The Head of School is the chief executive officer of the school and is appointed by the Board of Trustees. The Executive Officers of the Board of Trustees determine the Head of School’s terms of appointment, compensation and benefits. 

Within the policies established by the Board of Trustees, the Head of School is responsible for ensuring processes necessary to develop institutional programs, providing administrative and educational leadership, employing and discharging personnel, enrolling and dismissing students, preparing the annual budget, and generally being responsible for the day-to-day operation of the school. 

As chief executive officer of the school, the Head of School is responsible for the direct supervision of the divisional Principals, the Assistant Head of School, the Director of Finance and Operations, the Director of Admissions and Advancement, and indirectly for other members of the Administrative Council. The Head of School is expected to foster community relations and recommend policies and strategic initiatives for consideration by the Board of Trustees. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• To support the work of the Board of Trustees and related committees;

• To implement Board of Trustees policies;

• To develop and evaluate the school's educational programs;

• To ensure preparation of an annual budget and financial plan;

• To ensure the school has a system of financial and accounting controls so that expenditures remain within the authorized budget and that the school complies with all disclosure and other fiscal obligations;

• To recommend policies and strategic initiatives covering all aspects of the school's mission and operations;

• To directly supervise and evaluate the Principals, the Assistant Head of School, the Director of Finance and Operations, and the Director of Admissions and Advancement;

• To negotiate, in consultation with the Board of Trustees Chair, the compensation and benefits of administrators not otherwise covered by tariff agreements;

• To ensure an effective process to recruit, appoint, train, evaluate and dismiss administrators, faculty and staff;

• To develop a public relations program to monitor and continue to improve upon the reputation of the school both within the FIS community and also more broadly;

• To represent the school in negotiations with governmental authorities;

• To foster the talent and motivation of the faculty and staff to encourage their involvement and participation in the growth of the school;

• To take all reasonable measures to ensure the health and safety of students, faculty and staff while on school property and during school-sponsored activities;

• To decide upon all instances of student expulsions; and

• To develop and oversee the implementation of the master plan for the school facilities.

In addition to the above-mentioned duties and responsibilities, the Board of Trustees may assign further responsibilities to the Head of School according to the needs of the school.

Acting Head of School

The Head of School shall delegate an administrator to act as Head of School in the event of an absence of both the Head of School and Assistant Head of School during the school year. However, any such acting Head of School shall not have the authority to sign purchase orders or employ personnel unless specifically empowered by the Head of School.

Interim Head of School

The Board of Trustees may appoint an interim Head of School if exceptional circumstances cause the Head of School to be absent for an extended period of time.