The school district shall have, as an organizational structure, a Superintendent and an Elementary Principal.  The board has the right to combine these positions into one position if they believe it is best for district operation.

It shall be the responsibility of the administrators to uphold the policies of the Board, to instill a positive, cooperative environment with school district personnel, and to share their expertise with each other and the Board under the management team concept.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§279.8, .20, .21, .23 (1991)
                                       281 Iowa Admin. Code 12.4

Cross Reference:  301        Administrative Structure
                                       304        Administrative Personnel

Approved:  2-10-92              
Reviewed:  4-10-23              
Revised:  4-14-14

The Board shall employ a building principal and other administrators, in addition to the superintendent, to assist in the daily operations of the school district.

The Board shall only consider applicants that meet or exceed the standards set by the State Department of Education and qualifications set by the Board for the position.  In employing these administrators, the Board shall consider the qualifications, credentials, and records of the applicants without regard to race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, age, or disability.  In keeping with the law, however, the Board will consider the veteran status of the applicants.  The Board will look closely at the training, experience, skill, and demonstrated competence of all qualified applicants in making its final decision.

Also, as part of choosing a building principal or other administrator, the Board shall consider the school district’s educational philosophy, budget, organizational structure, educational programs, licensed staff, and any other factors about the school district deemed relevant by the Board.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation to the Board for filling an administrative position, based on the requirements stated in this policy.  The Board shall act only on the superintendent’s recommendation.

The Board may contract for assistance in the search of administrators.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§279.8, .21 (1991)
                                       281 Iowa Admin. Code 12.4
                                       1980 Op. Att’y Gen. 367

Cross Reference:  304        Administrative Personnel

Approved:  2-10-92              
Reviewed:  4-10-23              
Revised:  3-10-08

The length of the contract for employment between an administrator and the board will be determined by the board and stated in the contract.  The contract will also state the terms of the employment. 

The first three consecutive years of a contract issued to a newly employed administrator will be considered a probationary period.  The probationary period may be extended for an additional year upon the consent of the administrator.  In the event of termination of a probationary or nonprobationary contract, the board will afford the administrator appropriate due process, as required by law.  The administrator and board may mutually agree to terminate the administrator’s contract.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to create a contract for each administrative position.  The board may issue temporary and nonrenewable contracts in accordance with law. 

Administrators who wish to resign, to be released from a contract, or to retire, must comply with applicable law and board policies.

Legal Reference:  Martin v. Waterloo Community School District, 518 N.W. 2d 381 (Iowa 1994)
                                      Cook v Plainfield Community School District, 301 N.W.2d 771 (Iowa App. 1980)
                                      Board of Education of Fort Madison Community School District v Youel, 282 N.W.2d 677 (Iowa 1979)
                                      Briggs v Board of Education of Hinton Community School District, 282 N.W.2d 740 (Iowa 1979)
                                      Iowa Code §279
                                      281 I.A.C. Code 12.4

Cross Reference:  303        Administrative Employees

Approved:  2-10-92              
Reviewed:  3-13-23              
Revised:  1-08-18

The Board has complete discretion to set the salary of the principal.  The Board shall set the salary and fringe benefits at a level mutually agreeable to both the Board and the principal.

It shall be the responsibility of the Board to set the salary of the principal at a level that will include consideration of, but not be limited to, the economic condition of the school district and the training, experience, skill, and demonstrated competence of the principal.  The salary shall be agreed upon at the beginning of each contract period.

In addition to the salary and benefits agreed upon, the principal’s actual and necessary expenses will be paid by the school district when the principal is performing school business.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §279.21 (1991)

Cross Reference:  304        Administrative Personnel

Approved:  2-10-92              
Reviewed:  4-10-23              
Revised:  4-8-02

Principals shall be hired by the board to assist the superintendent in the day-to-day operations of the school district.

The responsibilities and duties of the individual administrative positions shall be enumerated more specifically in job descriptions for each position.  These descriptions, however, shall not act to limit the responsibilities of the office as determined by the Board and the superintendent.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§279.8, .21 (1991)
                                      281 Iowa Admin. Code 12.4(5), .4(6), .4(7), 43, 58

Cross Reference:  301        Administrative Structure
                                      304        Administrative Personnel

Approved:  2-10-92              
Reviewed:  4-10-23              
Revised:  4-8-02

The superintendent shall conduct an ongoing process of evaluating the principal on their skills, abilities, and competence.  Annually, the superintendent will formally evaluate the principal.  The goal of the formal evaluation process is to ensure the educational program for the students is carried out, promote growth in effective administrative leadership for the school district, clarify the principal’s role as the Board and the superintendent see it, as certain areas in need of improvement, clarify the immediate priorities of the responsibilities listed in the job description, and develop a working relationship between the superintendent and the principal.

The formal evaluation shall include written criteria related to the job description.  The formal evaluation shall also include an opportunity for the principal and the superintendent to discuss the written criteria, the past year’s performance and the future areas of growth.  The evaluation shall be completed by the superintendent, signed by the principal and filed in the principal’s personnel file.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to conduct formal evaluation of the probationary principal and non-probationary principals prior to April 30, at a time mutually agreeable to the administrators and the superintendent.

This policy supports and does not preclude the ongoing informal evaluation of the principal’s skills, abilities and competence.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§279.8, .21-.23A (1991)

Cross Reference:  302.1    Administration and the Board of Directors
                                       304        Administrative Personnel

Approved:  2-10-92              
Reviewed:  4-10-23              
Revised:  4-8-02

The Board encourages the principals to continue their professional growth by becoming involved in professional organizations, attending conferences, continuing their education, and doing other professional activities.

It shall be the responsibility of the principal to arrange their schedules in order to attend various conferences and events in which they are involved.  Prior to attendance at an event, the principal must have received approval from the superintendent.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §279.8 (1991)
                                       281 Iowa Admin. Code 12.7, 85.12, 86.4, .6, .8-.9, 88

Cross Reference:  303.6    Superintendent Professional Development

Approved:  2-10-92              
Reviewed:  4-10-23              
Revised:  4-08-02

The Board encourages the principal to be involved in the school district community by belonging to community organizations, and by attending and participating in community activities.

It shall be the responsibility of the principal to become involved in community activities and events.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §279.8 (1991)

Cross Reference:  1007      Other Interdistrict Relations

Approved:  2-10-92              
Reviewed:  4-10-23              
Revised:  4-8-02

An administrative position is considered full-time employment.  The Board expects principals to give the responsibilities of their positions in the school district precedence over other employment.  A principal may accept consulting or outside employment for pay as long as, in the judgment of the Board and the superintendent, the work is conducted on the principal’s personal time and it does not interfere with the performance of the administrative duties contracted by the Board.

The Board reserves the right, however, to request the principal cease the outside employment as a condition of continued employment.  The Board shall give the principal thirty (30) days notice to cease outside employment.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§279.8, .21 (1991)

Cross Reference:  304.3    Administrative Contract and Contract Non-Renewal            
                                       304.5    Administrative Duties

Approved:  2-10-92              
Reviewed:  4-10-23              
Revised:  4-8-02