Principal​/Southside Early Childhood Center

Overview

Description: Principal

Salary: Board Approved Salary Schedule/Full-time, 12 months

Location: Southside Early Childhood Center

Available:  School Year

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Superintendent

Place of Work: The normal place of work is on the premises of Southside Early Childhood Center. Darlington County School District reserves the right to require you to work at such other place or places as it may reasonably require from time to time.

Job Goal: The Principal of the Southside Early Childhood Center serves as the site-based instructional and operational leader for the district's early childhood campus, with a focused responsibility for ensuring strong early literacy outcomes grounded in the Science of Reading. This role leads teaching and learning for young children by establishing high-quality instructional practices, supporting educators, and building systems that ensure students enter elementary school ready to read, learn, and thrive.

Reporting to the Superintendent, the Principal works in close partnership with district instructional leaders, families, and community partners to ensure early childhood education in Darlington County School District is intentional, evidence-based, and outcomes-focused.

Education and Experience:

• Valid South Carolina certification as an Elementary Principal.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in teaching or educational leadership.
• Strong understanding of early childhood development and early literacy instruction.

Preferred:

• Experience leading early childhood or primary grades.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Science of Reading and early literacy implementation.
• Experience using data to improve instructional practice and student outcomes.

Special Requirements:

• Possess and maintain a SC Driver's License or ability to provide own transportation
• Travel to school district buildings and professional meetings
• Some overnight travel for conferences and meetings

Physical Requirements /

Working Conditions:

• Work requires the occasional exertion of up to ten pounds of force
• Work regularly requires exchange of accurate and detailed information through oral and written communication
• Constantly operates a computer and other office business equipment
• Ability to remain in stationary position for required meetings/work
• Ability to move to other work locations
• Visual acuity requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating standard office equipment, use of advanced technology
• Work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g., business office, light traffic)
• Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions
• Must be adaptable to performing under mild to high levels of stress
• Must be on-call as a regular part of the job

• School Culture & Learning Environment:
  Establish and sustain a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for young children.
• School Culture & Learning Environment:
  Promote a school culture that values consistency, relationships, high expectations, and joyful learning.
• School Culture & Learning Environment:
  Set clear expectations for student behavior, attendance, and routines aligned to early childhood best practices.
• Staff Leadership & Development:
  Recruit, develop, and retain high-quality early childhood educators and support staff.
• Staff Leadership & Development:
  Provide ongoing professional learning aligned to early childhood development and the Science of Reading.
• Staff Leadership & Development:
  Conduct fair, consistent evaluations of all staff in accordance with district and state procedures.
• Staff Leadership & Development:
  Support new staff through orientation, mentoring, and instructional coaching.
• Programs Design & Continuous Improvement:
  Design, implement, and refine early childhood programs to meet the developmental and academic needs of young learners.
• Programs Design & Continuous Improvement:
  Ensure alignment between early childhood instruction and district elementary literacy expectations.
• Programs Design & Continuous Improvement:
  Collaborate with district leaders to strengthen transitions from early childhood to kindergarten and beyond.
• Family & Community Engagement:
  Build strong partnerships with families to support early learning and literacy development at home.
• Family & Community Engagement:
  Communicate clearly and regularly with families regarding student progress, expectations, and school initiatives.
• Family & Community Engagement:
  Foster positive relationships with community partners that support early childhood education and student well-being.
• Operations, Budget & Compliance:
  Oversee…