DELEGATION OF PRINCIPAL AUTHORITY

Background

The District recognizes that, in order to maintain the security and safety of students, staff and District property, it is essential that the delegation of authority in the absence of the Principal be clearly understood by employees, parents and community agencies.  It is also essential that the ongoing delegation of authority in the absence of the others named in this Administrative Procedure be equally understood.

The District believes that in the absence of the Principal, Vice-Principal or other staff, the order of authority in the school must be clearly identified to ensure the security and safety of students, staff and District property.  This chain of delegation needs to be communicated to all of those who are involved in the school: students (where appropriate), teaching and support staff, parents and associated community agencies.

Procedures

1. Pursuant to this Administrative Procedure, the Superintendent establishes the order of authority in District schools as follows:
   1. The Principal, and in the event of absence,
   2. A Vice-Principal, and in the event of absence,
   3. A teacher who has been designated as a “Teacher-in-Charge,” and in the event of absence,
   4. Any employee designated by the Superintendent.
2. The flow of delegation of Principal authority shall be conveyed each year to members of the school community and to community agencies which have emergency contact with District schools. This will include local municipalities, police and fire departments.
3. At the start of each school year, principals will inform students (where appropriate), teaching and support staff and parents, through the school PAC, of the order of the delegation of the authority of the Principal in their absence or in the absence of other staff named in this Administrative Procedure.
4. When informing the school community of the order of delegation of authority in the school, principals will use section 1 of this Administrative Procedure.
5. In addition, District Administrative Staff will inform the COPACS executive of the order of authority in District schools.