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, 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
• Coordinates 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.
• Serves as a member of the Superintendent's Leadership Team (“the Executive Team”).
• Performs such other tasks and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Superintendent or Senior Deputy Superintendent of Academics

Qualifications - Required:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in urban education
• Minimum of 5 years in a senior level leadership in a school district, school, or organization, with experience establishing systems in schools and/or management experience in education strategy development and implementation
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of school administration
• Experience in project management, including the ability to identify, develop, and deploy resources across multiple initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to manage a multi-million dollar budget and staff
• Strong interpersonal and communication experience
• Management and supervisory experience
• Effective in team-based organizations
• Proficiency with databases, Google Suite
• Experience working effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Valid DESE certification for Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent or eligible to obtain one within first year of employment
• Current authorization to work in the United States - Candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment

Qualifications - Preferred:

• Doctorate degree in Education or related field
• Minimum of 7 years experience in school administration including knowledge of academic and accountability testing
• Previous experience as a school leader and/or principal supervisor
• Strong problem solving and mediation abilities
• Able to successfully navigate within varying degrees of ambiguity in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to create and maintain strong community collaborations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership qualities, interpersonal skills and personal characteristics necessary for working effectively with a variety of groups and community based organizations, leaders, advocates, teachers, principals, and others
• Ability to manage multiple streams of work in a fast-paced, high-pressure setting
• Demonstrated ability to make/effect change in a large institution
• An understanding of and commitment to gain greater understanding of what is necessary for an urban school system to enjoy continuous improvement in an increasingly complex and competitive environment. 
• A deeply held and unyielding belief in the overarching mission of public education.

TERMS: Managerial, F101. City of Boston Residency is Required. 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.