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ReNEW Schools

Secondary Principal, 2026-2027

ReNEW Schools, Des Moines, Iowa, United States

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As of this posting, there are two anticipated Principal vacancies at the Secondary level for the 2026-2027 school year: Vashon High School and Roosevelt High School. Position Title:

Secondary School Principal

Payroll/Personnel Type:

12 Month

Reports to:

Network Superintendent

Shift Length:

8 Hours a Day

Union Eligibility:

Not Eligible

Salary starting at:

$120,000

Position Summary The principal performs duties required to lead and coordinate instructional, operational, administrative, and counseling activities of a traditional, blended, hybrid, or virtual school community, including general supervision of all employees assigned to that school; reports to the Network Superintendent; and is responsible for the achievement of Continuous School Improvement Plan goals. Some of the most important goals include, but are not limited to:

Maintain safe, secure, and supportive culturally responsive learning environment for students

Maintain instructional programs and procedures appropriate for a virtual, blended, hybrid, or traditional learning environment in support of increased academic performance for all students

Increase and sustain the utilization of technology and technology strategies to support student learning

Increase and sustain improvement in student state assessment scores and national standardized test scores in the core subject areas of reading, mathematics, science, and social studies

Increase student and staff attendance rates

Increase student academic proficiency as evidenced by mastery of district and state curriculum learning standards in coursework and on district-wide common formative and summative assessments

Increase graduation rates and course completion rates while decreasing disciplinary referrals, suspension rates, and rates of course failures

Maintain visible parent and community participation in school processes and activities

Ensure high level of satisfaction, sense of belonging, and professionalism with and among all staff

Essential Functions In order to achieve the above goals, the principal performs the activities listed below:

School Culture

Create a quality school improvement plan that focuses on teaching and learning goals and expectations for high academic expectations and outcomes for all students

Observe instruction and student culture to determine high-leverage action steps for teachers and provide coaching in order to facilitate continuous growth in management and instruction

Supervise, assess, and evaluate all components of the instructional process, including regular teacher evaluations

Develop, evaluate, and coordinate school objectives and educational programs to ensure conformance to appropriate standards and achievement of goals

Use data to determine and develop professional development for whole staff, small group, and individual professional growth

Develop positive student and staff rapport and maintain visibility throughout school while establishing a climate of belonging, respect, and high expectations for all

Academic Leadership

Motivate and mobilize staff toward fulfilling the school vision, strategy, and goals of increasing measurable student performance across content areas

Demonstrate a deep knowledge of reading and literacy skills and strategies pivotal to student academic success across content areas

Develop new school-level procedures, and guidelines as needed to stay aligned with district policies.

Develop and implement plans to ensure regular attendance by staff and students

Lead school team via coaching, professional development, management, and evaluation to implement a culture of high academic expectations and outcomes for all students

Build and implement school-wide systems to support a culture of high expectations, including student-level, class-level, and school-level routines procedures

Demonstrate deep content knowledge about school climate and student culture, including discipline, trauma-informed approaches, and culturally responsive practices

Use data to ensure all students receive equitable supports

Partner with teachers, students, and parents to identify and plan corrective action for educational, attendance, and behavioral issues

Hold and model the belief that all students can reach ambitious goals

Set and achieve ambitious goals to ensure all students are prepared for the next level of learning

Community and Relationship-Building

Establish and maintain relationships with other schools, organizations, and district departments to coordinate services

Engage families and the community in school processes and develop a comprehensive school communication strategy inclusive of families and community members

Demonstrate awareness and respond appropriately to ongoing national, regional and local changes that may affect the school environment and operations: social, economic, legal and/or cultural in nature

Serve as liaison between the school and local law enforcement and social service agencies as needed.

Management and Operations

Develop a recruitment plan to ensure sustainability and growth of student population

Organize and administer the school in conformance with the policies of the Board of Education and administrative guidelines of the Superintendent of Schools

Plan, supervise, direct, and manage the daily operation of the school in conformance with local, state, and federal law and in conformance with district policies, procedures, and guidelines

Supervise all school personnel, directly or indirectly, to include training, analyzing and resolving work problems, and assisting in solving work problems

Collaborate with human resources staff to select and retain staff

Plan and prepare the school budget to ensure appropriate funding is obtained and monitor expenditures to ensure budget compliance

Monitor volunteer programs where beneficial to the school

Ensure appropriate supervision of extracurricular activities during and outside the regular school day

Collaborate with facilities staff to ensure proper maintenance and safety of the school building and grounds

Perform other duties or special projects as assigned or as needed to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the school

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Collaborate with others to create a compelling shared vision, strategies, and goals for school success

Communicate effectively and persuasively in writing, in one-on-one communications, in meetings, and in large group presentations

Collaborate effectively with organizations in the community and relate to the public in a positive and constructive manner (e.g., parents, interest groups, supporters, government agencies)

Use a data-driven approach to assess and make decisions for improving student achievement, employee performance, and school operations

Establish and manage projects to successful completion

Demonstrate effective talent management practices, including: selection, staffing, supervision, performance appraisal, performance recognition, staff development and promotion

Lead change initiatives that ensure sustainability

Establish and maintain effective working relationships

Demonstrate critical thinking skills when reviewing data and addressing issues that involve both abstract and concrete variables

Surface problems, initiate action, and solve problems in a timely manner

Ensure equity among programs and learning opportunities for staff, students, and parents

Demonstrate appreciation for and sensitivity to diversity

Ensure effective performance management and staff development practices for all school staff are in place

Demonstrate initiative and follow-through of own professional development plans

Demonstrate emotional intelligence, integrity, fairness, and ethical behavior

Execute all school-related policies, procedures, and guidelines

Execute all school-related legal requirements

Exhibit strong knowledge of auxiliary programs, processes and needs (e.g., transportation, food services, maintenance, and facilities’ management)

Exhibit knowledge of school, federal, state and local fiscal management policies and practices

Value behaviors, traditions etc. associated with different cultures

Exhibit knowledge of state, federal and board guidelines related to curriculum development

Utilize modern office practices, procedures, and equipment

Experience

Minimum of four full years of experience as a full-time certified educator in a PreK-12 setting

Minimum of three years of instructional leadership experience which may include instructional coaching, supervision, and evaluation of educators in a PreK-12 setting

Education

Master’s Degree in Education

Missouri Administrator Certificate (required): School Leader K-12, or Principal 7-12

To be offered a contract as a principal with SLPS, candidates must have a full, valid and/or transferrable administrator license when applying. Candidates who will be eligible for a MO administrator license on or before July 1 are encouraged to apply and may be considered on a case-by-case basis contingent upon licensure

Physical Requirements

Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle

Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, and pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body

Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree

Working Conditions and Environment

Work is routinely performed in a typical interior/office environment

Very limited or no exposure to physical risk

Disclaimer

The information in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

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