Surrey Christian School System Principal/Superintendent Job Description November 30, 2010 Introduction The System Principal/Superintendent is the lead administrator of Surrey Christian School (SCS), and is directly accountable to the Board of Directors of the Surrey Christian School Society (Society). As a visionary leader, the System Principal/Superintendent advises the Board on policy, decision-making, and long range planning, and then as a skilled administrator implements those policies, decisions and plans, deploying staff and the community of volunteers available, along with the required financial resources. During the ongoing merger processes of the two constituent schools, the System Principal/Superintendent will continue to build bridges between campuses, and provide expertise and leadership in Board, administrative and other systems required to implement the merger over a multi-year basis. With a heart for Christ, a passion for Christian education, a desire for team synergy, and a mindset for servant leadership, the System Principal/Superintendent motivates, encourages, challenges, holds accountable, and empowers principals and senior administrators to be effective leaders in their own areas. As a skilled communicator, the System Principal/Superintendent shares the school s Pre-K-12 vision and educational philosophy with the staff and Society, the wider Christian community, the local community, and local and provincial governments. General Responsibilities 1. The System Principal/Superintendent desires to model a Christ like attitude and lifestyle, demonstrates sensitivity, compassion, patience, honesty and wisdom in all interactions with staff, students, parents, Society members, and other individuals. 2. The System Principal/Superintendent provides strategic high-level direction, recommends visionary goals to the Board, promotes those approved goals and diligently oversees the implementation of them. 3. The System Principal/Superintendent works with the Principals to ensure the delivery of a clearly articulated Christian worldview throughout the curriculum, delivered through three unique campuses for three unique age groups 4. As a gifted leader, the System Principal/Superintendent collaborates with and supervises a team of senior administrators, ensuring they effectively lead all other staff. 5. As an accomplished spokesperson for SCS, the System Principal/Superintendent effectively dialogues and communicates to senior administrative staff, the Board, Society members, outside agencies and government on all relevant matters. 6. The System Principal/Superintendent creates a context for innovation and boldly establishes the school s presence and impact within local and global contexts.
7. The System Principal/Superintendent builds upon and continues the merger processes that have occurred over the past two years. Looking for synergies, continuity and continuing improvements in programs, processes and policies across the three campuses, the System Principal/Superintendent promotes a full school vision and operation, working towards a seamless pre-k Grade 12 system. 8. The System Principal/Superintendent ensures the active and robust involvement of parents and other volunteers in the life of the school, in all available capacities. Specific Accountabilities In order to accomplish the general responsibilities listed above, the System Principal/Superintendent is specifically accountable for the following: Board Accountabilities 1. Serve as an advisor to the Board, and attend all meetings of the Board. 2. Serve as ex officio member with full voting privileges on any committee appointed by the Board, unless otherwise determined by the Board. 3. Oversee the development, implementation and review of policies as directed by the Board or as determined by senior school administrative staff, with all major school policies requiring Board approval. 4. Oversee the development, implementation and review of administrative procedures that effectively put into action school policies. 5. Oversee the enforcement of the constitution, bylaws and policies of the Society. 6. Provide a leadership role in conjunction with the Board, in the development, implementation and review of long-range plans for the Society and the schools operated by the Society. 7. Prepare regular management reports as directed by the Board. 8. Inform the Board of any staff appointments, promotions, demotions, terminations or other significant staffing issues. 9. Inform the Board of any major unplanned events occurring at a school campus or school event, which required significant and unusual administrative intervention. Staff Accountabilities 1. Develop recommendations to the Board in conjunction with other senior administrative staff, as to the number of personnel required in each area of responsibility to carry on the efficient and effective functioning of the school. 2. Hire campus principals or other senior administrative staff within guidelines established by the Board, with the hiring and dismissal of principals and other senior administrative staff being subject to Board approval. 3. Provide team leadership, coach, mentor, challenge, review, and ensure mutual accountability among the campus principals and other senior administrative staff, in order that they may be successful and effective in performing their own jobs.
4. Demonstrate significant team building with administrative team of principals and other senior administrative staff, ensuring meaningful dialogue, consultation and collaboration are part of the decision making process. 5. Oversee and in conjunction with principals or other senior administrative staff, the hiring of all other staff. 6. Develop and maintain a program of professional development and staff succession plan. 7. Ensure all principals on staff have a sound biblical understanding of teaching, learning, and Christian school curriculum before they are hired. 8. Oversee the development of compensation for all staff in conjunction with the administrative team and such advisory mechanisms that may be established from time to time, within the budgetary framework established by the Board. 9. Oversee and ensure that regular evaluation and performance review programs are in place for all employees, and be involved in all decisions regarding those staff whose performance review indicates significant issues requiring attention. 10. Oversee and ensure that an effective communications system is in place to inform all staff about major decisions made by the Board or by the administration team in order to ensure a healthy employer/employee climate. 11. Serve as an advisor, if required to any principal in discipline cases involving the suspension or expulsion of students when necessary for the good order of the school. Curriculum 12. Ensure that a systematic and continual process exists for campus principals and their staff to develop, evaluate, and improve curriculum, where said curriculum demonstrates a distinctively Biblical perspective. 13. Stimulate, challenge and encourage campus principals and their teaching staff to improve curriculum and promote academic excellence. 14. Oversee the communication to the school community of program highlights, educational accomplishments, curriculum developments, and new initiatives. Operations 1. Ensure regular and relevant financial reporting by the Director of Finance and Operations. 2. Oversee the work of the Director of Finance and Operations, in the operation of the campus and business offices; information technology; finance; building maintenance; and transportation services. 3. Develop in conjunction with the campus principals and senior administration staff, along with other ad hoc advisors or groups that may be established from time to time, the operating and capital budgets for presentation to the Board. 4. Develop in conjunction with the campus principals and Director of Finance and Operations, the plans and budgets for any major building or property renovations or expansions for presentation to the Board with the assistance as necessary of an ad hoc Construction Task Force.
5. Adhere to approved budgets, and present any anticipated overruns for approval to the Board prior to those budget overruns occurring. 6. Provide leadership and insight into long term financial planning and stability. 7. Oversee in conjunction with campus principals and the Director of Finance and Operations, the creation and maintenance of school wide database and other information technology systems, to facilitate the effective management of information using current technology. Community and Development 1. Oversee the admissions policy of the Society, ensuring fairness and Christian principles in its application. 2. Monitor enrollment trends, and seek to understand what is driving these trends. 3. Develop and implement, in conjunction with the Director of Development initiatives to increase enrollment in compliance with Board directives. 4. Oversee the exit interview process to ensure a thorough understanding of why families are choosing to leave the SCS system. 5. Identify and monitor in conjunction with campus principals and the Director of Development, those families who are at risk of leaving the SCS system, and where possible work to mitigate those risks. 6. Oversee and initiate where appropriate all school-wide correspondence and relationships. 7. Communicate to the school community through available media, of the purposes, accomplishments and needs of the school. 8. Foster good relations with internal school organizations, professional organizations, local churches, the public, and other educational agencies. 9. Ensure the development of a comprehensive development strategy that is intended to engage the wider Christian Community in order to achieve long term commitment and financial resources for SCS. 10. Promote the school to the broader Christian community. 11. Visit campuses on a regular basis. Be a physical presence in the campuses to establish rapport and visibility. Government 1. Ensure the compliance with all policies, regulations and requirements of the City of Surrey, the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada. Other 1. Act in the best interests of the school and the Board on issues not specifically defined in this document 2. Accept after consultation other job responsibilities assigned by the Board from time to time.
3. Review and if necessary modify this position description in conjunction with the Board at the time of every performance review, so that this position continues to meet Board goals for the position. Qualifications The candidate: A committed, imaginative and creative individual with a passion for and deep understanding of Christian education, and with a strongly rooted life of Christian faith and service, possessing a solid understanding of the integration of faith and learning in a pre-k-12 school context. A highly seasoned administrator with strong knowledge of governance, administration and change management. A recognized leader within a Christian community and be able to articulate a clear and powerful vision for Christian education. Communication and community building skills, along with the ability to provide guidance and advice to the Board, and leadership to staff of the newly merged school. An empowering, servant leadership management style, adept at building consensus, excitement and an energized staff and community. Minimum 7 years in a senior administrative/leadership position. A keen interest in and heart for Christian Education Strong educational background Relevant Masters degree preferred