Deadline: July 17, 2026
District/Organization: Howell Public Schools
Position/Type: Elementary Principal – Assistant, full time
Salary: 109,156 – 121,387
Job Title: Principal – Elementary School
Reports To: Superintendent (or Designee, as appropriate)
Location: Hutchings Elementary School
FLSA Status: Exempt
FTE: 1.0
Union Affiliation: Howell Administrative Association (“HAA”)
HOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS VISION
Empowering students to be successful citizens.
ABOUT HOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Howell Public Schools is a dynamic and growing district committed to empowering students to be successful citizens. We are dedicated to building a collaborative culture where students experience belonging, academic rigor with support, and meaningful opportunities that prepare them for success beyond graduation. Guided by our Portrait of a Highlander, we strive to develop students through authentic experiences, strong relationship skills, social awareness, habits of mind, and responsible decision-making to ensure they are future ready for careers, college, and life.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The principal fosters a positive, student-centered learning environment focused on belonging, foundational learning, and the developmental needs of elementary learners. The principal helps create a school experience where students develop a love of learning, strong relationships, and confidence as learners. The principal serves as the instructional and cultural leader of the school and is responsible for the overall operation of the building, including the leadership and supervision of instructional programs, student supports, personnel, and building operations. In partnership with students, staff, families, and the community, the principal works to ensure high levels of learning, positive school culture, and meaningful experiences that support students’ academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and developmental growth during their foundational years of learning.
The successful candidate will be a visible and collaborative leader who values relationships, continuous improvement, and future-ready learning experiences for all students.
The successful candidate will:
- Create a safe, welcoming, and joyful learning environment for students.
- Build strong partnerships with families during students’ foundational years.
- Support early literacy, numeracy, and whole-child development.
- Foster a culture of care, belonging, and high expectations.
- Lead with visibility, empathy, and integrity.
- Support continuous improvement through collaboration and data-informed decision-making.
- Promote high expectations while ensuring systems of support for students and staff.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Instructional Leadership
- Provides leadership for continuous student growth and achievement.
- Fosters a positive school culture where students and staff feel connected, valued, supported, and challenged.
- Supports strong foundational literacy and numeracy instruction for all students.
- Leads continuous improvement in an MTSS framework through the use of student achievement, behavioral, and climate data.
- Supports instructional practices that promote strong foundational learning, student engagement, and future-ready learning experiences.
- Leads systems of intervention and support that address students’ academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs at an early stage.
- Promotes the development of the Portrait of a Highlander competencies through authentic and meaningful learning opportunities.
- Plans and facilitates staff meetings, professional learning communities (PLCs), and professional development.
- Supervises the development and implementation of curriculum, assessments, instructional best practices, and intervention systems.
- Maintains visibility throughout the school and actively engages with students, staff, and families.
- Communicates effectively with Central Office, administrative colleagues, staff, students, parents, and community members.
- Participates in district leadership meetings and collaborative planning processes.
- Stays current in instructional technology and models effective integration into teaching and learning.
- Supports school improvement planning and implementation.
- Understands, implements, and communicates all applicable state and federal mandates, including grant programming requirements.
- Maintains student educational records in compliance with district, state, and federal requirements.
Student Support and School Climate
- Demonstrates a deep understanding of child development and the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of elementary learners.
- Creates systems and opportunities that ensure students feel connected, supported, engaged, and safe.
- Promotes positive student behavior and a culture of honesty, empathy, accountability, respect, and teamwork.
- Supports opportunities that foster curiosity, creativity, student voice, leadership, and positive school experiences.
- Collaborates with district leaders and support staff to address student discipline and behavioral concerns when necessary.
- Creates systems that support early identification and intervention for student needs.
- Supervises the administration of district and state assessments.
Family and Community Engagement
- Establishes strong partnerships with families to support student success and development.
- Builds collaborative partnerships with families and the broader Howell community.
- Communicates regularly and effectively with all stakeholders.
- Attends school events, extracurricular activities, PTO meetings, and community functions.
- Represents the district and school in a professional and positive manner.
- Values the strong sense of community and connection that defines Howell Public Schools.
Building Operations and Resource Management
- Manages the daily operations of the school and supervises building procedures and systems.
- Maintains building budgets and oversees financial resources responsibly.
- Assesses building conditions and coordinates operational needs with district departments.
- Assumes responsibility for school safety, emergency preparedness, and required safety drills.
- Ensures a safe, orderly, and student-centered learning environment.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- In-person attendance is required.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, Administration, or Supervision or related field or an Educational Specialist degree from an accredited institution.
- Minimum of five years of exemplary experience in a K-12 school, preferably in administration.
- Possess or be eligible to receive a Michigan administrator’s certificate.
- Possess a valid Michigan teacher certificate.
QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS
- Demonstrated instructional leadership experience.
- Ability to analyze and utilize data to improve student outcomes.
- Knowledge of best practices in elementary education, child development, and foundational learning.
- Commitment to fostering environments of belonging, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
- Knowledge of early literacy and numeracy best practices.
- Understanding of developmental learning needs and intervention systems for young learners.
- Ability to build trust and lead with integrity, empathy, and professionalism.
- Experience leading school improvement initiatives.
- Knowledge of MTSS, intervention systems, and relational / restorative practices.
- Ability to recognize and support effective instructional practices.
- Experience with budgeting, school operations, and personnel supervision.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
- Knowledge of educational research, instructional technology, and emerging trends in education.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with students, staff, families, and community partners.
- Ability to apply and interpret labor agreements and resolve conflict effectively.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, walk and stand. The employee is occasionally required to bend and or twist at the trunk more than the average person. The employee is continuously repeating the same hand, arm or finger motion many times. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds such as books and teaching material. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision and the ability to adjust focus. The ability to travel to other buildings is required. The position requires the individual to sometimes work irregular or extended work hours and meet multiple demands from several people.
ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those 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. The noise level in the work environment is quiet to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day. Occasionally the employee may be required to be outdoors for a short period of time, and therefore subject to varying weather conditions, for purposes of accomplishing the essential functions of this job.
FUNCTIONS OF POSITION DESCRIPTION:
This position description has been prepared to define the general duties of the position, provide examples of work and to detail the required knowledge, skills and ability as well as the acceptable experience and training for the position. The description is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the duties of employees under supervision. The Howell Public School District retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from any portion of this description in its sole judgment.
This position description is not a contract for employment.
The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District.
The Howell Public School District is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
E-mail: [email protected]
