Duties
The Principal serves as the operational and instructional leader of the high school, responsible for ensuring high levels of academic achievement, student engagement, and staff effectiveness. The Principal leads and manages all aspects of the school’s instructional programs, personnel, operations, and community relations to fulfill the mission and strategic goals of the District.
It is expected that the candidate will present a record of successful experiences that indicate a record of outstanding leadership and performance in the following responsibilities:
School Operations & Management
- Oversee all building operations, including safety, facilities, and grounds management, in partnership with the Director of Building and Grounds and the Superintendent.
- Plan and implement the school’s master schedule, staffing, and resource allocation processes.
- Prepare and administer the annual school budget, aligning financial resources with strategic goals and instructional priorities.
- Ensure compliance with District policies, Illinois School Code, and state and federal regulations.
Personnel Management
- Direct the recruitment, selection, evaluation, and assignment of professional staff in collaboration with the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources.
- Provide orientation and mentoring for new staff members.
- Supervise and evaluate all licensed and certified personnel, fostering a professional culture of accountability, collaboration, and growth.
- Promote the professional improvement of staff through ongoing coaching, recognition, and support.
Instructional Leadership
- Lead and sustain a school-wide focus on high-impact instruction, continuous improvement, and professional collaboration.
- Improve instruction by supporting in-service training, professional learning, and staff development.
- Direct the evaluation and professional performance of faculty, department chairs, and associate/assistant principals.
- Provide leadership to ensure alignment with District curriculum, assessment, and instructional initiatives.
- Oversee the assignment of teaching duties to staff holding valid Illinois licensure for their instructional areas.
- Co-lead the District Equity Leadership Team (DELT) and Building Equity Leadership Team (BELT).
Student Success & Support
- Collaborate with student services teams to promote attendance, engagement, and well-being of all students.
- Engage directly with families regarding student programming, school refusal, attendance, health, and discipline matters.
- Utilize law enforcement resources and School Resource Officers (SROs) when student or staff safety is at risk.
- Serve as the lead communicator in building level crisis situations, ensuring accurate and timely messaging to staff, students, and families.
Family and Community Engagement
- Interpret and communicate the school’s programs, goals, and achievements to parents and the community.
- Lead family engagement events such as Meet the Teacher Night and other parent/community programs.
- Encourage and facilitate parent and community visits that foster understanding and support for the school’s mission.
- Take an active interest in community organizations that support education and youth development.
- Maintain open, transparent communication with the Superintendent and Cabinet regarding school progress, conditions, and needs.
Qualifications
CERTIFICATION & QUALIFICATIONS
- Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with a General Administrative or Principal Endorsement required.
- Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, or a closely related field required; doctorate preferred.
- Minimum of five (5) years of administrative experience, preferably at the secondary level.
- Demonstrated success in instructional leadership, staff supervision, and community engagement.
- Completion of the Illinois Performance Evaluation – Growth Through Learning (PERA) training modules required.
- Certification standards for this position are governed by the Illinois School Code (Section 21) and corresponding statutory regulations.
PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS
- Model integrity, equity, and high professional standards.
- Maintain confidentiality, discretion, and sound judgment in all professional matters.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.
Additional Notes
SKILLS TO SUPPORT THESE RESPONSIBILITIES, including but not limited to
- Exceptional Interpersonal & Communication Skills – Strong verbal and written communication abilities to effectively engage with employees, administrators, and stakeholders.
- Reliability & Professionalism – Demonstrates punctuality, regular attendance, and a commitment to professional excellence.
- Technical Proficiency – Intermediate proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, and familiarity with social media platforms for communication and recruitment purposes.
- Integrity & Confidentiality – Maintains a high level of trustworthiness, ensuring strict confidentiality when handling sensitive student, employee and district information.
- Strong Work Ethic & Attention to Detail – Delivers high-quality, accurate work efficiently while meeting deadlines and organizational goals.
- Organization & Multitasking – Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Adaptability & Continuous Improvement – Open to learning new systems and approaches to enhance HR processes and district initiatives.
- Additional Qualifications – Other skills and qualifications as determined by the Board and Administration.
WORKING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Work Environment: The employee is required to work in both school and office settings and must be able to operate effectively in environments that include moderate noise levels, frequent interruptions, and interactions with students, staff, and community members. Work may involve extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, and using technology or office equipment. The employee must be able to travel between school sites and district offices as needed.
- Physical Requirements: The position requires the ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds, move freely throughout school facilities, and participate in meetings and presentations that require mobility and clear communication. The employee must possess visual and auditory acuity sufficient to perform job-related functions, including reading documents, viewing screens, and participating in in-person and virtual meetings.
- Flexibility & Availability: This position requires a high degree of flexibility and availability beyond the standard school day. Attendance at evening meetings, professional development sessions, Board meetings, and school events is required as part of the administrative role. The employee must be willing and able to adjust their schedule to meet the operational and instructional needs of the school and district.
- Professional Commitment: The employee is expected to maintain consistent attendance, punctuality, and professional demeanor. Responsiveness to communication, timely completion of assigned tasks, and adherence to district policies and timelines are essential to the successful performance of this position.
How to Apply
APPLICATION PROCESS
Qualified educators interested in applying for this administrative position are invited to complete an online application. Our application website address is http://www.applitrack.com/D207/onlineapp/. The application deadline is no later than Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Link to District/Third Party Online Application Web Page
www.applitrack.com/D207/onlineapp/