School Turnaround Principal

School Turnaround Principal

Petersburg City Public Schools seeks a dynamic, experienced educational leader to serve as the transformational turnaround principal. This role requires a visionary to lead initiatives to create an inclusive, innovative, and student-centered learning environment. The principal will be responsible for driving school improvement efforts, enhancing student achievement, and empowering faculty and staff through collaborative leadership. Hiring a strong teaching and support staff.

A strong commitment to data-driven decision-making and active engagement with the school community is essential for success.

Essential Job Functions:

• Develop and implement a vision for school transformation that aligns with district goals, focusing on academic excellence.
• Lead strategic initiatives to raise student achievement and create a student-centered environment that prioritizes teaching and learning and builds a culture of excellence and accountability for all.
• Inspire and motivate staff, students, and the community to embrace change, setting clear, ambitious goals to drive continuous improvement.
• Instructional Leader - Being visible in classrooms and learning spaces to observe instruction and provide impactful feedback to teachers.
• Oversee the curriculum to ensure rigor, relevance, and alignment with state standards, encouraging innovative teaching practices.
• Utilize data-driven decision-making to identify trends in student achievement and create action plans that address performance gaps and improve student outcomes.
• Partner with instructional staff to introduce and support effective teaching methods, integrate technology, and ensure that all students have the resources to succeed.
• Ability to make and enforce difficult decisions.
• Lead a dynamic, skilled team by recruiting, developing, and retaining high-quality teachers and support staff committed to the school's transformation.
• Implement a robust professional development plan that equips faculty with skills to support a growth-oriented school culture and builds the professional capacity of all staff members.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable work environment where faculty are encouraged to innovate, reflect, and continuously improve their practice with a focus on results.
• Build strong relationships with parents, community members, and local organizations to garner support and create partnerships that benefit the school.
• Engage families in the school's transformation process by facilitating open communication, providing regular updates, and inviting feedback.
• Organize community events and opportunities that reinforce the school's mission, promote transparency, and strengthen community trust.
• Oversee budgeting and resource allocation to ensure that funding is strategically aligned with the school's transformational goals.
• Manage operational processes such as scheduling, facilities upkeep, and student behavior and services to support a conducive learning environment that is free from disruption.
• Ensure compliance with district policies, state regulations, and safety protocols, maintaining high standards for student and staff welfare.

Job Specifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required):

• Visionary and innovative thinker with a passion for positive, lasting change.
• Exceptional communicator with the ability to build rapport across diverse stakeholders.
• High level of emotional intelligence, resilience, and adaptability.
• Committed to the principles of equity, inclusivity, and integrity in education.
• Strategic planning, transformational leadership, data analysis, communication, collaborative problem-solving, and proficiency in educational technology.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to take independent initiative, while committing to collaboration.
• Demonstrated cultural proficiency and ability to lead others in conversations of race and culture.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of, and demonstrated ability to connect with the ethnic background of students and families served.
• Stays informed of developments and research pertaining to effective schools.
• Possess knowledge and effective skills in curriculum development, instructional practices, and interpretation of test data.
• Possess the ability to assist with administering and managing the operation of a middle school.
• Possess the ability to plan and supervise the work of others.
• Possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, staff, and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education:
  
  Masters degree in School Administration, Educational Leadership or closely related field from an accredited college/university and licensure as a building level principal.
• Experience:
  
  A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in school leadership roles, including a proven track record of successfully implementing school-wide change or improvement, preferred.
• Certification and License:
  Virginia Postgraduate Professional License or eligibility for Virginia licensure is…