2220 THE PRINCIPAL

2221 JURISDICTION

In parishes, the principal is the administrative officer of the school and is the spiritual, educational, managerial leader, subject to the ultimate canonical responsibility entrusted to the pastor. In Archdiocesan schools, the principal is responsible not only for the educational program, but also for the financial administration of all school funds (See 3112 and Parish and School Financial Policy Manual and Parish / School Financial Accounting and Reporting System).

2222 APPOINTMENT/EMPLOYMENT

The Department of Catholic Schools assists and supports the pastor in his responsibility to screen applicants for the position of principal; assists in the establishment of a local search committee; and identifies qualified applicants for principal. (See 4111 (all), 4112.2, 4114).

Where a religious community contract is in effect, the principal is ordinarily assigned by the major superior, with the approval of the pastor and the Superintendent of Catholic Schools.

(Specifics concerning qualifications, contracts, and renewal/termination of employment are contained in Section 4000 (See 4113.2, 4115, 4115.2, 4115.3, 4121, 4126, 4127)).

In the event that a principalship must be filled on a temporary basis, the procedure shall be that the pastor appoints a temporary replacement with the advice and prior approval of the Superintendent. In such a case, approval will be based on a review of the nominee’s personal and professional administrative qualifications, both academic and experiential.

In a school where there is a contract with a religious community, the pastor should consult the major superior to determine whether or not the community will provide a replacement.

2223 GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

The principal has as highest priority the building of a Christian community of faith in which the Christian message and experiences of community, worship, service and social concern are integrated. Additionally, a paramount responsibility is to promote and facilitate student learning of the highest quality.

The principal:

a) Administers the total school program;

b) Supervises and evaluates the teachers, the students, and the instructional program;

c) Oversees the operation of the school plant and supervises all support staff members;

d) Interacts with the parent, parish, and general public communities;

e) Collaborates with and seeks counsel from the Department of Catholic Schools;

f) Fulfills accreditation criteria articulated by Western Catholic Educational Association and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WCEA/WASC).

2224 SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of the principal include, but are not limited to the following:

.1 Educational Leader

a) Leadership

1. Develops a vision and school climate reflecting Catholic identity and applies that vision to the daily activities of the school;

2. Promotes healthy staff morale and fosters leadership ability among the staff;

3. Identifies needed change and uses research to guide action plans;

4. Attends to personal and professional development.

b) Curriculum and Instruction

1. Applies knowledge of religious content and methods of faith formation;

2. Provides for cultural and religious differences;

3. Uses a variety of educational and pedagogical skills and is aware of the developmental stages of the students;

4. Evaluates the general effectiveness of the school's learning program by utilizing effective procedures for student assessment;

5. Recognizes and accommodates the special learning needs of children within the regular classroom;

6. Supervises instruction effectively;

7. Integrates Gospel values and Christian ethics into the curriculum, policies and life of the school.

.2 Spiritual Leader

a) Faith Development

1. Nurtures the faith development of faculty and staff through opportunities for spiritual growth;

2. Ensures quality Catholic religious instruction of students;

3. Provides opportunities for the school community to celebrate our faith;

4. Supports and fosters active Christian service;

5. Communicates to parents opportunities for adult faith formation sponsored by the parish and the Archdiocese;

6. Ensures that regular gatherings of parents begin with prayer or reflection and include an opportunity for on-going faith formation;

7. Facilitates the moral development and maturity of children, youth, and adults.

b) Building Christian Community

1. Fosters communication among the pastor, parish, and school community;

2. Respects and facilitates the role of parents as primary educators;

3. Collaborates with staff to give witness to the Catholic identity of the school with religious signs, symbols and displays

4. Assists parents in understanding that the school is an essential ministry of the parish.

c) History and Philosophy

1. Demonstrates knowledge of the history and purpose of Catholic Schools in the United States;

2. Interprets the school philosophy, policies and regulations, and the religious and educational programs to the school community at large;

3. Utilizes church documents, Catholic educational guidelines, and Archdiocesan directives;

4. Develops and implements statements of philosophy and mission that reflect the unique Catholic character of the school in collaboration with the pastor, faculty, and school community.

.3 Managerial Leader

a) Personnel Management

1. Recruits, interviews, employs, and provides an orientation for school staff;

2. Assists the faculty in achieving the goals of Catholic education through staff development and professional leadership;

3. Applies skills of organizational management, delegation of responsibilities, effective communication, and collaborative group processes for decision making;

4. Maintains a continuing program of supervision and evaluation of instructional and non-instructional personnel;

5. Manages personnel and student files;

6. Manages conflicts effectively.

b) Institutional Management

1. Initiates appropriate consultation with the Archdiocesan office and submits reports required by the Department of Catholic Schools promptly and accurately;

2. Complies with appropriate canonical, federal, state, and local laws in harmony with Archdiocesan policies and regulations, especially those dealing with government-funded programs and those pertaining to health, safety, and emergency procedures for staff and students (See 3510, 3530, 5150, 5160, 6217, 6224, 6226 & Model Emergency Plan for Schools);

3. Utilizes Catholic School governance structures and works effectively with the school board;

4. Uses current technologies;

5. Provides for an orderly school environment and promotes student self-discipline.

c) Finance and Development

1. Plans and manages the school’s financial resources and develops and monitors the annual budget (See Parish and School Financial Policy Manual);

2. Provides adequate instructional equipment, textbooks, resources, and services to implement the school program within budgeting limits and approved guidelines (See 6300, 6400);

3. Utilizes strategies of long-range planning, effective public relations, and a school marketing program for the success of the school;

4. Seeks resources and support beyond the parish and school communities.

2225 FACTORS SUPPORTING FUNCTION

Some factors and policies that will assist the principal to fulfill adequately and effectively the responsibilities of that office are detailed in the following:

.1 Full-time Service. All elementary schools with six or more full-time teachers shall have a full-time principal.

Except in short-term emergencies, principals shall not assume full or half-day responsibility for a class. In the event this seems a necessity, consultation with the Superintendent is required.

The choice to teach one period a day or an occasional unit of instruction is left to the discretion of the principal.

.2 Delegation. It is expected that the principal will delegate as many administrative and clerical functions as possible in order to have more time to develop the instructional

program and to supervise and evaluate classroom instruction. To this end, the principal should appoint/hire assistant administrator(s) and non-teaching personnel according to local need and resources (See 2230, 4211, 4213.3).

.3 Approved Absence. Principals may not be absent from school premises during any school day while school is in session, except for reasonable cause. In setting local policies, the pastor and/or board cannot exclude attendance of the principal at educational meetings and conferences sponsored by the Department of Catholic Schools.

Within reasonable limits, attendance at workshops and conventions of professional organizations that are designed to assist principals in their duties is approved and encouraged by the Department of Catholic Schools.

The principal shall give prior notice to the pastor concerning all-day absence(s) for such in-service (See 4171).

.4 Professional Development and Assessment. The Department of Catholic Schools is responsible for the development of procedures, standards, and processes to assess the performance of principals and to assist them to improve their professional competence.

Principals will comply with the procedures and timeline of this annual process.

2226 ADMINISTRATIVE PUBLICATIONS

Each principal has the responsibility to formulate local regulations that are in accordance with Archdiocesan policies and the obligation to adequately inform parents concerning certain Archdiocesan and local policies and regulations (See 1112). All principals are required to publish a Parent-Student Handbook that is updated regularly. Topics that should be included in the Handbook can be found in the Appendices 8 and 9.

Principals are likewise required to publish a Faculty Handbook that is subject to, and must be consistent with, Archdiocesan polices (See Appendices 8 and 9).

Principals are strongly encouraged to communicate regularly by means of weekly or monthly principal’s newsletter.