Administrators shall be hired by the board to assist the superintendent in the day-to-day operations of the school district.
Each attendance center shall have a building principal responsible for the administration and operation of the attendance center. Each building principal, as chief administrator of the assigned attendance center, shall be responsible for the building and grounds, for the students and employees assigned to the attendance center, for school activities at the attendance center, for the education program offered in the attendance center, and the budget for the attendance center. The principal shall be considered the professional advisor to the superintendent in matters pertaining to the attendance center supervised by the principal. Although the principals serve under the direction of the superintendent, duties of the principal may include, but not be limited to the following:
83.10(1) STANDARD 1 -- Shared vision. An educational leader promotes the success of all students by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community. The administrator:
a. In collaboration with others, uses appropriate data to establish rigorous, concrete goals in the context of student achievement and instructional programs.
b. Uses research and best practice in improving the educational program.
c. Articulates and promotes high expectations for teaching and learning.
d. Aligns and implements the educational program, plans, actions, and resources with the district’s vision and goals.
e. Provides leadership for major initiatives and efforts to effectuate change.
f. Communicates effectively with various stakeholders regarding progress with school improvement plan goals.
83.10(2) STANDARD 2 -- Culture of learning. An educational leader promotes the success of all students by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional development. The administrator:
a. Provides leadership for assessing, developing, and improving the climate and culture of learning.
b. Systematically and fairly recognizes and celebrates accomplishments of staff and students.
c. Provides leadership, encouragement, opportunities, and structure for staff to continually design more effective teaching and learning experiences for all students.
d. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
e. Evaluates staff and provides ongoing coaching for improvement.
f. Ensures that staff members have professional development that directly enhances their performance and improves student learning.
g. Uses current research and theory about effective schools and leadership to develop and revise the administrator’s professional growth plan.
h. Promotes collaboration with all stakeholders.
i. Is easily accessible and approachable to all stakeholders.
j. Is highly visible and engaged in the school community.
k. Articulates the desired school culture and shows evidence about how it is reinforced.
83.10(3) STANDARD 3 -- Management. An educational leader promotes the success of all students by ensuring management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment. The administrator:
a. Complies with state and federal mandates and local school board policies.
b. Recruits, selects, inducts, and retains staff to support quality instruction.
c. Addresses current and potential issues in a timely manner.
d. Manages fiscal and physical resources responsibly, efficiently, and effectively.
e. Protects instructional time by designing and managing operational procedures to maximize learning.
f. Communicates effectively with both internal and external audiences about the operations of the school.
83.10(4) STANDARD 4 -- Family and community. An educational leader promotes the success of all students by collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources. The administrator:
a. Engages family and community by promoting shared responsibility for student learning and support of the educational system.
b. Promotes and supports a structure for family and community involvement in the educational system.
c. Facilitates the connections of students and families to the health and social services that support a focus on learning.
d. Collaboratively establishes a culture that welcomes and honors families and community and seeks ways to engage them in student learning.
83.10(5) STANDARD 5 -- Ethics. An educational leader promotes the success of all students by acting with integrity and fairness and in an ethical manner. The administrator:
a. Demonstrates ethical and professional behavior.
b. Demonstrates values, beliefs, and attitudes that inspire others to higher levels of performance.
c. Fosters and maintains caring professional relationships with staff.
d. Demonstrates appreciation for and sensitivity to diversity in the school community.
e. Is respectful of divergent opinions.
83.10(6) STANDARD 6 -- Societal context. An educational leader promotes the success of all students by understanding the profile of the community and by responding to and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context. The administrator:
a. Collaborates with service providers and other decision makers to improve teaching and learning.
b. Advocates for the welfare of all members of the learning community.
c. Designs and implements appropriate strategies to reach desired goals.
Additionally, other duties may be assigned by the superintendent of schools.
This list of duties shall not act to limit the authority of the board and responsibility over the position of the administrators. In executing these duties and others the board may delegate, the administrators shall consider the financial condition of the district as well as the needs of the students in the school district.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8, .21, .23A
281 I.A.C. 12.4(5), .4(6), .4(7).
Cross Reference: 301 Administrative Structure
303 Administrative Employees
Approved: 1-10-83
Reviewed: 10-24-88, 5-10-93, 8-9-04, 2-28-11, 1-11-16, 3-28-2022
Revised: 11-14-88, 4-10-00, 6-10-02