KEARNY BOARD OF EDUCATION File Code: 4119.9 Kearny , New Jersey 07032
Policy
JOB DESCRIPTION
DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSON
The department chairperson is responsible to the principal in the general areas of program maintenance, development, and improvement, teacher supervision, department coordination, and integration of his/her discipline into a total school program.
While the department chairperson is expected to demonstrate expertise in the specific discipline, he/she is also expected to maintain a global concept of education. The department chairperson will maintain a perspective as to the significance of the area in the education of youth and will work to aid the principal, vice principals, and the Superintendent of Schools and designated personnel in developing a well-balanced high school curriculum. Designated personnel is used herein to mean Superintendent of Schools, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Coordinators of Programs which function in the high school, the Child Study Team and, where mutually agreeable, with personnel in grades 7 and 8 for the purposes of articulation. Specifically excluded is a function by virtue of which department chairperson of the high school would be expected to supervise anyone outside the high school. The department chairperson will constantly seek ways in which the discipline may be appropriately correlated and coordinated with other disciplines to develop more effective educational experiences for youth.
To accomplish these ends, the department chairperson will be answerable to the high school principal and vice principals and will work cooperatively with the above-designated personnel for the discipline or broad area with which he/she is concerned. Each principal is responsible for the overall supervisory program for the individual building.
Evaluation of the department chairperson will be conducted annually by the principal or designated assistant.
The following specific responsibilities will be included in the department chairpersonship function:
1. Directly supervising the teachers in his/her department in accordance with the supervisory plan established by the principal of the school. The department chairperson will be expected to submit periodic evaluations of the teachers in the department in accordance with the principal’s guidelines and the school district policy.
2. Participating in interviewing and consideration of teacher candidates, whenever possible, in the discipline for which he/she is responsible.
Job Description - Department Chairperson File Code: 4119.9 Page 2
3. Acting as liaison between members of the department and high school administration and between the department members and designated personnel.
4. Consulting with the principal or the designated administrator where pertinent on personnel, curriculum, instruction, facilities, equipment, and supplies within the department.
5. Cooperating with the high school administration in any matters needing study or development, and with designated personnel, where mutually agreeable, in grades 7 and 8 for purposes of articulation.
6. Participating in and assuming leadership where required in the development of curriculum guides and curriculum materials at the high school level.
7. Calling and chairing departmental meetings at least once a month. Agendas will be prepared and submitted to the principal prior to each meeting. The deliberations of the departmental meetings shall be submitted to the high school principal following each meeting.
8. Responsibility for the guiding of substitute teachers assigned to the department.
9. Assisting the high school principal in obtaining a “cooperating teacher” and assisting in supervising the student teacher.
10. Participating in building-level, and/or interdiscipline meetings when requested by the principal.
11. Assuming responsibility for the routine of maintaining departmental equipment, including an inventory of all department supplies and equipment, the distribution of same, and rotating supplementary materials as necessary.
12. Evaluating educational materials for possible purchase and preparing a complete listing of budgetary requests for the school year following, including all requests of textbooks, supplies, and equipment.
13. Encouraging and helping teachers or other staff new to the department in becoming oriented to the department, school, and school policies, departmental procedures, courses of studies and to the students assigned to them.
14. Recognizing the role as consultant to the principal in all matters pertaining to the high school and further recognizing his/her responsibility to carry out policy decisions.
15. Through the coordinators of vocational programs, assist in the development, supervision, interpretation, and evaluation of vocational educational programs, particularly as they may relate to his/her field of discipline.
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16. Preparing a Professional Improvement Plan (PIP) each year concentrating on the supervisory and curriculum leadership role of the department chairperson.
17. Encouraging departmental members to grow professionally by taking course work, and attendance at educational seminars and conferences and to be alert to new and different ideas, evaluation and assessment techniques and other relevant materials, ideas, and concepts that might help enhance the departmental mission within the school and school district.
18. To be responsible for newspaper releases on important activities taking place within the department. Each department should have a minimum of three releases per year which will be reviewed by the high school principal.
19. Submit to the principal or the designated administrator recommendations for teaching and room assignments in preparing the Master Schedule for the high school.
20. Assist the members of the Counseling Department in matters related to student scheduling in accordance with the scheduling guidelines established by the high school principal.
21. Evaluating lesson plans, substitute plans and roll books in accordance with guidelines established by the high school principal.
22. To assist in evaluating the “grade spread” of each member of his/her department, and to confer with each member in accordance with guidelines established by the high school principal.
23. Supervising special assignments of the department and department members essential to the successful operation of the instructional programs.
24. To develop an audio-visual and multi-media center and to maintain and upgrade a professional library for the department where appropriate.
25. Performing other duties commensurate with his/her position as assigned by the principal or Superintendent of Schools.
26. Assist in the student discipline process by reviewing “Dismissal from Class” incidents, directing teachers to follow proper procedures and discussing possible causes of behavior problems with the teacher and/or student.
27. Assist the principal or his designee in the administration of the testing program in regards to subject area expertise, room and teacher scheduling, monitoring testing procedures, and maintaining security.
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28. Assist the clerical staff to assure coverage for absent teachers within the department. Help arrange coverage for teachers absent because of approved professional activities or field trips.
29. Encourage, coordinate, and assist teachers with interscholastic contests, competitions, festivals, performances, etc.
30. Coordinate the design, preparation, administration, and storage of the departmental final exams.
31. Assist teachers to prepare their Professional Improvement Plans and maintain PIP files for the department.
32. Monitor the preparation and delivery of alternative lessons to students in the EBM program, Out-of-School suspension, or temporary home confinement because of illness or injury.
33. Monitor teacher responses to PAC information requests and scheduled appointments.
34. Prepare Bi-Monthly Report to the Superintendent about departmental accomplishments, activities, and news.
ADDENDUM
Additional Pre K-8 responsibilities for the department chairpersons of Art, Life Skills, Music, Physical Education, and World Languages:
35. Coordinate subject area articulation Pre K-8.
36. Coordinate curriculum development Pre K-8.
37. Coordinate instruction Pre K-8.
Specifically excluded are formal observations and evaluations of regular classroom teachers and subject specialists for Pre K-8. Informal visits, conferences, and in-service sessions may be required. Also excluded are preparations for Pre K-8 of supply and equipment orders, equipment repair orders, and inventory maintenance. Also excluded is primary responsibility for organizing and supervising special
Pre K-8 events such as concerts, musicals, graduation, exhibits, competitions, Field Day exercises, etc.
Amended: February 20, 2001