Mt Judea K-12 Principal

Job Description:

School Principal

Position Title: K-12

Location: Deer, Arkansas

Reports To: District Superintendent

Position Type: Full-Time, 210–240 Day Contract

The School Principal serves as both the instructional leader and administrative head of the school. The applicant must be a hands‑on leader who fosters a close‑knit, supportive school culture while fiercely driving academic excellence. Deer School is part of the Deer/Mt Judea school district and due to the small student population, both campuses often serve as the hub of their communities;

the principal must excel at building strong relationships with local families, optimizing limited resources, and wearing multiple hats—from master scheduler to community liaison.

The Principal is directly responsible for daily operations, teacher evaluation, student safety, and ensuring strict compliance with the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) regulations.

• Guaranteed & Viable Curriculum: Ensure all instructional practices and curricula are tightly aligned with Arkansas Academic Standards and district priorities.
• Data-Driven Instruction: Lead collaborative teacher teams to analyze student performance data (including ATLAS assessments) to implement remediation and enrichment programs.
• Teacher Coaching & Evaluation: Conduct classroom observations and provide actionable feedback using the state-approved platform under the Arkansas Educator Effectiveness and Licensure guidelines. Ensure each professional staff member develops a meaningful Professional Growth Plan (PGP).

• Optimizing Resources: Creatively manage and allocate limited fiscal, physical, and technological resources to ensure equitable student support.
• Master Scheduling: Establish a student-focused master schedule that maximizes quality instructional time and accommodates necessary remediation, elective pathways, or career/technical education (CTE).
• Safety & Crisis Management: Develop, maintain, and document comprehensive school safety plans and regular emergency drills in compliance with Arkansas state law, ensuring a safe and orderly facility.
• Operational Oversight: Directly monitor or coordinate non-classroom areas, including school bus loading/unloading, cafeteria logistics, and facility maintenance (crucial in rural areas with expansive geographic footprints).

• Parent & Family Engagement: Implement and maintain the state-required Parent and Family Engagement Plan
  , fostering regular, two-way meaningful communication between the school and rural households.
• Community Hub Relations: Act as the visible "face of the school," cultivating partnerships with local businesses, agricultural organizations, and community resource agencies to support school initiatives.
• Positive School Climate: Cultivate a safe, inclusive, and trusting school culture with high behavioral and academic expectations for all students.

• Code of Ethics: Model the highest standard of ethical and professional behavior, strictly adhering to the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators
  .
• Reporting: Accurately complete and submit all required data, funding reports, and regulatory documentation to the Superintendent and the ADE in a timely fashion.
• Policy Enforcement: Administer student discipline and attendance policies fairly, consistently, and in accordance with due process and state regulations.

• Deep knowledge of Arkansas educational laws, graduation requirements, and state assessment systems.
• Demonstrated ability to build a system of distributed/shared leadership among a small faculty.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to address diverse audiences including staff, parents, board members, and local media.
• Resilience, flexibility, and strong problem‑solving skills to manage the unique constraints of rural education (e.g., staffing shortages, funding limitations, geographic isolation).
• Empathy, patience, and a deep commitment to placing children at the center of all decision-making.

• Education: Master’s degree or higher in Educational Leadership or Education Administration from an accredited institution.
• Licensure: Must hold (or be eligible for) a valid Arkansas Building-Level Administrator License (P-12, K-6, or 4-12 as applicable) issued by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
• Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years of successful classroom teaching experience (experience in Arkansas public schools preferred).
• Previous experience in school leadership (Assistant Principal, instructional coach, or department chair) is highly preferred.
• Background: Must clear all required state and federal criminal background checks and child maltreatment registry checks.