NEPN/NSBA Code:   CB-R

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Superintendent of Schools 

JOB GOAL:

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.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

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

REPORTS TO:  School Committee 

SUPERVISES:   Directly or indirectly, every school system employee

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES AND CRITERIA:

The criteria for performing the job responsibilities of the Superintendent include the ability to function effectively in the following categories: 1) Communication;2) Community Relations; 3) Curriculum; 4) School/Community Involvement; 5) Leadership; 6) Organizational Management; 7) Personnel Management; 8) School Facility Management; 9) School Finance/Budgeting; 10) School Improvement; 11) Staff Development; 12) Superintendent/School Committee Relations; and 13) Supervision/Evaluation.

A.  Communication—Able to communicate clearly with staff, parents, students, and the 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 Pre K-Adult Education.

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 Mission and Vision Statement of 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 Mission and Vision Statement as a guide.

3. Communicates the educational vision and priorities effectively to staff, students, and the community.

4. Attend conventions and conferences to keep abreast of the 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. Excellent organizational skills, working knowledge of school law, and proven ability to resolve organizational conflicts.

1.  Administers, as chief school executive, 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 on 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. Recommends attendance boundaries for all schools and the transfer of students from one building to another in the interest of good administration of the instructional program. 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 of the most qualified and competent teachers and administrators.

3. Employs the most qualified and competent support staff.

4. Develops job descriptions for all staff.

5. Assigns and transfers employees as the interests of the school system require.

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

H.  School Facility Management—Good understanding of facilities management, including the 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; appropriates 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.

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. A 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 Maine’s Learning Results.  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 system-wide and individual development.

1.  Fosters an environment that encourages continuous learning and improvement on the part of the 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 the management of the schools under the School Committee’s policies and is accountable to the School Committee. Supports and facilitates the work of the Committee. Maintains open communication with the 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 a 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/School Committee 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.  Handles employee disciplinary issues as necessary.

4. Recommends salary changes or dismissal/non-renewal of administrators and teachers to the School Committee for final action.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

The 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.

EVALUATION:

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

Cross Reference: CBI – Evaluation of Superintendent

Reviewed: October 17, 2011

Reviewed: November 3, 2014

Reviewed: August 22, 2016

Reviewed: October 17, 2022