| Whitmore Lake Public Schools |
| Administrative Guidelines |
3120A - SELECTION OF PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL
| A. | Introduction |
| 1. | The Board of Education shall make all appointments to positions on the basis of a person's professional qualifications. To implement the desire of the Board to appoint on the basis of merit only, all those who have responsibility for staffing should search diligently within and outside the system for qualified candidates to fill staff positions. | ||
| 2. | Each position shall have a job description which shall include, but not be limited to, the following information: |
| a. | the position title | |||
| b. | its function |
| 3. | When qualifications of candidates for a position are similar, preference shall be given to present staff members. Applications are invited for all staff openings from present staff members. |
| B. | Qualifications |
| 1. | The qualities desired beyond minimum certification requirements are: |
| a. | formal training appropriate to the duties and responsibilities of the particular position; | |||
| b. | experience, both quantitative and qualitative, related to the particular position; | |||
| c. | demonstrated ability in the particular position; | |||
| d. | demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with others, both with those of greater and lesser responsibility and authority; | |||
| e. | evidence of high educational and professional standards; | |||
| f. | demonstrated loyalty to the administration and other staff where presently employed; | |||
| g. | evidence of commitment to professional growth; | |||
| h. | evidence of professional work habits and conduct consistent with the ethics of the profession. |
| 2. | Each candidate shall submit the following information in the form requested by the District: |
| a. | personal data, limited to those allowed by law | |||
| b. | certificates held | |||
| c. | record of educational and professional training (including transcripts) | |||
| d. | record of experience applicable to the position, e.g. teaching, counseling, administration, etc. | |||
| e. | reports from references |
| C. | Selection Process |
| 1. | Application Procedure | ||
| All letters of application and all placement office credentials shall come through the Superintendent's Office which will note date of receipt, acknowledge the application, (if applications were requested). | |||
| It shall send the applications to the appropriate principal for filing. |
The applicant is to read and sign Form 3120 F2 - which is then to be sent to the applicant's current or most recent employer along with a request for any records pertaining to the applicant's unprofessional conduct. No applicant may be hired if s/he refuses to sign this statement. Unprofessional conduct is defined as "one (1) or more acts of misconduct; one (1) or more acts of immorality, moral turpitude, or inappropriate behavior involving a minor; or commission of a crime involving a minor." A criminal conviction is not an essential element in determining whether or not a particular act constitutes unprofessional conduct.
| 2. | Investigation Procedure |
| a. | Checking of credentials should include, in addition to letters of reference, direct telephone calls to the person's recent supervisor(s) or employer, and review of any records of unprofessional conduct sent by the applicant's current or most recent employer. (See AG 3120D) Such information shall be maintained in a confidential file restricted to supervisory and official use only so as to protect the source(s) of the information and the privacy of the applicant. Official use shall include disclosure to persons directly involved in the process of evaluating the applicant's qualifications for employment. | |||
| b. | All necessary certification, training, and experience is documented. |
| 3. | Interview Procedure |
| a. | Upon receipt of all relevant information, applications will be routed to the appropriate principal for review. | |||
| b. | The principal shall independently review the applications and then reach consensus on the applicants to be interviewed. The principal shall then determine which, if any, members of the staff will be included in reviewing applications and the interviews. Prior to any interviews, a copy of AG 3120C is to be given to each interviewer. | |||
| c. | Qualified candidates shall be scheduled for personal interviews with the principal and interview team as soon after receipt and review of application as possible. | |||
| d. | Prior to the recommendation, a criminal history record check will be conducted after the candidate submits a set of fingerprints and pays the investigation fee. | |||
| e. | Both successful and unsuccessful candidates shall be notified of the District's employment decision. |
| 4. | Procedure for Principals | ||
| If the opening is for a principalship, a screening committee consisting of two (2) to three (3) Board members, two (2) to three (3) members of the professional staff, two (2) student(s), and/or two (2) parent(s) shall be selected to assist in the interview process. | |||
| The screening committee shall participate in the planning of the interview sessions and the questions that will be asked all candidates. | |||
| Additional interviews and final recommendation shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent. | |||
| 5. | Procedure for Central Office Positions | ||
| The interview/selection procedure for professional staff with administrative responsibilities at the District level shall be established by the Superintendent, appropriate for the position. |
|
During all phases of all screening, interviewing, and selection process, the Equal Opportunity Employment policy (3122) shall be adhered to by all personnel involved. |
| D. | Employment Procedure |
| 1. | After the Superintendent's approval, and with Board acceptance, the Superintendent shall make an offer of employment and remuneration and, upon acceptance by the successful candidate, initiate a contract or memorandum of employment which will include: |
| a. | terms of employment including wages; | |||
| b. | fringe benefits; | |||
| c. | job title and person to whom responsible. |
| 2. | Upon acceptance, the new staff member shall report to the business office to fill out withholding tax, insurance, and any other necessary forms. | ||
| 3. | All documents concerning employment shall be attached to the application and filed in the business office. (See AG 8320 - Personnel Records) | ||
| 4. | The new staff member is to be properly oriented by his/her supervisor in accordance with the checklist on Form 3120 F1. |