DEPARTMENT: School Administration
WORK DAYS: 240 Days
REPORTS TO: Principal
PAY SCALE: Based on District Leadership Salary Scale: Supplement negotiable
POSITION SUMMARY
The Associate Principal serves as a senior instructional and organizational leader at Rome High School, working in close partnership with the Principal to advance a culture of excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts while ensuring high levels of student achievement and a positive school climate.
This position requires a highly experienced and capable administrator who operates with the same level of leadership capacity as the Principal. The Associate Principal is expected to lead major school functions, support strategic initiatives, and assume full leadership responsibilities in the Principal’s absence.
In addition, this role will oversee all athletic programs and operations, effectively serving as the school’s Athletic Administrator to ensure alignment between athletics, academics, and student development.
CORE LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS
The Associate Principal will lead in alignment with the district’s Four Pillars:
1. Student Achievement
- Support and co-lead the development of a culture of high academic expectations for all students.
- Assist in the implementation and monitoring of rigorous, standards-based instruction.
- Utilize multiple data sources to support instructional improvement and close achievement gaps.
- Ensure alignment of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and intervention systems.
- Promote excellence across Advanced Placement, Career Pathways, Fine Arts, and Athletics programs.
- Support innovative instructional practices that prepare students for postsecondary success.
2. Staff Development
- Assist in recruiting, developing, supervising, and retaining highly effective teachers and staff.
- Support leadership development through coaching, mentorship, and distributed leadership.
- Help implement professional learning aligned to student achievement needs.
- Conduct evaluations and provide actionable feedback to improve instructional effectiveness.
- Foster a collaborative and accountable professional culture.
- Promote staff morale, engagement, and continuous improvement.
3. Stakeholder Engagement
- Support the development of a positive, inclusive, and student-centered school culture.
- Assist in building strong relationships with students, families, and community stakeholders.
- Collaborate with business partners, higher education institutions, and community organizations.
- Promote student engagement across academics, athletics, arts, and extracurricular activities.
- Ensure consistent and transparent communication with stakeholders.
- Help create systems where every student feels connected, valued, and supported.
4. Safety & Operations
- Support the maintenance of a safe, orderly, and secure learning environment.
- Ensure compliance with district, state, and federal policies and procedures.
- Assist in managing school operations, including scheduling, supervision, and logistics.
- Support oversight of facilities, technology, and daily school functions.
- Participate in crisis preparedness and emergency response planning.
- Promote professionalism, accountability, and operational efficiency.
ATHLETICS LEADERSHIP (This is up for discussion and depends on several factors)
- Provide direct oversight of all athletic programs, ensuring alignment with school and district expectations.
- Supervise coaches and athletic staff, including assisting with hiring, evaluation, and development.
- Ensure compliance with all governing bodies, including GHSA rules and regulations.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as a key member of the school’s leadership team, supporting the Principal in all aspects of school leadership.
- Assume leadership of the school in the absence of the Principal.
- Supervise and evaluate certified and classified personnel.
- Support continuous school improvement planning and implementation.
- Oversee assigned instructional programs, extracurricular activities, and operational functions.
- Analyze student achievement and school performance data to guide decisions.
- Support student discipline, attendance, and behavioral expectations.
- Collaborate with district departments (transportation, nutrition, maintenance, technology, student services).
- Assist in managing school finances and resources.
- Maintain clear and consistent communication with the Principal regarding school performance and needs.
- Promote innovation and continuous improvement in teaching and learning.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal or Superintendent.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Mandatory: Specialist Degree or higher in Educational Leadership, Administration, or a related field.
- A doctoral degree is strongly preferred.
- Valid Tier II Educational Leadership Georgia Certification is required.
Experience
- Minimum of three (3) years of successful experience as an Assistant Principal or school-level administrator required.
- Experience in supervising staff and improving instructional outcomes.
- Demonstrated leadership in school operations, culture, and student achievement.
- Experience with or direct involvement in athletic program leadership is strongly preferred.
- Proven ability to manage complex school functions and support large-scale programs.
PREFERRED CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- High-level leadership capacity equivalent to a principalship
- Strong instructional expertise
- Exceptional organizational and operational leadership
- Ability to lead athletics and extracurricular programs effectively
- Culture-building and relationship-centered leadership
- Political and emotional intelligence
- High visibility and strong communication skills
- Commitment to equity and excellence
- Results-oriented decision-making
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to perform duties requiring standing, walking, supervision of large student groups, and attendance at school and community events beyond regular hours, including athletic events.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Salary and benefits are established by the Board of Education.
The Board of Education and the Superintendent reserve the right to accept alternatives to the above qualifications as deemed appropriate.