Principals Responsibilities Time Management

Education

Part of the principal's position in the community is to engage community leaders, parents, politicians, and organizers. As a liaison between the school board, educators, and residents, the principal represents the school. The school plays a central role in the community, extending beyond that of the education of students. As Berg, Melaville & Blank (2006) point out, the role of principals has changed dramatically over the last several generations. Principals used to be invisible members of the community as their focus was within the walls of the school itself. Now, "schools stay open evenings and weekends and students and community members learn in new ways during more hours of the day," (Berg, Melaville & Blank, 2006, es1). Not only are schools functioning more like community centers, but principals are also taking into account the lives students have outside of school. School is only one facet of a child's life. After school, a child is engaged with family, friends, and social activities.

Therefore, Berg, Melaville & Blank (2006) describe community engagement as a "two-way street" where community, school, and families work together. Principals are working as public relations managers, too, helping communities develop high profile projects of benefit to all stakeholders. Local news media can help draw attention to projects and programs of relevance, and showcase the hard work principals are doing to improve their schools and the communities they serve.

Some of the types of community engagements a principal might have to attend with in any given month include written and in-person communications with parents. An ongoing relationship with parents may need to be cultivated, at mutually beneficial time schedules. Similarly, the principal engages teachers to create consensus among all parties. Resolving disputes, such as those related to anything from discrimination to behavior problems, is another role the principal might serve. When engaging the community, the principal seeks out programs and opportunities for their parents and teachers. The school can become a physical hub of activities after school, during which time social or athletic activities might take precedence. Principals might need to meet with members of the city council related to development concerns, concerns over advertising in the area, the quality of local businesses, and the types of food served at school events. Occasionally, the principal might organize a social activity or event like a picnic or small carnival to involve parents in the community. This can help disenfranchised members of the community have an opportunity to communicate with the principal in a non-threatening way.

A conversation between a principal and several assistant principals regarding who should represent the school at specific events would need to take place as follows.

PRINCIPAL: Which of you would like to head the fundraising raffle project?

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL 1: I have done something like that before at the last school I worked with, and we raised $9,500. Let me do it, I'll set a good target and we will raise money for our new sports equipment.