Chief of Schools (SY24-25)

Overview :

Boston Public Schools serves 49,000 children in 114 schools. We fundamentally believe that schools are the unit of change where our school leadership teams and educators create rigorous, supportive, and safe environments for every child to reach their full potential. Our work as a district is to ensure this is possible at every one of our schools.

Boston Public Schools (BPS) is looking for a dynamic, experienced professional for the job of Chief of Schools. The Chief of Schools primary responsibility will be to ensure significant student achievement gains at the school level as measured by district and state identified school improvement data. The Chief of Schools will be responsible for analyzing and using multiple sources of data to guide the continuous improvement of all schools. This position will serve as a member of the Superintendent’s Executive Team.

BPS seeks an experienced, results-oriented, dynamic, and solutions-oriented leader. We seek someone with a management style that prioritizes development of school and district office leaders, accountability, strong relationship building skills, and a track record of creating and implementing systems and strategies with tangible and measurable results. We seek a leader who has extensive familiarity with the challenges and opportunities of urban school systems. This position requires continuous use of independent judgment. The essential responsibilities below represent only the key areas of responsibility.

Boston Public Schools is committed to ensuring every student in every classroom accesses the lessons and support needed to succeed in school and develop into an informed and engaged citizen. The Chief of Schools will ensure we have the people, plans, and resources to achieve that vision. An excellent candidate will have a deep belief in equitable schools and closing opportunity gaps.

REPORTS TO : Senior Deputy Superintendent of Academics

RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Supervise and lead the Division of Schools, including the supervision of the Regional School Superintendents.
• Lead the change management process, which focuses on transforming schools resulting in a dramatic increase in student achievement with particular attention to the achievement and opportunity gaps.
• Cultivate the instructional leadership capacity of Regional School Superintendents and School Leaders in order to strengthen educators’ instructional practices across the district.
• Develop and lead a rigorous process for continuous improvement school by school that results in improved social emotional and academic outcomes for each student.
• Ensure alignment between the BPS Strategic Plan and individual school’s quality school plans.
• Drive the successful integration of evidence-based strategies to ensure continued improvement of all schools.
• Work with district office staff and School Leaders to monitor school improvement plans and make adjustments accordingly as informed by progress monitoring.
• Lead the development of a strategic, coherent system of professional development and professional learning in the areas of leadership, school improvement planning, instructional leadership, and performance evaluation.
• Coordinate with District staff to provide tools, services, and strategies for differentiated school level support for School Leaders and instructional leadership teams that drive school improvement.
• Support the differentiated professional development of district staff within the Division of Schools to ensure they have the skills and dispositions to select, support, develop, coach and evaluate principals.
• Ensure that support, professional learning, management, coaching, and mentorship of School Leaders is effective and drives significant social emotional and academic outcomes for each student.
• Create supportive, collaborative and effective communication channels between district office staff and School Leaders.
• Establish and maintain clear, consistent interactions with parents, families and community partners to receive input and feedback on the effectiveness of our schools and to resolve concerns.
• Be personally informed and keep direct reports informed of current educational trends, practices, and proposed legislation impacting schools.
• Work in partnership with the Chief of Staff & Executive Team to ensure each division can collaborate, collectively problem solve and strategically plan to support schools across the district.
• Ensure adherence to procedures for effective external and internal communication between and among the School Committee, district staff, media, community members, other governmental organizations, and the public.
• Review, develop, and recommend district policies and procedures in collaboration with the Superintendent, School Committee, and divisions.
• Serve as a member of the Superintendent's Leadership Team (“the Executive Team”).
• Perform such other tasks and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Superintendent or Senior Deputy Superintendent of Academics.

Qualifications - Required :

Qualifications - Preferred :

TERMS : Managerial, F101. 12-month work year. Occasional evening and weekend work.

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, employment, or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex / gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

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