Principal, St. Thomas School

Principal, St. Thomas School

Position:

Principal

Job ID:

1204

County:

Region 2 - Sioux Falls Metro

Posted:

March 21, 2024

Contact Information:

St. Thomas School

401 N Van Epps

Madison, SD 57042

District Website

Contact:

Fr. Anthony Urban

Phone: 605-256-2304

Fax:

District Email

Job Description:

Job Description-School Principal

Position Title: Principal of Saint Thomas Aquinas School

Position Category: Ministerial

Position Status: Full Time

Immediate Supervisor: Rev. Anthony Urban

Department: Administrative

General Introduction:

The Bishop of Sioux Falls is the visible head and source of unity in the particular Church

entrusted to his pastoral care (CCC 1594). In a unique and visible way, he makes Christ's

mission present and enduring while functioning in his role as a Shepherd of the Christian

Community. In order to fulfill his mission, the Bishop trusts chosen collaborators (clerics,

religious, and lay people) to share in the apostolic mission and entrusts various responsibilities to

them. Each employee helps extend the local Pastor's ministry in particular ways as outlined in

this position description.

Position Summary:

This position provides the oversight of teachers, staff, and students of Saint Thomas School through strong leadership and personal witness. An essential part of this position includes communicating with the pastor of the parish about the Catholic identity of the school and striving towards forming staff and students in their faith in Jesus Christ. Another essential part is overseeing the day-to-day operations of the school including providing guidance to teachers, assisting students and families through IEPs, evaluating teachers, maintaining accreditation through South Dakota Department of Education, and communicating with parents about concerns in their child's academic progress or behavior issues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Promote a faith-based school community that is grounded in Catholic traditions and practices.

• Communicate with the pastor about hiring, finances, his participation in the school through the weekly celebration of Mass and the sacrament of Penance for school students.

• Communicate with parish finance council about annual budget and the status of the school building and needed/desired improvements.

• Communicating with the director of Catholic Schools about diocesan standards for Catholic schools.

• Collaborating with the Director of Discipleship and Evangelization at the pastorate level for sacramental preparation for second graders preparing for 1st Confession and 1st Holy Communion.

• Participating in the School Advisory Board and recruiting new members when terms conclude.

• Plan and coordinate faculty/staff meetings and professional development.

• Foster an atmosphere of rigorous academic standards and achievement for all.

• Process accreditation paperwork as needed.

• Approve bills for payment.

• Work with the school secretary and bookkeeper to produce a monthly newsletter.

Routinely observe, coach and evaluate teachers.

• Maintaining Safe Environment participation of staff and circle of grace formation for students.

• Maintaining Safe Environment participation of staff and circle of grace formation for students.

• Assisting in assessments for future Kindergarten students.

• Set high standards for student behavior with clear and fair guidelines consistent with Catholic values.

• Communicating with teachers and parent about student progress when students are falling behind in their education.

• Communicating with teachers, students, and parents when student behavior requires an intervention.

• Attend meetings and participate in professional development programs offered by the Catholic Schools Office.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Background in Education with teaching experience

• Hold administrative certification, equivalent degree, or are currently working towards certification.

• Effective communication with staff, students, and parents.

Job Conditions/Physical Demands:

The following are representative of the physical capabilities that must be met by an employee

and the working conditions that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions

of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to

perform the essential functions.

• Ability to push, pull, lift, and carry items up to 30 pounds.

• Ability to sit, stand, bend, stoop, climb stairs, talk, hear, grasp, reach and perform

repetitive motions of the fingers, hands, and wrists.

• Vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust

focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee

encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee will work with a

large number of individuals, often requiring multitasking and working with deadlines and details

to ensure all the essential functions are performed in a timely and courteous manner.

Other:

St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School Principal Search

St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in Madison, South Dakota, strives to employ a principal whose response to God's invitation is to lead staff and students within a Catholic educational setting. This leader is expected to possess knowledge of Catholic education, adhere to the mission, and embrace the vision of the school. The principal must be a practicing Catholic and serve as a joyful role model to the St. Thomas parish community.

The principal is the public leader of the school and therefore, must be comfortable speaking publicly and communicating the vision of Catholic education effectively. The principal will oversee the school's organization and administration. Together with staff, the principal manages and attends to the day-to-day operations of the school.

Principals in the Diocese of Sioux Falls shall be practicing Catholics who uphold the teaching of the faith and are committed to Catholic education that is academically excellent and rooted in Gospel values. Qualified candidates should be certified in Catholic School Leadership or willing to attain certification in no more than three (3) years after date of hire and hold a Master's degree from an accredited institution in educational administration, curriculum development or an approved related educational field. Candidates must possess or be eligible for a South Dakota educational administration certification.

Apply Here

For more information, contact Fr. Anthony Urban, franthonyurban@sfcatholic.org