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MESPA Home > Careers > Principal Staffing Guidelines
Q: How many schools should a principal lead?
A:  One.

Each school building needs a principal.

"Strong, effective leadership is best achieved by the assignment of a full-time principal in each elementary and middle-level building."

The above statement has been one of MESPA's Legislative Priorities for the last several years -- and is supported by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI).

New NCA guidelines as  of July 1, 2007. *
  • Every site needs a principal.
  • A school with 500-749 students needs a .5 Assistant Principal.
  • A school with 750-999 students needs a 1.0 Assistant Principal.                                    
  • A school with 1000-1249 students need a 1.5 Assistant Principal.             
  • A school with 1250-1500 students needs a 2.0 Assistant Principal. 

*Source:
Gil Carlson
Minnesota Director 
NCA CASI
University of Minnesota, College of Education 
1954 Buford Avenue, Room 320H 
St. Paul, MN 55108 
612.625.2254; 800.622.3634  
gcarlson@ncacasi.org 




Mission: The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association is dedicated to promoting and improving education for children and youth, strengthening the role as educational leader for elementary and middle level principals, and collaborating with partners in education to assist in achieving these goals.

Leading schools toward excellence through the MESPA vision to be the premiere resource for preparing today's principals for tomorrow and a strong leading voice for public education.

Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association
1667 North Snelling Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
651.999.7310     MN toll free 800.642.6807    
Fax: 651.999.7311     E-mail: mespa@mespa.net