Middle School Principal

School Name: Harding Academy

School City and State: Searcy, Arkansas

School Website: www.hardingwildcats.com

Open Position Title: Middle School Principal

Date to Remove Job Post: May 17, 2025

Job Description: Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Harding Academy Middle School, including 5th-8th grades. Ensures educational standards are met by working with curriculum development and course descriptions. Provides safe and productive learning environment. Supports and participates in admission, enrollment, and retention initiatives. Manages extracurricular activities to provide or ensure proper supervision. Maintains accreditation and State Department of Education standards and requirements. Hires, trains, and supervises elementary teachers and office staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Serves as supervisor for instruction for 5th-8th grades. Works with superintendent and faculty in curriculum development, textbook selections, and course descriptions. Coordinates class schedules; approves field trips and departures from regular schedules; plans and/or directs Ocean Camp and other activities.

• Supervises teachers and office staff for 5th-8th grades. Oversees teacher certifications. Conducts orientation for new teachers; evaluates teachers and makes personnel decision recommendations.

• Manages student discipline. Works closely with superintendent to set policies for the elementary school. Maintains Student Handbook; ensures parents and students are aware of its contents. Assists teachers with discipline problems as needs arise. Maintains records and communication with parents and superintendent.

• Responsible for all extracurricular activities. Ensures proper supervision of all activities; personally attends functions, programs, athletic events, etc., unless superintendent or other designated administrator is present. Assumes responsibility for student involvement.

• Oversees maintenance needs of elementary facilities. Maintains contact with custodial staff; reports repairs needed to appropriate personnel.

• Maintains accreditation documentation and meets standards necessary for accreditation and State Department of Education requirements. Attends ANSAA, and NCSA meetings; completes reports as scheduled.

• Supervises middle school chapel and all middle school programs.

• Supports admission and retention of students. Serves on Admissions Committee; corresponds with parents of applicants. Supervises registration.

• Ensures proper and accurate maintenance of all student records.

• Makes recommendations to superintendent for setting school calendar.

• Supervises fire, tornado, and other safety drills.

• Ensures proper supervision of before and after school outside duty, and playground duty.

• Oversees student teachers and class observers in coordination with Harding University and the Department of Education.
  Serves with PFTA by attending board meetings and serving as facilitator for fundraising events.

QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires an individual to be a member in good standing of the church of Christ. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty at a fully acceptable level. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, and other behaviors required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Master's degree in education administration or related field; valid Arkansas teaching license; 2-3 years’ experience in school administration.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & OTHER

• Cooperation - Openly shares information, knowledge and expertise with co-workers and cooperates with other members to achieve the workgroup’s goals; puts the interest of the University/unit ahead of accomplishing individual goals.

• Service Orientation - Understands the perspective and requirements of the customer, both internal and external; does what it takes to serve the customer to meet or exceed their expectations and anticipates future needs of the customer.

• Dependability - Consistently takes responsibility for completing work on time and follows through on commitments; acts with integrity and trustworthiness. Available for work on a consistent and timely basis with infrequent unplanned absences.

• Confidentiality – Understands and respects University policy and state and federal regulations concerning the restrictions of information disclosure.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.

• Ability to plan and implement promotional programs.

• Ability to evaluate, design, and implement curriculum, testing, and/or teaching methodologies.

• Knowledge of appropriate discipline methods and ability to maintain health and positive school environment.

• Ability to plan and lead daily chapel.

• Effectively manage multiple budget lines.

• Skill in independent problem solving and ability to analyze situations and create action plans.

• Ability to display tact and courtesy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

May be subject to work environments that have exposure to weather or interiors with extremes of heat and/or cold, wet and/or humid conditions, and high noise levels.

May require periods of standing or walking, and the ability to lift objects.

Application Instructions: The application can be found here. https://www.harding.edu/about/offices-departments/hr/staff-jobs/