Principal of St. Ann Catholic School

Description of Parish and School:
Founded in 1955, Saint Ann Catholic School was established to provide a quality Catholic education for the children of families in Morgan County Alabama. Surrounded by city streets, the School and Parish relocated in 2003, from Johnston Street to our new state of the art facility located at 3910 Spring Avenue, Decatur, Alabama, alongside Annunciation of the Lord Parish. Situated on 34 spacious acres, Saint Ann has been built with growth in mind and ample space to expand upon its mission. Saint Ann offers a classical liberal arts curriculum and recently completed development of a strategic plan for the school to guide its growth.

Position Summary:
The principal is responsible for ensuring that the principles of the Catholic faith are taught at his or her school. He or she leads the educational ministry at the school. The principal must support and expand the implementation of the school’s classical liberal arts curriculum. The goal of the principal is to ensure that the teachers at his or her school prepare and challenge students and families as disciples of Jesus through integral education rooted in Catholic heritage and Gospel values. The principal is to provide students with opportunities to develop moral and spiritual values based on the teachings of Jesus, ethical standards of conduct and basic personal integrity. The whole foundation of the Catholic school is to be like Jesus Christ. The school and the principal aim to provide a Christian perspective of a life centered on Jesus Christ, ensuring that students are Boldly Catholic, Academically Excellent, and Rooted in Truth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Ministerial Capacity:

Agree to fulfill the duties, responsibilities and services to the best of his or her ability in accordance with the Catholic philosophy of the school.
Comply with the rules and regulations of the Diocese, the Canons of the Catholic Church, and the Doctrine of the Catholic Church.
Serves as a model of his or her Catholic faith.
Ensures that teachers incorporate religious examples, symbols and values into their lessons.
Support and exemplify by his or her conduct Catholic Doctrine and morality. He or she must be consistent in expression and example, with the teachings and practices of the Catholic faith and shall not advocate, encourage or counsel beliefs or practices contrary to the Catholic faith.
Serve as a Catholic role model for other adults, youth and children.
Make sure that classrooms incorporate objects of the Catholic faith into the learning environment.
Ensure that the school maintains its Catholic identity.
Attend meetings and retreats where he or she will focus on the mission and goals of the school, social teachings of the Church doctrine and his or her ministry within the Church.
Provide for and oversee the faith formation of the faculty, students, and parents.
Ensure that the teachers include the Church’s teachings within the content/subject matter and in their students’ interactions with each other.
Educational Capacity:

·         Lead and support the growth and development of the school’s classical liberal arts curriculum

Supervise teachers at various times and at various functions. Conduct periodic informal classroom visits as well as formal classroom observations and annual evaluations.
Review teacher lesson and unit plans on a regular basis and provide feedback.
Provide for the professional development of all staff.
Evaluate non-teaching staff annually.
Ensure that all volunteers as well as paid faculty and staff are in compliance with state criminal background checks and Youth Protection training.
Oversee the assessment of the students’ progress through informal and formal forms of evaluation and assessment.
Prepare and submit required forms in a timely manner.
Keep the school advisory board and the pastor current on school activities as well as on problems.
Handle student discipline issues involving parents, students, and teachers. Follow procedures outlined in the parent/student and faculty handbooks. Consult the pastor and superintendent in serious disciplinary infractions.
Creates a culture of continuous improvement through collaborative goal-setting and continuous improvement plans
Leads and complies with accreditation processes
Operational Capacity:

Work with the pastor, local school board, and parish finance council in the preparation of the annual school budget. The budget should include teacher and support salaries and benefits, educational programs, and capital improvement projects
Responsible overseeing and approval of all daily financial matters (purchasing, payroll, etc.)
Participate in the recruitment and selection of qualified personnel
Implement Diocesan and local school policies
Oversee the school’s facility and maintenance needs
Community Relations Capacity:

Maintains open communication with all stakeholders
Communicates with parents proactively and in a timely fashion regarding school initiatives and events as well as individual communications
Promotes the school program within the larger community
Lead and facilitate implementation of the school’s strategic plan
Guide school fundraising efforts
Build and implement enrollment and retention management plans
Engage the Decatur community in the life of the school
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
A practicing Catholic who is able to fully participate in the Sacraments of the Church.
Demonstrates a willingness to participate in faith formation opportunities for continued growth and spiritual formation as part of the position.
Possesses a Masters degree or certification that qualifies him or her to be a principal.
Has the ability to work with faculty, staff and parents and the desire to help them grow and mature in their lives and Christian faith.
Has sufficient health and stamina to meet the demands of the position.
Maintains the certification required of a principal through the completion of courses.
Has an understanding of child/adolescent growth and development

Interested applicants are asked to email a completed Application for Employment, along with their resume and cover letter to Mrs. Margaret Dubose, Superintendent of Schools, at mdubose@bhmdiocese.org.