Elkhorn Public Schools is hiring two Elementary Principals for the 2025-2026 school year.  These principal positions will be for Westridge Elementary and Spring Ridge Elementary.

GENERAL SUMMARY AND QUALIFICATIONS

The Elementary Principal is the chief administrator of the elementary school and serves in both a leadership and management role to help foster a challenging and enriching environment that inspires students to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to become responsible citizens and lifelong learners. 

• Bachelors degree required. Masters degree required
• Must possess a Nebraska Administrative and Supervisory Certificate at all times during employment with such endorsements as required by NDE Rule 10 and all other required or assigned certification and training
• Clear a state criminal record check and a child abuse check
• Demonstrate dependability on the job (being punctual with regular, consistent attendance)
• Demonstrate positive attitude, school loyalty, cooperation, teamwork, and safety mindedness on the job
• Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of student information

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, WITH FREQUENCIES:

1. (C) Support student learning by providing executive leadership and administration that will motivate instructional and support personnel to strive for superior performance in order to provide the best opportunities for student growth and development; create a school climate which encourages a cooperating attitude from all teachers and students; maintain high standards for teacher and student behavior focused on mutual respect

2. (C) Exhibit exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, with a wide variety of audiences; teach and counsel students with varying academic and social abilities, effectively communicate with parents regarding student progress, develop positive working relationships with teachers and other school staff members, maintain cooperative relationships with local businesses and the community to help meet educational needs and further the interests of the District
3. (C) Demonstrate professionalism at all times, by serving as a role model to students, exercising good judgment, effectively collaborating with teachers and parents in a courteous and honest manner, conducting oneself according to the policies of the District and the Nebraska Board of Education, using appropriate methods to reinforce positive behaviors and resolve conflicts with students and other staff members
4. (C) Regular, dependable in person attendance on the job; the ability to perform the identified tasks and to possess and utilize the identified knowledge, skills, and abilities and to perform the identified work activities; the ability to perform the following identified physical requirements

 (Duties may vary by season or student grade levels; however, examples of typical performance responsibilities are listed below (not intended to be all-inclusive).  There may be other duties assigned to an Elementary Principal as part of fulfilling goals that support student learning.)

Performance Responsibilities/Job Tasks:

Educational Leadership

• Serve as the educational leader of the school and as a positive contributing member of the administrative team.
• Administer, as chief administrator, the development and maintenance of a positive educational program designed to meet the needs of all students and to carry out the policies of the Board of Education.
• Provide a leadership structure to ensure rules and instructions to school employees and students are in compliance with Board policy.
• Set or recommend educational standards and goals, including the minimum goal of maintaining accreditation, and recommend and implement policies and procedures to carry them out.
• Study and review with staff all curriculum guides and courses of study on a continuing basis. Recommend to the Superintendent, for Board adoption, curricula, courses, textbooks, the school calendar and time schedules.
• Prescribe rules for the classification and advancement of students in accordance with policies.
• Evaluate curricula, teaching methods, and programs to determine their effectiveness, efficiency and utilization, and to ensure that school activities comply with federal, state and local laws and regulations and Board policy or directives and implement changes as appropriate.
• Collaborate with the administrative team and teachers to develop and maintain curriculum standards, develop mission statements, and to set performance goals and objectives.
• Determine the scope of educational program offerings and prepare drafts of course schedules and descriptions to estimate staffing and facility requirements.
• Observe teaching methods and examine instructional materials in order to evaluate and standardize curricula and teaching techniques, and to determine areas where improvement is needed.
• Plan and develop instructional methods and content for educational, vocational, or student activity programs.
• Review and approve new programs, or recommend modifications to existing programs, submitting program proposals to the Superintendent for Board approval as necessary.
• Coordinate and direct extracurricular activities and programs, such as after-school events and athletic contests.
• Collect and analyze survey data, regulatory information, and data on demographic and employment trends to forecast enrollment patterns and curriculum change needs.
• Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities, policies, and student behavioral or learning problems.
• Counsel and provide guidance to students regarding personal, academic, vocational, or behavioral issues.
• Enforce discipline and attendance rules.
• Organize and direct committees of specialists, volunteers, and staff to provide technical and advisory assistance for programs.
• Teach classes or courses to students when necessary in the absence of teachers.
• Establish, coordinate, and oversee particular programs, such as programs to evaluate student academic achievement.
• Ensure completion of student assessments in accordance with Board policy and state and federal laws and regulations. Initiate program changes in light of such assessments.
• Ensure that the mission and goals of the school district are adequately reflected in the school’s educational program and operations.
• Ensure implementation of all board-approved curriculum and inclusion of state-mandated programs and curriculum content standards.
• Develop strategies to promote parental involvement in their children’s education and provide opportunities for parent-teacher interaction.
• Develop and maintain a positive, professional rapport with students and parents.

Relationship with Superintendent

• Attend and participate in Board meetings and its committees as requested by the Superintendent.
• Participate in special education-related activities, such as attending meetings and providing support to special educators throughout the district as requested by the Superintendent.
• Prepare and submit to the Superintendent and administrative team recommendations relative to all matters requiring Board action, placing before the Superintendent and administrative team such necessary and helpful facts, information, and reports as are needed to ensure the making of informed decisions.
• Submit to the Superintendent explanation of any proposed procedure that would involve either departure from established policy or the expenditure of substantial sums.
• Act on own discretion if emergency action is necessary in any matter not covered by Board policy, report such action to the Superintendent as soon as practicable, and recommend policy in order to provide guidance in the future.
• Make a continuous study of the development and needs of the school. Inform and advise the Superintendent about the programs, practices and challenges of the school.
• Keep informed of current curricular and educational trends and practices, as well as proposed legislation impacting the school district, and inform the Superintendent of significant developments in these areas.
• Provide long term planning to guide Board policy development, present recommendations for the adoption or revision of Board policies, communicate Board policies to personnel, students, and the public, and ensure through delegation to staff that all policies of the Board are implemented.
• Serve as a leader to assist the Superintendent to develop a vision for the school district and a comprehensive long-range plan. Recommend to the Superintendent, annually, district-wide goals and monitor and report on the progress toward achieving established goals.
• Confer periodically with professional and lay groups concerning the school programs and transmit to the Superintendent and administrative team suggestions gained from such conferences.
• Assist in planning, coordinating, and overseeing school logistics programs, such as bus and food services.
• Assist in reviewing and interpreting government codes and developing programs to ensure adherence to codes and facility safety, security, and maintenance.

Marginal Duties:

• May administer minor first aid
• May attend school functions outside of regular work hours such as musical performances, banquets, receptions, dances, athletic events or other school events, as required

JOB SPECIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Communication Skills
  • Active Listening – giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand what is being said, asking questions as appropriate, not interrupting. The ability to understand information presented through spoken words
  • Speaking – talking to others to convey information effectively. The ability to communicate information and ideas clearly
  • Oral Comprehension and Listening—The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
  • Writing – effectively communicating through written word. The ability to read and understand information presented in writing
• Instructing – teaching others how to do something
• Learning Strategies – selecting and implementing the appropriate instructional methods for the situation
• Monitoring – assessing the performance of self and students
• Time Management – managing one’s own time and the time of others
• Critical Thinking – using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions
• Reasoning – deductive reasoning, or the ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense; inductive reasoning – the ability to combine pieces of information to form conclusions
• Problem Solving – identifying problems, developing a strategy and implementing solutions
• Judgment and Decision Making – consider the pros and cons of a situation and choose the most appropriate course of action
• Negotiation – bringing people together and trying to reconcile differences