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303. EMPLOYMENT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
Date Adopted: April 27, 1981
Date Revised: June 27, 1994

1. Purpose
 

  1. The Board places the primary responsibility and authority for the administration of the School District of Philadelphia in the Superintendent. Selection of a Superintendent is, therefore, critical to the effective leadership of the District.

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  2. The Superintendent Shall be the chief administrative and instructional officer of the Board of Education and of the School District and shall be responsible for the implementation of all actions of the Board, the administration and operation of the public school system subject to the policies of the Board, and the supervision of all matters pertaining to instruction in all programs under the direction of the Board.

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2. Authority
 
  1. When the position of Superintendent shall be vacant, the Board shall elect a Superintendent by a majority vote of all Members of the Board and shall fix the beginning salary and the term of office. Such term of office for the Superintendent shall not be more than six (6) years, renewable at the discretion of the Board.

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3. Guidelines
 
  1. The Board will actively seek the best qualified and most capable candidate for the position of Superintendent. It will be aided in this task by a committee of Board Members. Recruitment procedures shall be prepared in advance of the search and shall include the following:

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      preparation of a position description

      preparation of written specifications of qualification in addition to the State requirements for all applicants

      preparation of informative material describing the School District and its educational goals

      solicitation of applications from a large enough geographical area to ensure a range of applicant backgrounds and experience

      where feasible, the opportunity for applicants to visit the schools of the District

      a screening process that enables the Board to interview a sufficient number of applicants so that an adequate range of choices is available for final selection

      recruitment and consideration of candidates in accordance with Board policy, state and federal law.
       

  2. No person may be employed as Superintendent of this District unless that person has signed an employment contract with the Board or has been employed by Board resolution, either of which shall include the term for which employment is contracted including beginning and ending dates, the salary which the Superintendent shall be paid and the intervals at which it shall be paid, a statement as to procedures to be followed and the consequences of termination or modification, a provision for extending the term of the agreement, procedures for the resolution of misunderstandings or disagreements, and a statement of agreed upon evaluation procedures.

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  3. Any applicant's misstatement of fact material to qualification for employment or the determination of salary shall be considered by this Board to constitute grounds for dismissal.

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  4. Each applicant for the position of Superintendent shall be required to pass a physical examination by a qualified physician mutually agreeable to the parties. Such examination shall be reasonably related to the required position responsibilities, the cost of which shall be borne by the District if the candidate is so employed.

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4. Evaluation
 
    1. The Board shall evaluate periodically the service of the Superintendent.

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    2. Prior to the beginning of the period under evaluation, the Board and the Superintendent shall agree upon the evaluation criteria. Such criteria may include but is not limited to:

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      1. Attainment of objectives agreed upon annually by the Board and Superintendent

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      2. Superintendent's relationships with staff, students, and community

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      3. Superintendent's personal growth including his/her self-analysis

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      4. As a result of the evaluation, the Board should recognize strengths and weaknesses in the District's program and assist the Superintendent in establishing specific objectives which advance the District toward its goals and take any action regarding the employment of the Superintendent in accordance with the law.
Reference:

State School Code, SS 1001, 1003, 3705-P.G. 104,
Home Rule Charter, 12-400, 12-301
P. L. 88-352, Title VI
P. L. 93-318, Title IX