POSITION:	Middle School Assistant Principal
SCHEDULE:	215 workdays
LOCATION:	Westwood Middle School, 6120 S Abbott Road, Spokane, WA 99224
SUPERVISOR:	Superintendent; Building Principal
POSITION TYPE:	Certificated Administrator
COMPENSATION:	$137,589-$162,355 depending on comparable experience; supplemental compensation for PhD/EdD; annual reimbursement for professional growth; local monthly travel stipend. Pay is annualized over 12 months (if hired after July, spread over remaining months of contract year (Jul-Jun))
BENEFITS:	Medical, dental, vision, and basic life and AD&D insurance; retirement plan; deferred compensation (DRS and TSA); paid leave
QUALIFICATIONS:	Master’s Degree in Educational Administration or related field. Current Washington State Principal Certificate and/or Professional Administrator certificate.   Five or more years of teaching and/or administrative experience, experience in culturally and economically complex communities preferred. Teaching and/or administrative experience in grades 6-8 preferred.   Successful leadership experience as a school administrator or comparable administrative/supervisory responsibility preferred.   Valid Washington State Driver’s License; WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Cheney Public Schools is a rapidly growing district serving approximately 5,300 students and encompasses the towns of Cheney and Airway Heights, an expansive rural area, and a developing industrial and residential area on the West Plains. The District covers 380 square miles. Westwood Middle School is a comprehensive middle school serving a population of approximately 600 students in grades 6-8.

 

Cheney Public Schools is committed to high expectations and continuous progress for students, staff, and administration. The District provides a rich learning environment for all students, and the local community provides consistent and unwavering support for an extensive co-curricular program. Our mission states, “Cheney Public Schools exists to guarantee a safe and caring environment where ALL students learn at high levels and graduate with options for post-secondary education, careers, and civic engagement.”

 

Westwood Middle School is a highly functional PLC school that systematizes learning access to honor the Cheney School District guarantee that all students learn at high levels. Westwood Middle School is a culturally diverse learning community, rich with traditions and values that school staff and leadership are committed to affirming. Westwood Middle School students thrive in a school culture focused on their well-being and achievements

 

DESIRED PERFORMANCE ABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrates success in developing effective working relationships, success dealing with people, resolving conflicts, motivating others, and designing activities to assist others in meeting organizational goals.
• Demonstrate strong communication and personal relationship skills; listen attentively to concerns expressed by staff, students, and patrons. Respond authentically and directly to issues of concern and follow a consistent process for addressing patron concerns. Relate well to students, staff, and community members in a respectful, supportive, and collaborative manner.
• Lead by example, demonstrate honesty and integrity in ones’ actions; provide thoughtful leadership for decisions that require a school-wide commitment for implementation.
• Demonstrate a deep knowledge of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and the Four Questions that guide our collaborative work. Lead by example and set clear expectations for successful use of Professional Learning Community time to build on the strength of teamwork to ensure each department is working and learning together to support student achievement.
• Provide strong, positive, confident, and courageous leadership for a highly professional and deeply committed staff. Be consistent and fair, have high expectations, provide a high level of support, and ensure a climate of accountability and professional conduct for all staff
• Demonstrate high visibility throughout the school day - be present in classrooms and readily available to address questions, issues of concern, and provide support.
• Attend numerous and varied school, co-curricular, and athletic events; establish a schedule to ensure administrative coverage by oneself and other administrators at school-sponsored events.
• Understand the importance of student engagement and participation in a student-leadership program. Support program development that results in increased student participation in activities which contributes to a positive school climate.
• Support the instructional leadership vision for the school that aligns with the work of the entire school district. Seek input and feedback from staff members on program decisions which recognize the academic programs contributing to student success.
• Provide support and recognition of classified staff which includes dedicated personnel in the main office, custodial, kitchen, and paraprofessional educators working in the school. Prioritize time throughout the year to meet with classified staff, communicate clear expectations, and provide support such as coordinated professional development.
• Support the development and the execution of a master schedule that provides a variety of educational experiences for students that lead toward success and meaningful content explorations, and is shared in a collaborative and thoughtful way with departments.
• Assist in ensuring that instructional programming meets all student needs for a smooth transition to High School, including high quality visioning and execution of high impact program and schedule design that enables all students, including students receiving specialized services, to thrive at WMS.
• Instill confidence in others, recognize the achievement of staff in an authentic way, encourage and support the professional growth of staff to continue learning through national board certification, post-graduate degrees and specialized certifications.
• Demonstrate a strong work ethic; know when to delegate tasks to others and when to lead specific projects for successful implementation.
• Assist in designing and implementing a school improvement plan using a collaborative process; one that establishes achievable goals which are responsive to State and Federal guidelines while placing student interests at the center of decisions.
• Ability to organize, implement, coordinate, and evaluate a comprehensive middle school activities programs .
• Demonstrates successful experience in instructional leadership, staff supervision, evaluation, and the ability to work effectively with teachers to improve student learning.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Washington state standards and performance expectations, including Common Core State Standards and the Teacher Principal Evaluation Program, and the use of assessment to inform and guide instruction.
• Evidence of knowledge of school related law, collaborative labor management practices, and accommodation procedures for students with special needs.
• Possess high energy and demonstrate enthusiasm for leading staff during times of increased enrollment and pressure on common spaces and scheduling.
• Attend to practices which will promote the school in our community, as well as invite and engage the community in the school.
• Assist in maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment by implementing effective and positive methods of student discipline in compliance with state laws and district policies. Support and implement a positive school climate based on the principles of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports.
• Demonstrates commitment to providing equal opportunities to all staff and students.
• Displays cultural competency.
• Manages human and fiscal resources to accomplish student achievement goals.
• Possesses a passion for teaching and learning, placing student interests as the priority in decision-making.
• Demonstrates success in middle school student administration (including discipline and attendance processes) and a variety of student management techniques, as well as commitment to improving our programs.
• Demonstrates successful experiences in coordinating intervention strategies/alternative educational opportunities.
• Understand and use technology to enhance teaching and learning, as well as administrative applications, e.g., e-mail, MS Office, MS Outlook, and Skyward. Demonstrate a high level of organization and management skills.
• Demonstrates commitment to personal improvement while exhibiting high personal motivation, energy, flexibility, and tolerance for ambiguity.
• Demonstrates successful experiences communicating effectively in oral and written formats, using language that is appropriate to the person or group.
• Is a skilled problem solver and facilitator.
• Possesses the ability to resolve conflict under the umbrella of respect.
• Assist in coordinating the school's extracurricular programs including clubs and athletic programs.
• Assist with coordinating school and community use of facilities and fields.
• Set building-level priorities in the context of community and district priorities and student/staff needs.
• Support the principal in leading staff, students and community in efforts to establish a positive school climate.
• Lead and support a school culture where students, parents, classified staff, and certificated staff value all people: people of diverse backgrounds, people of diverse economic situations, and people of diverse cultural groups; value each member’s contribution to the school community.
• Assist with efforts to improve practices that promote attendance, good conduct, health, and safety of students.
• Lead or actively participate in district-wide curriculum committee work, grade level teams, community meetings, and parent groups to achieve specific objectives as directed by the teaching and learning directors, assistant superintendent or superintendent.
• Assist the administrative team in interpreting and implementing Board policies and administrative regulations.
• Provide leadership in student management, including the areas of student attendance, discipline and supervision.
• Coordinate school programs, including inter-district transfer, BECCA, drill schedules, safety programs, exchange students, and other programs as assigned.
• Actively participate and serve on the district Leadership Council.
• Be proactive in holding students and staff, in following school and district policies and procedures.
• Assist the principal with developing communications/publications.
• Participate in screening, selection, training, assignment, and reassignment of school staff.
• Maintain visibility in classrooms, hallways, and common areas during the school day and at school events.
• Communicate effectively and efficiently with students, parents, staff, and community members.
• Evaluate personnel as assigned.
• Provide instructional leadership in the areas of TPEP and CCSS.
• Assist with the IEP process as needed to support our Special Education Program.
• Assist in coordinating the school’s extracurricular and co-curricular programs.
• Fulfill other responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in Educational Administration or related field. Current, or ability to obtain, Washington State Principal Certificate and/or Professional Administrator certificate.
• Five or more years of teaching and/or administrative experience at the secondary level. (If currently holding an out of state certificate, must have a minimum of three years in the administrative role at the P-12 level from that state.)
• Willingness and flexibility to be present at a wide variety of school athletic events and activities throughout the year.

 

CONTRACT

• 215 day contract; job responsibilities will commence July 1, 2025

COMPENSATION

Base pay: $137,589-$162,355 depending upon experience. Competitive benefits, supplemental compensation for PhD/EdD, and annual reimbursement for professional growth.

 

TIMELINE

• Position opening announced............................... February 3, 2025
• Application Deadline............................................12:00 a.m., February 17, 2025
• Anticipated Interviews.........................................Week of February 24, 2025

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS/ATTACHMENTS

• Completed online administrative application
• Letter of application addressing desired performance abilities
• Resume
• Four current letters of recommendation to include immediate supervisor, staff member, colleague
• Unofficial transcripts from most recent educational institution
• Principal certificate
• Please upload a written response to the following questions:
  1. Articulate your vision for student engagement and belonging through high quality instruction at Westwood Middle School.
  2. Tell us about how you have built relationships with students and families through discipline learning experiences. How have you partnered with families and built upon student strengths to support growth in behaviors?

 

Cheney Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, economic status, pregnancy, familial status, marital status, disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions: Title IX/Chapter 28A.640 Officer/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/ADA Coordinator - Tom Arlt, Assistant Superintendent, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd. Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4550; Section 504 Coordinator - Franklin Day, Director of Student Support Services, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd., Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4507.

 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER