Hiring a Principal

A school is only as good as its principal, at least over the long term. When we're looking for a principal, it is helpful to remember that we are "competing" against other schools to find the best possible candidate for our school. But too often, our application procedures are purely functional--what forms a candidate must send us before we might regard that person as a viable candidate.  

In contrast, I think we have a real opportunity to shape the kind of candidates we might get by the quality of our application process. 

I believe it's a mistake to begin the process asking for too much.  If our first "date" is loading someone down with paperwork--and the applicant isn't even sure if the employer might be interested in him or her--it's highly possible that he or she may choose some other suitor.  Better to ask only for a resume and cover letter on the front end. After we receive the resume, then WE can decide whether or not to pursue that person, and after an initial interview, make it clear that we're interested, and then ask the candidate to finish out the paperwork as a necessary prerequisite for a formal offer.  The key is this: we don't want to chase away talent before we've met them! 

I also believe it's worth taking time to create a distinctive job description for principal, so as to pique initial interest in the position. Bear in mind that a candidate is likely scrolling through multiple job offerings. Does our school stand out? Might we prompt an inquiry? Here's my attempt at that: 

Job Description for Catholic School Principal

The pay isn’t very good. Sometimes you’ll be gossiped about, and blamed for things that aren’t your fault. Occasionally, you’ll be mischaracterized publicly, or second-guessed for decisions you’ve made. You’ll be expected to be at a lot of night-time events, even though your work day begins at 7:30 a.m. or earlier. You’ll feel constantly behind on paperwork, late in responding to emails, never quite able to finish out your “to do list.”

You must broker peace between students, between parents and teachers, sometimes between employees. You are responsible for the safety of hundreds of children. You must minister to students who are wounded by dysfunctional families, divorce or separation. You’ll weep sometimes when you’re alone, overwhelmed by the crosses that some of your students carry. On particularly sad days, you may have to fire an employee, or meet with parents to tell them they must remove their child from your school.

On the other hand:

You are the architect in building a culture that can have a transformative effect on children—their relationship with God, how they regard themselves, and how they face their future. By the people you hire, by the policies and procedures you create, by the relationships you form, you will have a decisive impact on a community, and all those within it. You will exult in your students' success, celebrate their triumphs, beam with a parent’s pride as you watch them graduate—to high school, to college, to life.

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things,” Paul exhorts us (Philipians 4:8). The next principal of this school has the unparalleled opportunity to build upon what is noble, pure, and lovely in our students, enlivened by the grace of Christ within them.

And through weal and woe, good days and bad, like gold tested in a furnace, by refracting God’s light and mercy to those you serve each day, you will be reshaped, re-formed, and renewed-- becoming, however imperfectly, a new creation in Christ.

If interested, send us your resume and an introductory cover letter.