Background
The Board of Trustees has retained responsibility for the appointment of school administrators as a policy item under Board Governance. The board believes the best educational interests of the school division are served when school administrators are selected by the superintendent in collaboration with other senior administration and trustees. The division administrative appointments are designed to ensure schools are served by administrators who consistently provide quality leadership in keeping with each school community's context and the Alberta Leadership Quality Standard through competition, appointment and transfer.
Appointment of Principals, Vice Principals and Assistant Principals
Vacancies will normally be filled through an open competition and selection process. However, the superintendent may initiate a procedure of transfers of administrative personnel between schools.
Internal candidates will provide the same information as external applicants, as specified in the advertisement.
The principal selection committee will consistent of the superintendent, a minimum of one other senior administrator, and a minimum of one or a maximum of two trustee representatives.
The vice principal and assistant principal selection committee will consistent of the Superintendent, a minimum of one other senior administrator, a minimum of one or a maximum of two trustee representatives, and the principal.
In the event of a short-term vacancy or if the superintendent determines an inability to successfully recruit/hire for a vacant administration position, the superintendent, in consultation with the board, and after an interview process, may recommend for appointment an acting principal, acting vice principal, or an acting assistant principal. Except by board motion, such appointments shall not exceed one year.
All school administrative appointments will be confirmed by board motion.
Contracts
Grasslands will have contracts for all principal designations separate from their teaching contracts.
All initial appointments will be probationary for a one-year fixed term.
If the appointment is to replace a principal, vice principal, or assistant principal on leave, the person will be offered a term contract which ends with the return of the administrator on leave.
A principal, vice principal or assistant shall enter into a series of term contracts for a period of up to five (5) years. Up to two (2) of these five years may be on a probationary basis.
Following the term contract maximum of five (5) years, inclusive of the maximum two (2) years probationary period, the Division will decide whether the designation will continue, and if it continues, it is deemed to be a continuing designation.
Prior to the term contract maximum of five (5) years, the Division may determine to let the current contract expire at the conclusion of the term and not renew the individual's administrative designation.
All principal designations will be evaluated as per Administrative Procedure 705.
Administrative Continuity and Mobility
The Division believes administrative mobility is positive, productive and necessary in maintaining exemplary leadership in each school. At the same time, the Division understands that some continuity in school leadership is desirable and can be supportive of overall school success.
Administrators who have been in their current assignment for more than seven (7) years are to, in consultation with the superintendent, consider opportunities associated with movement to a new Division leadership challenge.
Transfer
In-school administrators are employed as teachers (Section 202.1 of the Education Act and may be transferred by the superintendent (Section 212 of the Education Act).
A change in position that constitutes a promotion according to the superintendent shall be accomplished through an open and transparent selection process.
In some instances, a transfer can involve a reduction in administrative allowance and this may deter an individual from seeking a change that would benefit the division and the in-school administrator. Whether the transfer was initiated by the superintendent, or requested by the in-school administrator and agreed to by the superintendent, the administrative allowance will be red-circled at the amount that was applicable on the last day before the transfer for a period mutually agreed upon or until the amount of the administrative allowance in the new location equals or exceeds the red-circled amount.
For in-school administrator transfers to the district principal position, the administrative allowance will be determined as outlined in clause 4.5.1.1 in the collective agreement.
If a transfer is stated in writing to be a demotion, no red-circling will occur.
If the transfer is superintendent initiated, provisions of the collective agreement would determine whether a moving expense could be claimed.