It would be easy to be a principal and run a school the way that you wanted. With the rules that you wanted and the discipline that you wanted. Unfortunately, it does not work that way, since all school have policy books that they need to follow. Policy books that includes students, staff and families. These policy books are books that really protect not only the student but also the staff. They help guide the school on how it is going to function for the better of the students. A principal’s role in helping create, enforce, and ensuring that the school vision is never blurred is very important.
One of the first steps for the principal to enforce a handbook in a school is to review it themselves. Going into a school year a principal needs to be sure that the school handbook is something that follows his vision for the school and the staff, but most important can have an idea on how he is going to execute the rules of the handbook. One thing that a principal is responsible for is relying the policy, the best way to do that is constant reminders to the staff, as in staff meetings, training days and beginning and end of the year site meeting. However, the principal can only do so much, he can give the policy books, but it is up to the staff to make sure that the policies are being followed. One of the important parts of the principal enforcing the policies is to hold staff accountable if they are not following the policies.
If a staff member is not following the policies then the principal has to intervene and start an investigation. First, why, why isn’t the staff member following, then having the conversation, which includes reminding the staff member about the policies. Finally, follow up with the staff member and principal about the policy and see if they are being followed. The danger with a staff member not following a policy, or even the principal himself is a parent, a school, or a staff member taking legal action against whoever was not doing the following. Legal consequences can include anything from an investigation, which may involve union or non-union all the way to leave with or without pay for a staff member. However, the most severe consequence could be a lawsuit against the school, principal or a certain staff member.
For example, a teacher did not meet the IEP standard minutes for a student, and after the principal has given many warning or “discussions”, a legal action is taken. This legal action can include petition for emails from the teacher, witnesses, and any other legal necessities. One thing that will come into play is the districts legal team being used. This is why a principal has to make sure to always inform any teachers on any policy, new or old.
One of the hardest things for a principal is to make sure that through all the policies that his or her school vision is not blurred and stays constant. One way for a principal to do this is to have a team. A school team that helps keep the school vision going. A team that is going to give ideas on how to work with new upcoming policies. This way the principal is not only held accountable of the policies and is enforcing them, but is also working the policies and the staff members to still have a great school.