3.2 - Headmaster Job Description

SERIES 3 - ADMINISTRATION

General

The Headmaster is accountable to the Board of Directors of LCS as the authority in charge of (1) leadership, (2) educational mentoring, (3) school and staff management, and (4) the finances of the charter school. The Headmaster is employed at-will and is the executive decision-maker for the operation of the school, and is ultimately responsible for the success of the education of the pupils in accordance with the principles established in the charter document and the vision of the Board of Directors. The Headmaster's resources are a faculty of professional teachers and classroom aides, and a small administrative staff. The Headmaster will also take advantage of volunteer staff organized in boards and committees. The following expands on the four main areas of responsibility previously introduced.

Leadership

Leadership consists of communicating and implementing the mission of the school as the team leader, fostering the school charter, and sharing it with faculty, staff, parents, and with the community. For example, the Headmaster is expected to:

• adopt and promote the vision of the Board of Directors and the principles of the Charter
• motivate and unify staff and faculty in a non-threatening environment
• liaise with stakeholders as the school's advocate
• mediate communication among Board of Directors, faculty, staff, and parents
• interpret the school to the community soliciting creative participation and beneficial relationships
• Promote Liberty Common School and charter schools in general at the state-level through appropriate state-level organizations
• foster collegiality among staff by cultivating and rewarding individual contribution

Educational Mentoring

Educational mentoring consists of coaching and supervising the educational environment of the school with particular attention to the implementation of the school's curriculum. For example, the Headmaster is expected to:

• assure that the curriculum and its delivery is academically sound and consistent with the Core Knowledge sequence (K-8) and college preparatory expectations (9-12)
• assure that teaching methods and contents are consistent with the philosophy of the school
• assure the values of a democratic society are taught in appropriate and sanctioned ways
• assure skills of learning and habits of mind are taught in a manner consistent with the school charter
• plan for the academic and professional growth of faculty
• interview for and appoint department heads
• keep informed of current trends in education
• act as an educational consultant to the Board of Directors
• be the guarantor of proficiency testing for the students
• be involved with students' academic progress
• support academic awareness among students and families
• recognize achievement
• provide coaching and expertise to staff that facilitates effective delivery of the total educational program

School and Staff Management

School and staff management consists of providing direction to and evaluation of students, faculty, and staff. For example, the Headmaster is expected to:

• manage physical resources
• oversee, guide and mentor the Principals at the elementary and high school campuses
• recruit and recommend paid staff positions to the Board of Directors
• evaluate personnel performance
• facilitate conflict resolution
• be responsible for abiding by and maintaining compliance with all relevant legal statutes pertaining to school operations
• be responsible for after-school and extra-curricular activities
• work closely with parent groups and committees
• recommend corrective action to address recognized problems
• initiate and supervise disciplinary procedures

Finances

To assume a supervisory and directing role for the monetary obligations of the school. The Headmaster is expected to:

• lead the development and implementation of the annual budget
• authorize extraordinary expenditures
• oversee and approve employee, service and maintenance contract stipulations through appropriate delegation via the Financial Operations Manager
• review monthly the ordinary administration of the school and the implementation of the budgets
• review annually the financial performance of the school
• oversee and approve all fund-raising efforts
• supervise Financial Operations Manager
• perform duties of the Financial Operations Manager in the event that the position is not filled by another individual Minimum Job Requirements
• Master's degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Three to five years of classroom teaching experience or applicable professional experience
• Experience in educational management or administration
• Experience in developing and implementing organizational budgets
• Management/supervision experience Other Desired Characteristics
• Knowledge of Core Knowledge Curriculum including sequencing and teaching
• Experience/knowledge of entrepreneurial education systems
• Experience/knowledge of developing instructional curriculum

Adopted: 12-03-2011
Amended: 09-21-2017