CB-R:  SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS JOB DESCRIPTION

I.      JOB GOALS

●      To provide leadership in developing and maintaining the best possible educational programs and services for the students of our school system

●      To lead, guide, and direct every member of the administrative, instructional, and support services teams in setting and achieving the highest standards of excellence in educational programs and operating systems

●      To be responsible for a system of supervision and evaluation for all staff designed to meet the goals of the school system.

●      To oversee and administer the use of all facilities, property, and funds in the best interests of students and the school system.

II.     MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

A.             Superintendent Certification (010) Maine Department of Education (or certifiable)

B.             Master’s Degree in Educational Administration or related field

C.             Successful experience as central office administrator; strong elementary and/or secondary school administrator experience; strong knowledge of The Maine Learning Results.”

D.             Such alternatives to the qualifications listed in B. and C. as the School Committee may find appropriate and acceptable.

III.   REPORTS TO:       School Committee

IV. SUPERVISES: All administrative and supervisory personnel of the school system.

V.    PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES AND CRITERIA

A.    Communicates clearly with staff, parents, students and community, both verbally and in writing.

1.    Keeps the public informed of the status of the schools.

2.    Conducts meetings of administrators, teachers and other staff members as necessary for the discussion of matters concerning the improvement and welfare of the schools.

 3.   Communicates to all staff members, directly or through delegation, actions of the School Committee relating to personnel matters and receives from employees communications to be made to the School Committee.

 4.   Confers as appropriate with professional and lay groups concerning the school program and transmits suggestions to the School Committee and others, as appropriate.

B.     Community Relations—Recognizes the importance of both stimulating and reflecting community needs/wants regarding education.  Demonstrates ability to involve the community in developing and implementing goals.  Views the community/school relationship as a partnership.

1.    Establishes and maintains a program of public relations to keep the public well informed of the activities and needs of the school system, effecting a wholesome and cooperative working relationship between the schools and the community.

2.    Communicates with and understands the needs and perspectives of various community groups.

3.    Attends, or delegates a representative to attend, meetings of municipal agencies at which matters pertaining to the school system appear on the agenda or are expected to be raised.

4.    Keeps the public informed about current educational practices, educational trends, and the policies, practices, successes and challenges of the schools.

C.     Curriculum—Strong commitment to leading the effort to define and deliver an effective, consistent curriculum K-12. 

1.    Administers the development and maintenance of educational programs designed to meet the needs of the community and to carry out the policies of the School Committee.

2.    Conducts reviews of the total school program, and advises the School Committee on recommendations for the educational advancement of the schools.

3.    Recommends to the School Committee, through the use of appropriate personnel, adoption of courses of study, curriculum, teaching materials, etc.

4.    Oversees timely revisions of curriculum and courses of study.

D.    School/Community Involvement—Visible in the schools, aware of current issues and activities in the schools, and shows an interest in community affairs.

1. Visits schools and classrooms as appropriate.  Attends a reasonable number of student/staff events.

2. Seeks to stay informed about issues and activities in the schools.

3.   Has a reasonable level of knowledge of administrators, staff, and students.

4.   Has a reasonable level of knowledge about community events, concerns, accomplishments, and direction.

E.     Leadership—Able to motivate, lead, guide and direct people.  Committed  to implementing the 21st Century Vision for  the school system. 

1.     Facilitates the development of and implements a collaborative educational vision, and assists the School Committee in setting priorities for the school system. 

                     2.    Serves as the educational leader of the school system.  Performs job

                                responsibilities using the district vision as a guide.

                     3.    Communicates the educational vision and priorities effectively to

                                staff, students, and community.

                     4.    Attend conventions and conferences to keep abreast of latest

                                educational trends.

                     5.    Ensures that policies, procedures and school rules promote a safe,

                                respectful, and healthy school environment.

F.     Organizational Management—Uses a systematic approach to managing and improving the schools.  Possesses excellent organizational skills, working knowledge of school law, and proven ability to resolve organizational conflicts.

1.    Administers the development, maintenance, and improvement of the educational program.

2.    Maintains, directly or through delegation, such personnel records, pupil accounting records, business records and other records as required by law and/or School Committee policy.

 3.  Files, or causes to be filed, all reports required by state or federal laws/regulations.

 4.   Advises the School Committee of the need for new and revised policies, and ensures that all policies of the School Committee are implemented.

5.    Makes administrative decisions necessary for the effective and efficient operations of the schools.  Acts at his/her own discretion when emergency action is necessary in matters not covered by School Committee policy.  Reports such emergency actions to the School Committee and recommends policy for future guidance.

 6.   Develops and implements rules and procedures for staff and students as necessary to comply with School Committee policies, and state and federal laws/regulations.

7.    Delegates to other staff, at own discretion, the exercise of any powers and duties, with the knowledge that such delegation does not relieve the Superintendent of final responsibility for any actions taken.

 8.  Implements School Committee policies and state laws/regulations for the promotion, retention and acceleration of students.

9.    Makes recommendations to the School Committee concerning the transportation of students in accordance with School Committee policies, state laws/regulations, and student safety considerations.

G.    Personnel Management—Excellent people skills.  Ability to recruit and retain high quality staff.  Strong personnel management practices and understanding of collective bargaining issues.

1.    Develops and implements a hiring process that complies with applicable state and federal laws and attracts the most qualified candidates.

2.    Nominates to the School Committee for employment the most qualified and competent teachers and administrators.                 

3.    Presents to the School Committee the most qualified and competent support staff.

4.    Develops job descriptions for all staff, subject to School Committee review and approval.

5.    Assigns and transfers employees as the interests of the school system require, and reports such actions to the School Committee for information and record.

6.    Participates, as deemed appropriate by the School Committee, in negotiations with recognized employee bargaining units.

7.    Handles employee grievances or problems in accordance with applicable School Committee policies, collective bargaining agreements, and/or state/federal laws and regulations.

8.    Establishes and implements personnel policies and procedures for non-union staff.

9. Ensures that the School Committee complies with meet and consult requirements on educational policy issues.

10. Establishes personnel procedures that provide information that may be used to advance the quality of the school system, such as exit interviews for departing employees, employee focus group discussions on specific aspects of job performance and duties, questionnaires and/or other means of eliciting staff member feedback.

H.    School Facility Management- Good understanding of facilities management, including development of long-term maintenance plans, and budgeting/planning for future building needs.

1.    Makes recommendations to the School Committee on: the location and size of new school sites and additions to existing sites; the location and size of new buildings on sites; plans for new school buildings; budgets for sites and buildings; and improvements, alterations and changes in buildings and equipment.

2.    Develops and implements short and long-term maintenance plans for school buildings and grounds, delegating particular duties as the Superintendent deems appropriate.

3.   Includes maintenance and other facilities/equipment needs in budget planning.

 4.  Develops and implements guidelines and procedures governing the use and care of school facilities and property.

5.    Recommends to the School Committee sales of surplus property no longer needed and authorizes the proper execution of such sales.

I.      School Finance/Budgeting—Strong working knowledge of school finance, including budget development and management.  Ability to effectively communicate with the School Committee, staff, community and local municipal officials.  Clear understanding of federal, state, and local funding issues.

1.    Demonstrates the ability to perform effective financial forecasting and long and short-term financial planning.

2.    Supervises the preparation and presentation of the annual budget and recommends it to the School Committee for approval.

3.    Establishes and maintains efficient procedures and effective controls for all expenditures of school funds in accordance with the adopted budget.

4.    Clearly explains proposed budgets, needs and priorities to the School Committee, community and local municipal officials.

5.    Conducts all financial operations and purchasing within School Committee policies and applicable state/federal laws/regulations.

6.    Maintains appropriate financial accounts and ensures that audits are performed on an annual basis.

7.   Provides prior notice to the School Committee when there is a need to depart from School Committee policy in any financial matter.

J.      School Improvement—Commitment to supervise and evaluate school programs in the spirit of continuous improvement; understanding of educational practices, research, and national/state/local initiatives including Proficiency Based Learning; and ability to frame issues for discussion, reach timely decisions, and implement change.

1.    Develops, implements, and monitors the change process to improve the educational program.

2.    Is familiar with current research and educational issues.

3.   Involves the staff and community in plans to improve the educational program.

4.    Ensures that there is a comprehensive system of student assessment in place.

5.   Informs and advises the School Committee about educational programs and instructional practices in the schools.

6.    Communicates effectively with staff, students and the community about educational trends, curriculum needs and instructional programs.

7.   Ensures that the educational program complies with School Committee policies and applicable state and federal laws/regulations.

8.   Ensures that administrators and teachers communicate student progress and school curricula to parents on a regular basis.

K.    Staff Development- Committed to and fosters continuous staff improvement.  Emphasizes both systemwide and individual development.

1.    Fosters an environment that encourages continuous learning and improvement on the part of school staff.

2.    Develops and implements an effective system of staff development focused on improving the educational and operational programs of the schools, with appropriate input from the School Committee, administration and staff.

3.    Provides reasonable opportunities for staff to participate in conferences, visitations and coursework within the framework of the school system’s budget.

4.    Ensures that all staff are involved in the school system’s staff development opportunities.

5.    Informs the School Committee of staff development priorities, needs, and activities.

L.    Superintendent/School Committee Relations—Understands that the Superintendent is responsible for management of the schools under the School Committee’s policies and is accountable to the School Committee.  Supports and facilitates the work of the School Committee.  Maintains open communications with the School Committee.

1.    Supervises and ensures compliance with all laws, regulations and School Committee policies.

2.    Keeps the School Committee informed about programs, activities, accomplishments, problems, and needs of the schools.

 3.   Presents information and recommendations necessary to assist the School Committee in performing its duties effectively, including the need for policy on particular subjects.

 4.  Schedules and attends meetings of the School Committee.

 5.  Serves as Secretary to the School Committee as required by law.

6.    Serves as an ex officio member of all school system committees and School Committee committees/sub-committees, attending meetings as specified by the School Committee.

7.    Advises and recommends action by the School Committee as appropriate concerning student and staff disciplinary issues.

8.    Assists the School Committee in developing annual and long-range goals for the school system.

9.    Represents the school system with the media and other groups as deemed appropriate by the School Committee.

 10. Performs such other tasks as may be assigned by the School Committee.

M.    Supervision/Evaluation—Understands the importance of accountability for staff and self.  Uses an evaluation process that establishes clear performance standards and follows through to resolve performance issues.

1.   Develops and implements an effective system of supervision and evaluation for all staff, based on School Committee policies and with appropriate input from administration and staff.

2.    Oversees methods of teaching, supervision, evaluation and administration in the schools.

3.    Disciplines employees as necessary and reports such actions to the School Committee as appropriate.

4.    Recommends salary changes or dismissal/nonrenewal of all professional employees.

VI.   DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

MISSION, VISION, AND CORE VALUES:

As an educational leader, develops, advocates, and enacts a shared mission, vision, and core values of high-quality education and academic success and well-being of each student.

a)     Develops an educational mission for the schools to promote the academic success and well-being of each student.

b)     In collaboration with members of the schools and the community and using relevant data, develops and promotes a vision for the schools on the successful learning and development of each child and on instructional and organizational practices that promote such success.

c)     Articulates, advocates, and cultivates core values that define school culture and stresses the imperative of child-centered education; high expectations and student support; equity, inclusiveness, and social justice; openness, caring, and trust; and continuous improvement.

d)     Strategically develops, implements, and evaluates actions to achieve the vision for the schools.

e)     Reviews the mission and vision of the schools and adjust them to changing expectations and opportunities for the schools and changing needs and situations of students.

f)      Develops shared understanding of and commitment to mission, vision, and core values within the schools and the community.

g)     Models and pursues the school unit’s mission, vision, and core values in all aspects of leadership.

VII. ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL NORMS:

Acts ethically and according to professional norms to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

a)     Acts ethically and professionally in personal conduct, relationships with others, decision-making, stewardship of the school’s resources, and all aspects of school leadership.

b)     Acts according to and promote the professional norms of integrity, fairness, transparency, trust, collaboration, perseverance, learning, and continuous improvement.

c)     Places children at the center of education and accept responsibility for each student’s academic success and well-being.

d)     Safeguards and promotes the values of democracy, individual freedom and responsibility, equity, social justice, community, and diversity.

e)     Leads with interpersonal and communication skill, social-emotional insight, and understanding of all students’ and staff members’ backgrounds and cultures.

f)      Provides moral direction for the school and promotes ethical and professional behavior among faculty and staff.

VIII. EQUITY AND CULTURAL RESPONSIVENESS:

Strives for equity of educational opportunity and culturally responsive practices to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

a)     Ensures that each student is treated fairly, respectfully, and with an understanding of each student’s culture and context.

b)     Recognizes, respects, and employs each student’s strengths, diversity, and culture as assets for teaching and learning.

c)     Ensures that each student has equitable access to effective teachers, learning opportunities, academic and social support, and other resources necessary for success.

d)     Develops student policies and addresses student misconduct in a positive, fair, and unbiased manner.

e)     Confronts and alters institutional biases of student marginalization, deficit-based schooling, and low expectations associated with race, class, culture and language, gender and sexual orientation, and disability or special status.

f)      Promotes the preparation of students to live productively in and contribute to the diverse cultural contexts of a global society.

g)     Acts with cultural competence and responsiveness in their interactions, decision making, and practice.

h)     Addresses matters of equity and cultural responsiveness in all aspects of leadership.

IX.   TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Work year shall be twelve (12) months.  Length of contract, salary, and benefits shall be determined by the School Committee and Superintendent under the Superintendent’s individual contract.

X.    EVALUATION

Performance shall be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the School Committee’s policy on evaluation of the Superintendent.

Adopted: November 1, 2011

Revised: November 1, 2016; November 7, 2023

Cross Reference:     CBI-Evaluation of Superintendent