New Covenant Christian School is seeking an experienced Christian school administrator to lead our school into the future. The successful candidate will be a born-again Christian with proven teaching, leadership, and communication skills.
Position Overview: The Principal is responsible for the managerial, educational and public relations functions of New Covenant Christian School. He/she will supervise the day-to-day school operation and coordinate the physical, financial, and human resources in the school. He/she will foster conditions which will achieve the goals of the school and develop procedures and regulations for the implementation of the policies developed by the Church Elders and/or School Trustees. He/she will provide leadership to and supervision of all staff members and volunteers involved in this ministry. He/she will act on behalf of the Trustees in matters not specifically delegated to him/her that arise between meetings and submit such actions to the Trustees for ratification.
Qualifications: The Principal must be a born-again, Spirit-filled Christian who is in full agreement with our Statement of Faith and the mission, vision, and core values of New Covenant Christian Church and School. The Principal must have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary or Secondary Education, hold a valid Michigan teaching certificate (or be eligible to receive one shortly) and have had at least five years teaching experience in a Christian school. One or more years of formal Bible College or seminary training and two or more years in educational administration is preferred. A qualified candidate will have demonstrated leadership and speaking ability. He/she must conduct his/her personal life in an exemplary manner and be above reproach within and beyond the Christian community.
Accountability: The Principal will report directly to the Senior Pastor/designee and NCCS Board of Trustees. The Principal will be evaluated annually and cooperatively by the NCCC Elders and NCCS Board of Trustees.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- To be the spiritual and academic leader of the school and be responsible for the daily operations of all the day school programs of New Covenant Christian School.
- To carry up to a 40% classroom teaching load.
- To provide an environment for learning, centered in an essentially classical and Christian model and values, equipping teachers and staff for Christian excellence by:
-Serving as a Christian role model for school children and staff
-Positively communicating the school ministry as an extension of the congregational ministry
-Effectively communicating and interacting with school staff, Trustees, and other auxiliary (parent and congregational) groups - To lead, guide, develop and motivate school staff. Responsibilities include assessing staff needs, developing job descriptions, working with the Trustees in recruiting and hiring, negotiating contracts, coaching, documenting and conducting annual performance evaluations.
- To create and communicate an enthusiastic mission and vision to the congregation and local community.
- To develop and nurture positive relationships with school parents, students, staff and the congregation. To identify outreach opportunities within the community. To develop and implement action plans in these areas.
- To be alert to the concerns of Elders, Trustees, Staff, Parents, & Students and work to address them quickly.
- To attend all Trustee meetings, report on all aspects of the school, and implement the policies of the Board of Trustees.
- To create a positive atmosphere of Christian discipline and development to students and staff.
- To prepare, in concert with the School Trustees and Church and School Business Administrator, the annual school budget for presentation to the Elders, and manage the finances according to the approved budget.
- To insure legal compliance to state and insurance requirements, contracts and student files.
- To communicate and execute church and school policies and procedures to school staff, parents and students as appropriate.
- To lead staff in curriculum development to ensure a classical and Christian foundation with academic excellence.
- To develop and execute, through the Board of Trustees, a plan to retain current students and increase enrollment by recruiting new students.
- To develop and execute, through the Board of Trustees, a plan to increase and promote financial stability through Spirit-led strategic budget planning and “friend-raising”.
Job Description Details:
a. Spiritual Oversight and Responsibilities:
- To seek the Lord for His wisdom regarding current issues and future directions.
- To hold daily staff prayer and devotional meetings.
- To ensure that spiritual growth is encouraged through a comprehensive Bible curriculum, Chapel program, spiritual leadership development, and prayer.
- To ensure the integration of Biblical principles throughout the curriculum and all extra-curricular activities.
- To provide opportunities for students to serve and develop their spiritual gifts.
- To model in speech, actions, and attitude, a consistent daily walk with Jesus Christ.
- To show by example the importance of the Word of God, prayer, fellowship, and Christian service.
- To follow the Matthew 18 principle in dealing with students, parents, administration, and staff.
- To recognize that parents have the primary responsibility before God for their children’s education and to assist them in that task.
- To help students understand God’s love for them, to motivate them to receive all He has for them, and to help them grow in their faith and “mine” the gold God has deposited in each one of them.
b. Professional Responsibilities
- To utilize educational opportunities and evaluation processes for professional growth.
- To seek the counsel of the Superintendent, Pastor, colleagues, Trustees, and parents in order to grow professionally.
- To provide input and recommendations to the administration regarding the effective operation of the school.
- To attend and participate in scheduled devotional, committee, faculty, and P.T.F. meetings.
- To provide information to the Trustees regarding trends in education, enrollment, and achievement.
- To keep informed of trends in secular and Christian education locally, nationally, and internationally.
- To serve as an educational consultant to the Elders and Board of Trustees by providing pertinent information and counsel on any of the school’s educational challenges or procedures.
- To lead the faculty in identifying and solving the school’s educational challenges.
- To analyze results from standardized testing and make recommendations for appropriate actions as needed.
- To ensure that all programs are regularly evaluated and recommend changes as needed.
- To ensure that all textbooks are regularly evaluated and recommend changes as needed.
c. Personnel Administration
- To carefully assess and inform the Board regarding Staffing needs.
- To take the leading role in recruiting qualified people to fill available positions.
- To make annual written recommendations to the Board regarding rehiring, dismissals, or conditions of continued employment for present Staff.
- To ensure that all Staff have complete, current contracts.
- To promote and provide for the professional development of staff and faculty.
- To represent the Staff to the Trustees and Elders and the Trustees and Elders to the Staff.
- To foster harmonious Staff relationships and address any grievances.
- To be responsible for the health and safety of staff and students during all school events.
- To make frequent visits to all school-time settings for the purpose of observation and participation.
- To supervise all faculty and staff to ensure that their responsibilities are fulfilled efficiently and effectively and to provide counsel and assistance as needed.
- To ensure that all Staff are formally evaluated in accordance with Trustee Policy.
d. Curriculum and Instruction
- To be familiar with the entire curriculum of the school.
- To ensure that the academic and co-curricular programs are sound and continuously improving.
- To ensure that the school has the equipment and supplies needed for its programs.
- To lead weekly staff meetings for information, feedback, planning and evaluation of programs, procedures, and students.
- To implement a program of standardized testing.
- To see that scheduling is done for optimal use of Staff and facilities.
- To ensure that all students under school care are supervised at all times.
- To ensure that student records are properly maintained and up-to-date.
- To ensure that our students are disciplined in a consistent and fair manner in accordance with Trustee Policy and Biblical principles.
- To ensure that all field trips are carefully planned and adequately supervised.
- To ensure that student outreach activities are carefully planned and adequately supervised.
e. Finance and Facilities
- To present to the Board a proposed balanced budget for the upcoming year in time for its January meeting.
- To ensure that all government forms relevant to the operation of the school are completed as required.
- To ensure that procedures for purchasing are followed.
- To supervise all expenditures to ensure that they are within the budget.
- To inform the Elders and Trustees about exceptional needs or cost overruns.
- To help with fundraising for the annual budget and for capital improvements.
- To present an annual recommendation to the Board for the improvement of the staff salaries and benefits.
- To present annual recommendations to the Board for tuition changes.
- To ensure that an up-to-date video inventory of all equipment and supplies is maintained.
- To see that the buildings, vehicles, and equipment needs are reported and repaired as needed for efficient operation and safety.
f. Public Relations
- To know the students and parents.
- To represent the school and Christian Education at appropriate public functions.
- To present the concerns and priorities of Christian Education to government officials at meetings and by phone, letter, or email.
- To foster growing relationships with all participating and potential local churches.
- To present the case for Christian Education to the public through the media when appropriate.
- To superintend home and school communication.
- To maintain a program for interpreting the school to its alumni and supporters.
- To maintain a program for interpreting the school to the general public.
- To establish and to keep right relationships with the government agencies to which the school is responsible.
- To maintain an active relationship with Christian school organizations on the state, regional, and national levels.
To Apply:
Applicants should send their resume, a personal testimony, and a short essay about their philosophy of education (approximately 500 words) to bhazeltine@gmail.com.