Mount Madonna’s head of school embodies the mission of the school and articulates the mission for all aspects of the school’s program. In keeping with the school’s mission, the head of school fosters the traditions, relationships, and practices that determine the schools’ climate, culture and identity.
The head of school is responsible for the overall management of the school, in accordance with the trustees, with the board’s policies and in collaboration with the executive council, administration, faculty, parents and students. Although much of this work requires proper delegation, the head of school has ultimate and overall responsibility for the board relations, curriculum and instruction, student life, business affairs, operations and facilities, admission and advancement. The head remains apprised of legal issues and new legislation relevant to the school.
The head of school is a primary spokesperson for the school with all its internal and external relationships including students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, neighbors, business community, governmental agencies and local, state, regional and national educational organizations and accrediting agencies. The head of school maintains good school relationships with the Mount Madonna Center whose campus hosts the school.
This position requires stamina, emotional resilience and intellectual curiosity. The ideal candidate must have excellent communication skills and problem solving aptitude. The head of school serves to resolve conflicts with respect and integrity.
Board Relations
The head is responsible for the following;
- Keeping the board informed of all essential matters relating to the school through reports at board meetings and immediate communications following major school events or happenings.
- Providing data to assist the board in its work.
- Making recommendations to the board for approval of the operating and capital budgets, including all categories of income and expenditures.
- Seeking direction from the board on new initiatives.
- Assisting the board chair and or executive committee in setting board and committee meeting agendas and discussion topics.
- Staffing the board’s strategic planning process.
- Setting annual goals and evaluating outcomes with the board of directors.
- Ensuring that the board records and summaries are properly filed, and otherwise assists the board in its works as possible.
Curriculum and Instruction
The Head:
- Upholds the academic and ethical standards of the school.
- Oversees the hiring, evaluations, and dismissals of all administrators, faculty and staff members in consultation with the executive council.
- Fosters professionalism, collegiality, conflict resolution, and ethical conduct in the faculty.
- Provides for the professional development of the faculty.
- Stimulates and participates in the dialog about teaching and learning at the school.
- Serves as an advisor for the division directors with the selection of curricula, class schedules, assessments, graduation requirements, and all aspects of the school’s academic program.
- Works with staff to optimizes the physical learning environment and technology in all instructional areas.
- Leads in strategic innovations in the practice and management of the school as directed by the mission of the school.
- Maintains good relations with Pajaro Valley Unified School District and oversees any reports and their filings to receive PVUSD funding i.e. for teacher trainings.
- Represents Mount Madonna School at CAIS/NAIS/WASC and leads the process of CAIS/NAIS/WASC involvement and accreditation and voluntarily serves on CAIS accreditation teams as requested by the association.
- Supervises the review and editing of the school handbook and parent contracts annually.
Student Life
The Head:
- Oversees and delegates the organization of student activities and co-curricular opportunities.
- Reviews and manages the revisions, the school’s discipline policies and standards of conduct with the division directors and dean of students.
- Oversees the student’s support systems, such as counseling, academic support, before and after school programs, college or secondary school counseling, health and wellness, etc.
- Ensures the management of the school safety programs.
- Oversees the management of all-school gatherings including assemblies, sporting events, performances etc.
- Supports the school’s mission of character education and ethical teachings in keeping with the mission of the school.
- Represents the school in the high School league, SCCAL, and serves as a member of the board of managers for the league and as requested by CCS.
Business, Finance, Legal and Plant Operations
The Head:
- Understands and has an overview of the business functions of the school including budgeting; monitoring and reporting income, expenses, investments, and cash flow and contracts; maintenance of the appropriate records and assisting the school’s auditors and accountants.
- Oversees and delegates all employment and human resource matters such as employment agreements, salaries, benefits, job assignments, job orientation, performance evaluation, retentions and dismissals, personnel records, employee handbooks etc.
- Oversees the managers of maintenance and cleaning of the buildings, grounds, and all the plant operations including vehicles, grounds etc.
- Supports the planning and approval of major capital purchases, major repairs, building and development projects with the finance committee, executive council and the board of directors.
Admissions, Marketing and Financial Aid
The Head:
- Supervises and assists the admissions functions of the school, including recruitment programs, internal marketing, external outreach, website development and maintenance, information dissemination.
- Supervises the admissions decision-making process, including administration of the school’s financial aid program.
Advancement and Fundraising
The Head:
- Plans and optimizes the school’s fundraising programs such as annual giving, capital campaigns, planned giving, the MMS Endowment and major events.
- Supervises the schools’ efforts in identifying, cultivating, asking, thanking, and communicating with the past and prospective donors and organization.
- Promotes the school’s positive relations with its alumni including, fundraising development and maintenance of the alumni database, communications programs, and special events.
- Responsible for crafting communications for various campaigns, The Connection magazine, other publications and periodic letters.
Physical, Emotional, and Personal Requirements:
The Head must have the following:
- Resilience
- Stamina
- Intellectual curiosity
- Skillful communication and problem solving aptitudes