Principal or Vice Principal Head of School
Job Description
Position: Kwiyagat Community Academy Head of School
Salary: $52,640-$55,482(depending on experience)
Job Type: Full-time, Public School Schedule
Location: Towaoc, Colorado
Position Closing Date: March 31, 2021 or until filled
About Us: Kwiyagat Community Academy is a first-year charter school in Towaoc, Colorado, home to the Nuchiu or Ute Mountain Ute people, in southwest corner of Colorado. The school is authorized by the Charter School Institute of Colorado as the first public charter school in the state on an Indian Reservation. The school will begin the first year of operations in August 2021 with the goal to enroll 30 students in grades K-1, then grow each year, adding approximately 15 students each year, until the school has 90 students in grades K-5.
Position Summary: The Board of Directors and School Design Team are seeking an energetic and passionate leader to guide this unique educational program. The school has a mission to ensure an educational program where the Ute culture and language guides the educational experience and is characterized by small class sizes with an interdisciplinary, indigenous, and project-based approach that results in students who achieve high academic expectations and desired character skills, personal wellness, and community involvement. The position starts July 1, 2021.
The Head of School will be responsible for all school operations, academic oversight, facility operation and growth, strategic planning, financial sustainability, and public relations and report to the KCA Board of Directors and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s Executive Director. The Head of School will be a Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Employee with generous health benefits and 401K package. More information can be found at the school’s website https://utekca.org/.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Developing school strategic plan consistent with school goals, including instructional coaching, community involvement and securing necessary resources for continuous improvement
- Overseeing all academic and educational programs, including coordinating Exceptional Student Services
- Providing on-going implementation, progress monitoring and evaluation of academic performance and programs
- Primary point of contact with Charter School Institute, Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Departments and other strategic partnerships
- Facilitate setting of agendas for monthly meetings with the KCA Board and Ute Mountain Ute Education Department and other on-going committees and consultants
- Ensuring that school building is clean and safe with continuous maintenance and plans for improvements as needed
- Working with Program Coordinator/Business Manager to ensure (1) high quality academic programs are maintained, (2) timely student and employee recruitment are initiated and completed, (3) relevant and regular student and community special events are scheduled and advertised effectively, (4) expenses do not exceed income and Board receives updated and accurate monthly expense reports, and (5) well considered agendas are planned and communicated for Board of Directors, committees, parent information nights, parent-teacher-student conferences, Presentations of Learning student/community events and other school-community meetings
- Develops partnerships to enhance learning opportunities aligned to school mission in the diverse cultural and natural environments in the Four Corners (Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona)
- Evaluate and recognize employees and contracted services with effective feedback and plans for improvement
- Coordinate and provide professional development activities
- Write grants, secure letters of support, seek additional funds through fundraising activities in collaboration with Tribal departments and strategic partners
- Enforces student discipline consistently and in alignment with state law and students’ rights and school mission
- Plans for and maintains technology needs
- Supervises the financial and business processes, procedures, systems, and controls of the school
- Creates the preliminary and revised annual budget for the school
Minimum Qualifications:
- BA or MA in Education, Educational Leadership, Special Education or related field
- At least three years of experience managing multiple projects and employees in a business and/or nonprofit and/or school or program or grade level leader in educational setting
- At least three years teaching and/or administration in public schools, coordinating programs and/or working with direct services with exceptional students
- Excellent organizational and communication skills
- Criminal background check with no references to convictions that would revoke a Colorado teaching or administrative license
Preferred Qualifications:
- Colorado Teaching License with K-12 Special Education license or agree to enroll in Special Education Alternative Licensure Program
- Colorado or New Mexico Principal License
- Experience working in Public Charter School(s)
- Successful grant writing and fundraising
- Experience developing and managing operating budgets, staffing patterns and student schedules
- Basic understanding of indigenous perspectives and willingness to learn more about Ute language and culture
How to Apply
Supplemental Information: Please send the following information and application materials to:- Online Ute Mountain Ute Employment Application
- Cover letter addressing how the applicant has the experience and is suitable for the position
- Resume outlining education, work experience and other experiences relevant to the position
- Answers to the following questions (no more than three 1.5 spaced pages):
- a, Describe your experience related commitment to Indigenous education, community engaged schooling, early literacy and project-based learning.
