FRAMINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Harmony Grove Elementary School

TITLE:

Principal 

POSITION SUMMARY:

Framingham Public Schools is inviting highly-qualified candidates to apply for the incredible opportunity to lead one of our Two-Way Portuguese schools as our next Principal of the Harmony Grove Elementary School. 

ABOUT HARMONY GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:

The Harmony Grove Elementary School enthusiastically welcomes professionals who thrive in a diverse environment, emphasizing the importance of strong, positive relationships with students, staff, families, and community. This is a school that celebrates the diversity of our student body through 12 Portuguese Dual Language classrooms, 11 Sheltered English Immersion classrooms. Harmony Grove educates approximately 470 students from Kindergarten through grade 5. The student population is comprised of approximately 85.1% of students whose first language is not English, 74.4% of students who are emergent bilinguals, 11.5% are students with disabilities and 96.6% of students are designated as high needs. Harmony Grove students are supported by two Vice Principals, a part time Team Evaluation Coordinator, and a robust support staff including full time Literacy, Math, Social Emotional Behavioral, and English Language Development coaches as well as three Social Workers, a Wrap Around Coordinator, as well as fulltime Reading and Math teachers.

OUR MISSION:

Framingham Public Schools is committed to excellence for all students. Our mission statement guides our work: Through a comprehensive education, we aim to create and empower free-thinking, responsible citizens who can participate equally in our rich and diverse community. FPS and the community stand united in our core values: Providing a safe, inclusive, culturally responsive teaching and learning environment; Engaging antiracist and responsible civic advocates; Respecting diversity of thought, learners, cultures, and community; Fostering learning and healthy growth of all students and staff; Ensuring every school will be an active, participatory, equitable community.

Diversity among teachers undoubtedly advances the academic achievement of students. Compliance obligations establish a baseline which we seek to exceed. As a district, Framingham Public Schools is committed to achieving, developing, and maintaining a workforce reflective of the rich racial, linguistic, and cultural diversity of our students. Framingham Public Schools aims to teach our children, and ourselves, to be culturally proficient and inclusive in order to live, learn, and work together in a vibrant and diverse world.  

Indeed, Framingham Public Schools is committed to inspiring our school community to be accepting and willing to learn from individuals with differing backgrounds. Our goal is to reflect the diverse community we serve and create a great place to work for everyone by embracing the individual skills, perspectives, and experiences our people bring to the workplace and harnessing these for high performance and improved service delivery. We want our employees to feel included, valued, and respected and have access to equal opportunity, which supports full participation at work. Framingham Public Schools seeks to retain the diverse talent in our workforce and support our people to maintain a long and productive working career.

Framingham Public Schools is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from persons with disabilities and who identify as members of historically underrepresented groups.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

The successful candidate should possess exceptional communication and leadership abilities, with previous classroom experience being a valuable asset. A minimum of three years of experience as a school administrator is strongly preferred. Additionally, a valid Massachusetts K-5 Principal license (and Administrative SEI Endorsement) and a master's degree in Education or a related field are essential prerequisites for this position.

Framingham Public Schools seeks candidates whose background, teaching, or service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of education. Also, we are interested in candidates who will bring to their professional practice the perspective that comes from a nontraditional educational background or an understanding of the experiences of those underrepresented in the educational field.

Framingham Public Schools will offer a competitive contract and annual salary in the range of $115,000-$135,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience, along with a generous benefits package.

The review of applications will begin at the end of March 2024. The expected start date for the new Principal is July 1, 2024. 

For more information, please contact: Patricia Vedana, Talent Acquisition Manager

SKILLS AND ABILITY:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty 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.

Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in the educational field; to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form; to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups including staff, parents and the general public; to read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and governmental regulations; to write reports and correspondence, as needed; to use reasoning ability to evaluate information and determine/recommend an appropriate course of action; to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to use professional literature, evidence-based research, and continuing education content to make practice decision; to analyze various data points to make intentional action plans that are progress monitored; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, staff and the community; to work independently, prioritize tasks and manage several projects simultaneously; to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements, state and federal laws, and Framingham Public Schools policies (as long as the policies do not conflict with the Framingham Teachers Association (Unit A) Contract); to work with students of diverse backgrounds with diverse needs in an equitable and inclusive manner that bears to witness to cultural proficiency; to maintain appropriate confidential records; to react professionally and objectively to unpredictable situations (e.g. environmental changes, behavior/aggression, seizure activity, etc.); to create an inclusive environment that fosters a sense of belonging; to operate and/or acquire skills to operate a computer and related software including but not limited to Google; and ability/willingness to plan, coordinate, conduct and participate in ongoing professional and staff development. Strong data-collection skills to help to inform decisions for students. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Strong organizational skills to balance the demands of a multi-tasking position. A proactive and solution-focused approach to meeting student needs. Knowledge of specialized content area as well as any related laws and procedures.  Ability to facilitate the planning and implementation of  lessons based on district and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom they are assigned; and to use instructional technology appropriately and work with students to facilitate their use of instructional technology. Have excellent integrity and demonstrate good moral character and initiative. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING:

Supervises and directs the school’s instructional program in collaboration with various departments in Central Administration.

Provides leadership on the adoption and execution of the general program to meet needs of the community and the students assigned to the school.

Participates on system-wide committees for the advancement of the educational program.

Establishes and maintains favorable relationships with community groups, businesses, parents, and individuals to promote school objectives.

Provides leadership in collaboration with Central Administration in the formulation of curriculum and objectives for the school program.

Is the key advocate for elementary schools education with the Central Administration.

Ensures a positive school climate through identification of issues and in the development of appropriate programs.

STUDENT SUPERVISION:

Monitors and interacts with students and their families regarding academic, social, and emotional issues.

Supervises the maintenance of accurate records on the progress and attendance of students.

Develops and administers policies on student behavior and serves as or designates a hearing officer for serious disciplinary actions.

Participates in the team evaluation process.

Fosters a sense of belonging for all students. 

Creates an inclusive environment that do

Coordinates student activity programs, field trips, and other school activities as necessary.

Participates in parent meetings and conferences and acts as an intermediary between parents, teachers, and students to deal with a variety of needs or concerns. 

Resolves individual student problems.

Analyzes a variety of data points to create intentional action plans/interventions for students that are progress monitored. 

STAFF SUPERVISION:

Supervises, directs and evaluates all members of the faculty and staff.

Hires and assigns all building staff with the concurrence of the Superintendent.

Coordinates staff development activities in alignment with the District Strategic Plan.

Conducts staff meetings and participates with staff in problem-solving school issues.

Provides regular feedback regarding the quality of teaching and learning to staff. 

ADMINISTRATION:

Coordinates special services and schedules for faculty and various ancillary staff serving the school.

Keeps informed on the latest trends and developments in education and school operations.

Develops school based benchmarks with Central Administration and monitors the progress toward those benchmarks. 

Prepares reports, records, and lists appropriate to the school’s administration.

Interprets and enforces district and school policies and administrative regulations.

Supervises the development and administration of the school safety plan.

Informs the Central Administration of school activities and programs.

Prepares and submits school budget and monitors expenditures.

Provides leadership as co-chair of the School Council.

Performs other comparable duties of a like or similar nature apparent or as assigned.

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to move about and may be required to traverse occasionally throughout the school building. The employee must also often remain in a stationary position for considerable periods of time. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is expected to lift at least 20 lbs (i.e. books, school supplies, etc.). The employee must frequently use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and use hand strength to grasp tools. Occasionally s/he operates a computer and other office productivity machinery (i.e., a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer). The employee must be able to input information into a computer and as well as read material from a computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter with or without visual aids. The employee must be able to communicate effectively with students, parents, and other staff members in person and on the telephone. In the classroom, the employee must be able to see and hear on a continuous basis in order to ensure the safety of students as well as speak frequently to provide instruction. On rare occasions, it may be necessary to move quickly across even or uneven surfaces. The employee will be working in a normal school environment with an acceptable level of noise. The employee interacts with students, parents, and other staff members. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and work output of students. This position can require some degree of physical interaction with students who have difficulty controlling physical behavior.

REPORTS TO:  

Superintendent of Schools and/or designee(s)

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

All Harmony Grove Elementary School staff.

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA) CLASSIFICATION:

This position is classified as Exempt (Professional).

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Twelve-month (full year) position in accordance with a personal services contract executed between the Principal and the School Committee.

Framingham Public Schools provides equal employment. opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Framingham Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the District has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Framingham Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

Rev. 2024