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School board approves assistant principal job description after debate over months and experience
Summary
At an April 20 workshop the Madison School Board approved revisions to the assistant principal job description, making the position 12 months, lowering the minimum teaching experience to five years, and changing the reporting line to the principal; the motion passed 4-1.
The Madison School Board on April 20 approved changes to the assistant principal job description after a lengthy discussion about staffing, leave liabilities and candidate qualifications.
Board members debated whether experience in a Title I school should be required or merely preferred, whether the minimum teaching requirement should be reduced from eight years to five and whether assistant principals should report to the superintendent or the principal. District staff had warned the board that projected enrollment declines could reduce full-time-equivalent staffing by roughly 74—75 positions, costing the district about $550,000—$600,000 annually if projections hold.
"I would move to accept the job description for the assistant principal with the recommended changes of leaving it as a 12 month position, changing number four to five years or more successful teaching experience and changing the reporting to principal," said Ms. Knight in making the motion to approve the revised description; the motion was seconded and carried 4—.
District staff also outlined the fiscal differences between 11-month and 12-month appointments. Mr. Copeland explained that 12-month employees accrue an additional month of annual leave and said the district had capped accumulation at 240 hours prior to the current proposal, creating greater long-term leave liabilities for 12-month positions.
Supporters of the change said the 12-month designation and the five-year minimum would help retain and properly compensate school leaders; opponents warned that overly specific requirements could exclude otherwise strong candidates and urged the board to use "preferred" language where appropriate.
The board approved the revised assistant principal job description and directed staff to incorporate the agreed changes into final documents. The change takes effect as part of the district's forthcoming staffing plan and will be reflected in hiring materials for the next recruitment cycle.
