Mount Vernon Schools
124 East Lawrence Street | Mount Vernon, WA 98273 |
QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree in educational administration or related field
Washington State principal certification
Three years of successful teaching/certificated experience at secondary level
Five years of successful secondary administrative school‐based experience preferred
Commitment to social justice and equity
Experience with Dual Language & ESL programs preferred
Bilingual/Bicultural candidates encouraged to apply
RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS
Lead and support the creation and implementation of a unifying vision for Mount Vernon High School
Supervise and evaluate instruction practices with high expectations that results in powerful teaching and learning
Demonstrate a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusionary practices
Ability to develop, implement and engage staff in ongoing professional development with a focus on improving student learning.
Prioritize and utilize fiscal resources, time and expertise to address identified school goals
Collaborate with student, staff, parents and community groups
Maintain visibility in classrooms, around the school and at school/community events
Communicate, mediate and problem solve with students, staff, parents and community
Inspire school spirit and advocate for Mount Vernon High School
Establish a school climate that promotes equal opportunity for students, encourages respectful behaviors, and promotes a growth mind‐set
Demonstrate an understanding of diverse cultures and backgrounds of our students and families
Develop and supervise teams of staff within a high school setting; guide teams to establish and achieve goals
Foster distributive leadership opportunities among teachers and support staff
Promote culturally responsive instruction and leadership
Manage multiple budgets, master scheduling, and computer technologies to enhance classroom instruction
Promote the AVID Program and related instructional strategies
Use data, experience, and sound methodology to make quality equity‐based decisions
Solve problems with effective solutions, appropriately incorporating multiple inputs to establish shared ownership and effective action
Strive for results and persevere in the face of resistance, pushback, or setbacks
Establish and maintain trust in the school community at large, by remaining direct and truthful, presenting accurate information in an appropriate and helpful manner, keeping confidences; admitting mistakes; and remaining warm and easy to approach
Build and encourage collaborative, respectful and authentic relationships
Demonstrate integrity, honesty and a willingness to listen to others
Use diplomacy and tact to diffuse tense situations
Represent the school and district in the community at large through business partnerships and other public service activities; present effectively in both formal and informal presentation settings; command attention and manage group processes
Outstanding communication skills with the ability to build relationships with a wide range of constituents
Understand Washington political context and the skills to positively impact regional and state education policy
Consider divergent points of view and make systematic decisions that support student experiences
Possess a positive, energetic, innovative, caring, approachable demeanor with a sense of humor
Lead improvement processes that feature collaboration, consensus and community building
DESIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Creating a Culture
Develops and sustains a focus on a shared mission and clear vision for improvement of teaching and learning
Maintains high expectations for the achievement of all students, particularly underserved and marginalized student populations
Creates and sustains a school culture that values and responds to the characteristics and needs of each learner
Ensuring School Safety
Provides for social, emotional, intellectual and physical safety for students and staff
Promotes a climate of belonging, kindness, and acceptance, and respect
Planning with Data
Analyzes and interprets multiple data sources to inform school‐level improvement efforts with a focus on our most marginalized learners
Provides evidence of student growth that results from the school improvement planning process
Aligning Curriculum
Assists staff in aligning curriculum to local, state, and national standards
Supports staff in aligning assessment practices to standards and learning goals
Improving Instruction
Uses adopted instruction framework to monitor, develop, and support effective instruction and assessment practices
Assist staff in developing student growth plans and identifying reliable sources of evidence
Managing Resources
Manages self, human and fiscal resources in support of student achievement
Collaborates with staff to determine what resources and supports are needed to improve student achievement and outcomes
Engaging Students, Families, and Communities
Incorporates strategies that engage all student and families, particularly those that historically have been underserved
Engages with communities to promote a sense of belonging and relevant learning activities
Closing the Gap
Assesses student data and identifies barriers that contribute to the existence of achievement gaps in opportunity and achievement
Creates coherent plans that dismantle barriers and result in closing achievement gaps Ability to establish and maintain behavioral standards
Ability to lead and support improvement processes that feature effective professional development and that result in powerful instruction and high student achievement
Monitor, assist and evaluate staff implementation of the school improvement plan
Supervise and evaluate staff to improve teaching and learning
Manage human resources, time, and fiscal resources to accomplish student achievement goals
Positive, energetic, innovative, caring, approachable, with a healthy sense of humor
Bilingual/bicultural candidates encouraged to apply
COMPENSATION
The High School Principal is a 260‐day contract position which begins July 1. Compensation is based on the 2022‐2023 administrator’s salary schedule and benefits for a high school principal of $163,252.00 ‐ $183,738.00 annually.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Application is completed online. Follow the link to our application system: https://mountvernonjobs.myschooldata.net
Position closes April 8, 2022.
The following materials constitute a completed application file:
Completed Online Application
Letter of application addressing qualifications and primary responsibilities
Resumé of professional education, experiences and references
Written description of your vision of an effective high school principal which specifically addresses diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements of creating a culture of dignity and belonging
Three letters of recommendation
University transcripts (unofficial transcripts acceptable)
Copy of Washington State Administrator’s Certificate
ADDRESS YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS TO:
Jon Ronngren, Director, Personnel and Human Resources
Questions about the application process may be directed to Alexia Bautista, HR Specialist at (360) 428.6182 or abautista@mvsd320.org
ABOUT MOUNT VERNON SCHOOLS
The Mount Vernon School Board is committed to the goal that 100% of students graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in post‐secondary education, careers, and life. This goal permeates our work in the District across all schools and grade levels. It begins in the work we do with our current kindergartners, who represent the graduating class of 2034!
Located in the seat of Skagit County 60 miles north of Seattle, Mount Vernon is a growing and diverse school district that serves close to 7000 students attending nine schools grades pre‐ kindergarten‐12. Six elementary schools provide educational programs for students through grade
5. Two middle schools serve students in grades 6‐8. Mount Vernon High School is home to students in grades 9‐12. The District also operates three additional schools. We are the fiscal agent to the Northwest Career and Technical Academy, a skills center that serves students in Skagit and Whatcom Counties. We direct a large home/school partnership program and a secondary alternative school. With over 1,000 teachers, administrators and support staff, the District is the third largest employer in Skagit County.
Strong community support for our schools is a tradition in Mount Vernon. In 2016, the District passed a $106 million capital projects bond which permitted us to build a new elementary school (Rowley) and demolish and rebuild an existing elementary school (Madison). The bond is also supporting modernizations and enhancements on our high school campus and will fund additional classroom space at LaVenture Middle School. Last year, our community passed both our EPO Levy and our Technology and Security Levy.
Two significant initiatives support our 100% graduation goal. In May 2020, the School Board passed a racial equity policy. This policy emerged after four years of professional development for staff focused on equity. The policy promotes the continuation of this professional learning initiative and supports a dynamic action plan to improve systems and practices through the application of an equity lens. Secondly, the District is implementing a multi‐tiered system of support (MTSS) that features consistent elements in academic and social/emotional domains across all schools in Mount Vernon.
The Mount Vernon School District holds high expectations for students and staff and simultaneously provides strong collaboration, caring support and exciting professional learning opportunities. We invite you to join our team and enhance the work we do with the students in our care as we aspire to meet our 100% graduation goal.
OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY
OUR GOAL: 100% of students will graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in post‐secondary education, careers, and life.
OUR VISION: To graduate inspired and critical thinkers who embrace diversity and are committed to the betterment of their own lives and the lives of others.
OUR MISSION: To expect, encourage, and facilitate the pursuit of excellence and life‐long learning in our students, equipping them for future success and happiness.
“MVSD commits to eliminate all forms of discrimination and inequity in order to provide safe and productive learning opportunities for every student." –Mount Vernon School District Board Policy #1801
The Mount Vernon School District does not discriminate in employment, programs, or activities on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the District’s Title IX/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Bill Nutting, Assistant Superintendent, 124 E. Lawrence Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 (360)428‐6110; Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Clint Carlton, Director of Student Support Services, 920 S. Second Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 (360)428‐6141.