How much do HS principals influence HS sports?

New to this site but I needed a place to voice a concern. I am concerned about how much a principal influences the sports programs in a school. A HS recently hired a new principal that is actively against Middle school sports. I am concerned.

 

This sounds like a Red Bear topic. btw welcome to TBR, your fun has just begun.

 

In the county I live in, the School Superintendant sents mandates to each HS principal about what they would like to see happen with expenses. The principals pretty much have to follow what they are told. The buck stops with the principal. The principals also have full control over every operation in their school, including athletics. The Athletic Director answers to the principal.

 

I'd say you should be concerned if the Middle School Principal is against Middle School Sports or if the the new HS principal is against HS sports. I don't see where the HS principal's opinion of something at the middle school level should be a concern unless your Middle and High School are all under one roof with one principal.

 

correct...

Karl Rocket! The Principal is the defining force and say, period.

 

What Oriole says is true. While principals have budgets, they also can legally move money from accounts. Maybe Booster money goes more toward a certain sport. maybe concession money. Principals have some flexibility. And prinicipals that loves sports promote them more. some work harder than others to hire the right coaches. Some promote more off-season work. In my opinion the principal sets the tone.

 

Also have to look at today's economy,,,,,, given current (and recent) gas prices and expenses in general, theres been a lot of discussion nationwide about cutting middle school sports. This is not just the idea of some "sports-hating principal". Its been discussed AND DONE in some school districts already, simply as cutting costs.

I think you CMS folks know all about this,,,,, but its been discussed in other school districts as well...

 

That's right, teh principal has the say in who coaches, etc... It is his or her school, they have final word on when you can or cannot play, practice, etc... he/she controls facilities also. However, most let their AD's run the athletic Dept just as asst principals have delegated tasks too.

 

Principals

I happen to have a brother in law that is a Principal at a high school. We often have this very conversation. Yes they do have the last word and often exercise it. However, the day to day operation is the Athletic Director's responsiblity. The hiring and or firing of coaches must come from the Principal as the coaches are teachers to. Now, how much involvement IMHO depends on how involved in sports the Principal is and wants to be. Some may not care one bit about athletics and then your teams may suffer. I do know our principal is very sports oriented and will go the extra mile to make sure ALL teams have what they need to participate at the highest level. Obviously, that doesn't mean they will have everything they want. And yes football does pull and push the wagon. If yall have some questions you want answered from him I will be glad to forward them and get answers.

 

NF and former principal

You don't have to look far to see how a principal can all but kill a baseball program. First he forces out a coach who finishes 30-0 in regular season, brings in another coach and proclaims this coach will be better than the previous, another coaching change 2 years later, and now headed for another coaching change.

Sound familiar ... look at North Forsyth's program where the former principal tried to kill baseball.

Thank goodness the game of baseball is much bigger than the former principal will ever be. And the kids play the game for the right reason.