PRINCIPAL en Rowan-Salisbury Schools

Rowan-Salisbury Schools - Principal Job Description

Position Title: Principal

Reports To: Superintendent and Executive Director of Schools

Term of Employment: 12 months

Position Overview

The Principal serves as the instructional, cultural, and organizational leader of the school, ensuring high levels of learning and well-being for all students. Guided by the Rowan-Salisbury Schools Strategic Plan and aligned to the North Carolina School Executive Standards, the Principal establishes a shared vision, cultivates talent, ensures operational effectiveness, and fosters innovative, inquiry-based learning environments that prepare students for success in an evolving 21st-century world.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Develops, communicates, and sustains a compelling school vision and mission aligned to district priorities, student mastery, and future-ready skill development.
  
  
• Leads collaborative processes to set, monitor, and revise strategic goals using qualitative and quantitative data.
  
  
• Drives systematic improvement efforts that challenge the status quo and result in better outcomes for all students.
  
  
• Ensures the school’s core values and goals serve as the foundation for decision-making and school culture.

2. Instructional Leadership

• Implements and monitors high-quality, standards-aligned instruction grounded in inquiry-based and personalized learning.
  
  
• Supports teachers in designing engaging, authentic learning experiences and provides actionable authentic feedback to improve practice.
  
  
• Analyzes student data to ensure progress toward mastery across disciplines.
  
  
• Allocates time and structures to support Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and teacher collaboration.

3. Cultural & Equity Leadership

• Creates a safe, inclusive, and affirming school culture rooted in RSS values: Honor, Include, Innovate, Execute, Serve.
  
  
• Elevates student voice and ensures each student has an identified adult advocate.
  
  
• Promotes celebrations of diversity, belonging, and equitable access to learning opportunities.
  
  
• Models high expectations, professionalism, and ethical leadership.

4. Human Capital & Talent Development

• Recruits, retains, and develops high-quality teachers and staff.
  
  
• Conducts evaluations in accordance with state requirements and uses coaching strategies that build teacher capacity.
  
  
• Identifies and empowers teacher leaders; supports distributed leadership structures.
  
  
• Creates a positive work environment where staff well-being is prioritized.

5. School Operations & Organizational Management

• Ensures effective, efficient, and safe school operations, including safety protocols, scheduling, budgeting, facilities, and compliance.
  
  
• Manages resources responsibly, aligning with district expectations for strong organizational foundations.
  
  
• Uses data systems and operational structures to ensure transparency, accuracy, and continuous improvement.

6. Community Engagement & Communication

• Builds strong relationships with students, families, staff, and community partners.
  
  
• Communicates effectively, transparently, and consistently with all school stakeholders.
  
  
• Engages parents and caregivers as partners in student learning and school improvement.
  
  
• Represents the school positively and collaborates with district leaders and external organizations.

7. Wellness Leadership

• Prioritizes the well-being of students, staff, and the school community.
  
  
• Implements proactive practices that support mental health, safety, and a positive school climate.
  
  
• Leads efforts that foster resilience, balance, and a culture of care.

Qualifications

Required

• Valid North Carolina Principal License.
  
  
• Successful teaching experience and prior leadership experience.
  
  
• Demonstrated effectiveness in instructional leadership, collaboration, and communication.

Preferred

• Experience leading innovative learning environments.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Deep understanding of North Carolina School Executive Standards and evaluation processes.
  
  
• Ability to lead change, inspire stakeholders, and maintain focus on strategic goals.
  
  
• Skill in data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
  
  
• Commitment to equity, student agency, and inclusive school culture.
  
  
• Excellence in conflict resolution, cultural responsiveness, and ethical leadership.

Working Conditions

• School-based setting with district and community commitments.
  
  
• Frequent interactions with students, staff, families, and partners.
  
  
• Extended hours as needed to support school functions and responsibilities.

Physical Requirements

• Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment including computers, copiers, calculators, cell phones, etc.
  
  
• Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle and hold a NC driver’s license.
  
  
• Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, and pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
  
  
• Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.

DISCLAIMER
 

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees