7425 - School Administrators Contracts ## School Administrator Contracts
The board recognizes that an effective staff is critical to the smooth operations of the school district and to creating a learning environment in which students can succeed. The board further believes that students will not excel in performance unless those who most directly affect students, including school administrators, teachers and other licensed professionals, excel in their performance. For the purposes of this policy, the term “school administrator” is defined as a principal, assistant principal, supervisor, or director whose major function includes the supervision of teaching or any other part of the instructional program.
School administrator contracts will be granted, extended or renewed only for individuals of proven ability who strive for excellence. School administrators should be able to demonstrate student learning, effectiveness in carrying out the responsibility of providing for school safety, and enforcing student discipline. The superintendent is expected to be able to substantiate any recommendation for granting a new contract, extending a current contract or renewing a contract with evaluation data, as described in board policy 7815 Evaluation of Licensed Employees, or with regard to applicants, with data from the selection process as provided in board policy 7100 Recruitment and Selection of Personnel. If the board is not satisfied that an applicant or employee has met the standards established by the board, employment will be denied, following statutorily prescribed procedures.
Initial contracts between a school administrator and the board will be for a term of two to four years. Four-year initial contracts will be granted only to exemplary school administrators. Absent unusual circumstances, two-year initial contracts will be granted for individuals who do not have experience as school administrators. In addition, one- year contracts may be granted to individuals who hold a provisional assistant principal’s license. Subsequent contracts between a principal or assistant principal and the board will be granted for a term of four years.
An employee who has a school administrator contract with the school district is expected to continue to strive for excellence, meet all performance standards established by the board, and pursue professional development as provided in board policy 1610/7800 Professional and Staff Development. Any employee who is unable or unwilling to meet reasonable standards of the board may be subject to demotion or dismissal, as provided in board policy 7930 and in accordance with statutorily prescribed procedures.
Decisions of the superintendent and board with regard to recommendations and offers and decisions not to recommend or offer new, renewed, or extended contracts will be made in accordance with G.S. 115C-287.1.
If the superintendent decides not to recommend that the board offer a school administrator a new, renewed or extended contract, the employee has all procedural rights accorded by G.S. 115C-287.1.
In considering a recommendation of the superintendent to offer a school administrator a new, renewed, or extended contract, the board may review any information that was in the employee’s personnel file at the time of the superintendent’s recommendation. If the board determines that it needs additional information to reach a decision, it will notify the administrator of the board’s concerns and of the additional information that it is considering and provide an opportunity for the employee to respond to the additional information.
Legal References: G.S. 115C-36, -47(18), -284(c), -287.1, -289, -325.1 et seq. Tobe- Williams v. New Hanover Co. Bd. Of Educ., 234 – N.C. App. 453 – 759 S.E.2d 680 (2014)
Cross References: Professional and Staff Development (policy 1610/7800), Hearings Before the Board (policy 2500), Recruitment and Selection of Personnel (policy 7100), Professional and Staff Development (policy 1610/7800), Evaluation of Licensed Employees (policy 7815), Professional Employees: Demotion and Dismissal (policy 7930)
Adopted: 2001-06-04
Revised: 2012-03-13 March 28, 2014; December 9, 2014; March 21, 2017