The school board will employ building principals, administrators, and managers in addition to the superintendent to assist in the daily operations of the school district.

The board will consider applicants who meet or exceed the standards set by the Iowa Department of Education and the qualifications established in the job description for the position. In employing an administrator or manager, the board will consider the qualifications, credentials, and records of the applicants without regard to age, color creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, genetic information, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, military status, socioeconomic status, pregnancy, or familial status. The board will look closely at the training, experience, skill, and demonstrated competence of qualified applicants in making its final decision.

In approving the selection of an administrator or manager, the board will also consider the district's educational philosophy, financial condition, organizational structure, education programs, and other factors deemed relevant by the board.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation to the board for filling an administrative or managerial position based on the requirements stated in this policy. The board will act only on the superintendent's recommendation.

The board may contract for assistance in the search for administrators or managers.

Adopted: 8/14
Reviewed: 12/16; 11/19; 3/23
Related Policy: 300.1; 301.1; 303.2-6; 304.1
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 279.8, .21; 281 IAC 12.4
IASB Reference: 303.02
Mandatory Policy

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

The first two years of a contract issued to a newly employed administrator will be considered a probationary period. The board may waive this period, or 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 non-probationary contract, the board will afford the administrator appropriate due process, including notice by May 15^th, as required by law. The administrator and board may mutually agree to terminate the administrator's contract.

If an administrator's contract is not being renewed by the board, the contract will be extended automatically for additional one-year periods beyond the end of its term until it is modified or terminated, as mutually agreed to by the parties or until the administrator's contract is terminated consistent with statutory termination procedures.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to create a contract for each administrative position.

Adopted: 8/14
Reviewed: 12/16; 11/19; 3/23
Related Policy: 300.1; 301.1; 303.1, .3-6; 304.1
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): § 279; 281 IAC 12.4
IASB Reference: 303.03

An ongoing process of evaluating administrators on their skills, abilities, and competence will occur at a minimum, annually, concluding with a formal evaluation. The goal of the formal evaluation process is to ensure that the educational program for the students is carried out, ensure student learning goals of the district are met, promote growth in effective administrative leadership for the district, clarify the administrator's role as defined by the board and the superintendent, assess administrator competence in the Iowa Standards for School Leaders, ascertain 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 administrator. This policy supports and does not preclude the ongoing informal evaluation of the administrator’s skills, abilities, and competence.

The superintendent is responsible for designing an administrator evaluation instrument to assess, among other things, the administrator’s competence in meeting the Iowa Standards for School Leadership and the goals of the administrator’s individual professional development plan. The formal evaluation will include written criteria related to the job description and the Iowa Standards for School Leaders. 

The formal evaluation will also include an opportunity for the administrator and the superintendent to discuss the written criteria, the past year's performance, and future areas of growth. The evaluation is completed by the superintendent, signed by the administrator, and filed in the administrator's personnel file.

The principal will be an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by:

1. Mission, Vision, and Core Values: Develops, advocates, and enacts a shared mission, vision, and core values of high-quality education and the academic success and well-being of each student.
2. Ethics and Professional Norms: Acts ethically and according to professional norms to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.
3. Equity and Cultural Responsiveness: Strives for equity of educational opportunities and culturally responsive practices to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.
4. Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Develops and supports intellectually rigorous and coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, and assessment to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.
5. Community Care and Support for Students: Cultivates an inclusive, caring, and supportive school community that promotes the academic success and well-being of each student.
6. Professional Capacity of School Personnel: Develops the professional capacity and practices of school personnel to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.
7. Professional Community for Teachers and Staff: Fosters a professional community of teachers and staff to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.
8. Meaningful Engagement of Families and Community: Engages families and the community in meaningful, reciprocal, and mutually beneficial ways to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.
9. Operations and Management: Manages school operations and resources to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.
10. School Improvement: Acts as an agent of continuous improvement to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to conduct a formal evaluation of the probationary administrators and non-probationary administrators prior to May 15th.

Adopted: 8/14
Reviewed: 12/16; 11/19; 3/23
Revised: 9/21
Related Policy: 300.1; 301.1; 302.1-2, .4-6; 304.1
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 279.8, .21-23A; 281 IAC Ch 12.3(3); Ch 83
IASB Reference: 303.06

In order to assist the superintendent in carrying out the responsibilities of their office, and at the recommendation of the superintendent, the school board may appoint an associate superintendent of schools who will perform such duties as assigned by the superintendent.

The associate superintendent must have the following qualifications:

1. A master’s degree plus 30 semester hours of approved graduate preparation beyond the master’s degree from an accredited institution;
2. The necessary licensure as required by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners; and
3. Sufficient educational background and experience to merit recommendation by the superintendent.

The first two years of a contract issued to a newly appointed associate superintendent shall be considered a probationary period. The board may waive this period, or the probationary period may be extended for an additional year upon the recommendation of the superintendent. In the event of termination of a probationary or non-probationary contract, the board will afford the associate superintendent appropriate due process, including notice by May 15^th, as required by law. The associate superintendent and board may mutually agree to terminate the administrator’s contract at any time.

The associate superintendent:

1. Will be directly responsible to the superintendent;
2. Will assist the superintendent in the administration of the school district and, at the superintendent’s discretion, render any assistance desired in carrying out the responsibilities of their office; and
3. Will implement, with fidelity, the policies of the board, Code of Iowa, federal law, and negotiated contracts.

If the associate superintendent wishes to resign, to be released from contract, or to retire, the associate superintendent must comply with applicable law and board policies dealing with retirement, release, or resignation.

Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 4/13; 12/16; 11/19; 3/23
Revised: 12/10; 11/11; 8/14; 9/16
Related Policy: 300.1; 301.1; 304.1

In order to assist the superintendent in carrying out the responsibilities of their office, and at the recommendation of the superintendent, the school board may approve one or more principals to perform such duties as assigned by the superintendent and outlined in the function statements of Policy 303.5-R.

Building principals must have the following qualifications:

1. A master’s degree from an accredited institution;
2. The necessary licensure as required by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners; and
3. Sufficient educational background and experience to merit recommendation by the superintendent.

Principals will perform duties and responsibilities as designated by the superintendent subject to the policies of the school board, the Code of Iowa, federal law, and negotiated contracts.

Adopted: 2/01
Reviewed: 4/13; 12/16; 11/19; 3/23
Revised: 12/10; 11/11; 8/14
Related Policy: 300.1; 301.1; 303.1-3; 303.5-R; 304.1

In order to assist the superintendent in carrying out the responsibilities of their office and at the recommendation of the superintendent and building principals; the school board may appoint, as need is established, one or more associate/assistant principals to perform such duties as assigned by the building principal.

An associate/assistant principal must have the following qualifications:

1. A master’s degree from an accredited institution;
2. The necessary licensure requirements as required by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners; and
3. Sufficient educational background and experience to merit recommendation by the superintendent.

Associate/assistant principals will perform all the duties and activities as designated by the building principal and superintendent subject to the policies of the board, the Code of Iowa, federal law, and negotiated contracts.

The superintendent and building principal shall review the functions of the associate/assistant principals on an annual basis.

Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 4/13; 12/16; 11/19; 3/23
Revised: 12/10; 11/11; 8/14
Related Policy: 300.1; 301.1; 303.1-3; 304.1