ILTS Principal as Instructional Leader Subtest 2 (196) Practice Test

A high school principal should consult the district's contract with the teachers union when:

Assessing the effectiveness of instructional programs in meeting student needs to guide resource allocation.

Determining how much money should be withheld from teachers' paychecks to cover federal and state income taxes.

Deciding whether courses with low class enrollments should be replaced by courses that may serve more students.

Establishing an after-school program that would require some teachers to work an increased number of hours.

The main idea is that a district’s teachers union contract governs teacher working conditions, including hours and compensation, so any plan that changes those terms must be checked against the contract. Establishing an after-school program that would require some teachers to work more hours directly affects their workload and pay, which the collective bargaining agreement typically details—how many hours qualify as regular vs. overtime, any additional compensation, limits on duties, and required approvals. Consulting the contract helps ensure the proposal complies with negotiated terms, avoids violations, and clarifies what approvals or negotiations are needed. The other scenarios involve program evaluation, payroll taxes, or curriculum decisions that don’t inherently change teacher hours or pay under the contract, so they don’t require the same contractual consultation.