduct is consistent with school expectations, District policies, and applicable laws while promoting restorative and appropriate approaches to student discipline.
• Encourages meaningful parent and family involvement in student education and maintains effective communication among students, parents, staff, and the community.
• Establishes and maintains effective communication systems that keep students, families, staff, and district leadership informed of school programs, expectations, accomplishments, and areas of need.
• Promotes a positive school culture characterized by high expectations, collaboration, respect, accountability, and a commitment to student success.
• Continues to acquire professional knowledge and remain current regarding developments in education, school leadership, instructional practices, assessment, and applicable laws and regulations through professional development, seminars, workshops, professional meetings, research, and other learning opportunities.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent or designated central office administrators.

Additional Duties

Performs other related tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools or other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Note: The duties and responsibilities listed above are illustrative and are not intended to be an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of every task, responsibility, or working condition associated with the position.

Equipment Used

The High School Principal utilizes standard office and educational equipment, including but not limited to:

• Personal computers and computer network systems
• Printers and copiers
• Telephone and communication systems
• Fax and other standard office equipment
• District software and data information systems

Travel Requirements

Travel to school district buildings, professional development activities, conferences, meetings, and other locations as required to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.

Physical and Work Environment

The High School Principal generally works in standard office and school-building environments. The position requires the ability to perform duties in a dynamic educational setting and may involve frequent interaction with students, staff, parents, district administrators, and community members.

The position may require periods of standing, walking, sitting, communicating, and working at a computer, as well as responding to routine and emergency situations within the school environment.

Note: Refer to the District's Summary of Physical, Sensory, and Environmental Requirements Needed to Perform Essential Job Duties for additional requirements associated with this position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge

• Current teaching methods, educational pedagogy, and instructional best practices.
• Differentiated instruction and strategies for addressing diverse student learning styles, abilities, and needs.
• Student behavior management and positive school culture practices.
• High school curriculum, instructional standards, and educational concepts.
• Best practices in educational administration, program evaluation, staff supervision, and instructional leadership.
• Data information systems, data analysis, assessment practices, and the development of data-informed action plans.
• Applicable federal and Arizona state laws, regulations, and requirements governing public education.
• School safety practices, student support systems, and effective school operations.
• Principles and practices of personnel administration, budgeting, and school management.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to provide effective instructional, organizational, and operational leadership.
• Ability to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate school programs and improvement initiatives.
• Ability to analyze student achievement and operational data and use findings to develop appropriate action plans.
• Ability to use computer network systems, data systems, and software applications required to perform job responsibilities.
• Ability to develop and successfully implement projects and school improvement initiatives.
• Strong verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with students, parents, employees, district leadership, and community members.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, cooperative, and professional working relationships.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks, responsibilities, and competing time constraints.
• Ability to make sound administrative decisions and exercise appropriate judgment.
• Ability to address student and employee concerns in a fair, consistent, and professional manner.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation related to leadership effectiveness, job performance, and professional growth.
• Ability to promote collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive student and personnel information.

Qualifications Profile Certification and Licensure

• Valid Arizona State Certification appropriate for the position, as required by applicable Arizona laws and regulations.
• Valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
• Valid Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card.

Education

• Bachelor's and Master's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in Educational Leadership, School Administration, Education, or a related field.
• Sixth-year degree, doctorate, or enrollment in a planned advanced degree program in a related field preferred.

Experience

• Extensive and successful teaching experience at the high school level, preferably across more than one subject area and/or grade level.
• Successful administrative experience at the high school level preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in instructional leadership, staff supervision, program development, school improvement, and/or educational administration preferred.

Professional Expectations

The High School Principal is expected to:

• Demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and ethical leadership.
• Maintain high expectations for student learning and achievement.
• Foster an inclusive, respectful, and student-centered school culture.
• Build strong relationships with students, families, staff, and the community.
• Support and develop teachers and staff through meaningful feedback and professional learning.
• Use data and evidence to inform school improvement and instructional decisions.
• Model lifelong learning and continuous professional growth.
• Uphold all District policies and applicable federal and Arizona state laws and regulations.
• Represent Willcox Unified School District professionally and positively within the school and broader community.

Employment Information

Position: High School Principal
District: Willcox Unified School District
Location: Willcox, Arizona
Reports To: Superintendent of Schools

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be a complete list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions. The District reserves the right to modify duties and responsibilities as organizational needs require, consistent with applicable laws, policies, and employment agreements.