Leadership Development

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL POOL

All applicants must be approved AP Pool candidates in order to be considered for any assistant principal vacancies.  The pathways to becoming an approved candidate are listed below.  Previous school-based administrators in Hernando County Schools may be required to complete some or all of the applicable pathway requirements before being relisted as an approved candidate.

Internal Candidate:

  1. Certification in Educational Leadership;
  2. Updated resume to reflect current position and experience;
  3. Reference from current principal or supervisor;
  4. Copies of the last two years evaluations (must be effective or highly effective)
  5. Apply for the Aspiring Leaders Academy through the Office of Professional Learning.
  • Application window opens once a year in the Fall
  • The Aspiring Leaders Academy is a year long training program for internal candidates interested in moving into the Assistant Principal Pool.
  • All eligible ALA Candidates must pass the Principal Panel interview phase to move into the AP Pool.

External Candidate:

External candidates will apply through the Assistant Principal Pool External Candidate job posting on the district website.  Job posting is opened at least twice a year (Fall and Spring).  Candidates will be required to fill out and submit a completed application with all requested information before being considered for entrance into the Assistant Principal Pool.

For entrance as an external candidate, you need:

  1. Two or more years of experience as a principal or assistant principal;
  2. Copies of your last two years administrator evaluations;
  3. Updated Resume;
  4. Reference from your previous supervisor;
  5. Florida certification in Educational Leadership or School Principal;

-OR-

Currently included on an approved candidate list in another school district, provided that the requirements to be included on the list are similar to the qualifications of persons listed on Hernando’s approved candidate list;

  • Certification in Educational Leadership or School Principal 
  • A rating of effective or higher on your two most recent administrator performance evaluations

Entrance in a like pool must be within the last two years and you must submit a copy of your acceptance letter.

*HCSD shall determine whether an external candidate’s education, training and/or experience satisfy the requirements to become an approved candidate.  Interviews with district leadership may be required and documentation, including but not limited to, work history, references, and any disciplinary records may be considered prior to an external candidate being eligible to apply for vacancies in Hernando County Schools.

If you have questions or need further information, please contact Dr. Paula Clark at clark_p@hcsb.k12.fl.us for assistance.

SCHOOL PRINCIPAL CERTIFICATION - LEVEL II PROGRAM

Purpose: The School Principal Certification Program in Hernando County provides future principal candidates with learning experiences that align with the Florida Educational Leadership Standards as well as Hernando’s Vision for Leadership Excellence. In accordance with 1012.562, F.S.  – Rule 6A-5.080, F.A.C. Effective Revised Date: October 2022. Applicants for School Principal certification will engage in a yearlong preparation program that requires demonstration of excellence in all core leadership competencies. 

Our Level II program is a year long rigorous learning experience in partnership with the Gulf Coast Partnership at the David C. Anchin Center at USF.

Requirements: Internal candidates only for this program must:

  • Currently possess a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and have Educational Leadership on their Florida Educator certificate
  • Have completed three years of successful experience serving as a school based assistant principal (experience requirement related to NEW Florida Leadership rule).

Applications are released internally each year and accepted in the Office of Professional Learning each March.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Dr. Paula Clark at clark_p@hcsb.k12.fl.us.