Assistant Superintendent of School Improvement Network A or B - (2 Position)

 Position Title: Assistant Superintendent of School Improvement Network (A or B)

Reports To: Superintendent

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Classification: Executive

Amount of Travel: Minimal 

Job Status: Full-Time

Level: District Administration 

Work Schedule: 245 Days

Date Created: March 2025

Salary Range: $64,473.68 - $91,423.68 Plus 45% Admin Index

Position Summary: The North Little Rock School District (NLRSD) is seeking exceptional applications for two Assistant Superintendents of School Improvement Network (A or B). These newly reorganized roles are responsible for the direct supervision and evaluation of school-based principals in a network of elementary and secondary schools. The ideal candidates will provide instructional and organizational leadership to school leaders, students, staff, and community stakeholders served by the NLRSD within each respective school network. The ideal candidates manage the network teams that support an assigned network of schools and other programs under the district's jurisdiction. The employees in these positions review administrative, staff, and school structures and systems to ensure that the educational needs of every student are efficiently articulated and maximized. Candidates in this assignment are a strong instructional and organizational leader with high ethical standards who focuses on developing extraordinary school leaders and programs and understands and models cultural competence. In addition, the individuals in these positions are highly skilled communicators who create connections and links between district leaders, staff, students, families, and community partners.

Specifically, the Assistant Superintendent of School Improvement Network (A or B) will develop, direct, and supervise a network of schools while responsible for implementing the district’s new vision and mission to improve student achievement within their assigned school network. Provides leadership coaching, professional development, and direct support to school-based administrators.  Responsible for directing and assisting principals and other school-based administrators with all aspects of teaching and learning. Through a lens of equity, structures, culture, and leadership, provides supervision of the general operation of an assigned network of schools with a focus on improved student performance and building the professional capacity of school-based leaders. Spends the majority of time in their assigned network of schools coaching principals and other school-based administrators for the purpose of developing and refining the skills needed to drive continuous improvement in teaching and learning.  Expected to be highly visible in their assigned network of school communities and to participate in community organizations, community functions, and extracurricular activities.

Essential Functions: The following duties are representative of performance expectations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The Assistant Superintendent of School Improvement Network (A or B) responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Directly reports to and works closely with the Superintendent of Schools. 
• Serves as a critical member of the Superintendent’s executive leadership team.
• Directly supervises a network of seven school principals organized in either School Network (A): Amboy ES, Indian Hills ES, Ridge Road ES, Pikeview Early Childhood Center, Boone Park ES, North Little Rock High School/Center Of Excellence, and North Little Rock Academy (Alternative Learning Environment) Program or directly supervises a network of seven school principals organized in School Network (B): Glenview ES, NLR 6 Academy of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Meadow Park ES, Crestwood ES, Lakewood ES, 6th Grade Campus, 7th & 8th Grade Campus. 
• Provides direct technical and instructional support to assigned school network principals and school-based administrators.  Supervises the work of school network principals, ensuring adherence to established policies, procedures, and standards; advises and assists subordinates, as necessary, resolving problems as situations arise. Spends the majority of working time in assigned network schools to help principals and assistant principals grow as instructional leaders.
• Serves as the school network's expert on developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating school improvement plans for accelerating academic achievement for every learner and eliminating all academic and behavioral gaps in alignment with the district’s new strategic plan goals and compliance with local, state, and federal policies and regulations. 
• Participates in budget decisions and support to network school principals.  Oversees expenditures for assigned network schools; demonstrates fiscal responsibility and ethical practices related to oversight of budgets, maintains an aligned instructional program that addresses state, local, and federal requirements to ensure academic achievement.
• Assists and supervises assigned network principals with developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating a school improvement plan for accelerating academic achievement for every learner and eliminating all academic and behavioral gaps in alignment with the district’s new strategic plan goals and compliance with local, state, and federal policies and regulations.
•  Effectively plans, develops, and facilitates high-quality, data-driven professional development for network principals and assistant principals.  Develops a plan for continuous professional learning for self, network principals, and aspiring leaders based on assessed need; researched-based best practices; trends in educational technology; curriculum, instruction, and assessment; and innovative practices in teaching and learning.
• Works collaboratively with the Assistant Superintendent of School Network Support Services to collaborate, plan, and address the specific needs of assigned schools within each network to target services for teachers, students, and their families with direct support. 
• Advises, interprets, and communicates policy/regulations, budget, school/district goals, and priorities for principals, teachers, community, and other district employees within the assigned network.  Establishes and monitors systems of accountability for job performance, community involvement, adherence to ethical practices, and compliance with local federal, and state policy/regulations for principals and other school-based administrators within assigned networks. 
• Uses school and district data to assist with planning, monitoring, and evaluating the performance of principals, teachers, and students for the purpose of achieving continuous improvement in all aspects of teaching and learning with a focus on accelerating academic achievement for every learner and eliminating all academic and behavioral gaps.
• Monitors school progress within the assigned network through feedback from students, teachers, principals, directors, superintendents, business leaders, consultants, and parents. Receives suggestions, advice, and general feedback on the operations of schools within assigned networks; helps ensure an open line of communication across the school system hierarchy, and between school networks and brings insight from all levels to incorporate in policy and decision-making.
• Demonstrates highly efficient time management and actively seeks ways to minimize disruption to school schedules and principal’s calendars by utilizing time in schools to engage and coach principals, other school-based administrators, and teachers in their natural setting within the assigned network; thus minimizing meetings and time outside of classrooms and schools.
• Actively participates in professional learning centered on improving principal effectiveness and student achievement (i.e., analyzing student performance data; observing classroom teaching and learning; understanding the shifts in state reform initiatives such as the LEARNS Act, conducting principal/administrator evaluations of assigned staff within the network. 
• Assists the Superintendent with prioritizing the work, professional development needs, staffing needs, and resource allocation for School Network A or B.  Assists and leads the process for recruiting, hiring, retaining, and promoting highly effective administrators and teaching staff in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Assists the Superintendent in implementing the Superintendent’s E4 the Future District Transformation Model vision aimed to create innovative school networks in new or creative ways to existing instructional and administrative practices that are intended to improve academic performance and learning for all students. 
• Assists principals and other school-based administrators with building and maintaining a positive school culture, especially during periods of change, and increasing accountability within assigned networks. 
• Provides leadership in organizational excellence by coaching principals in establishing and bringing to fruition the vision of the school in alignment with the new district strategic plan, building leadership capacity, employee commitment and competence, performance expectations and measures, change management, and implementation, and the alignment of budgets and expenditures to division priorities within assigned networks. 
• Provides leadership, direction, and active participation via delivery of professional development, analysis of school/district data, and in all principals’ meetings and works collaboratively with the Assistant Superintendent of School Network Support Services.
• Monitors education research, trends, and developments to support the development and evaluation of school staff and school improvement efforts within assigned networks.  Keeps current on national trends in the areas of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and the usage of data to improve instruction. 
• Serves as a liaison and provides support with the community and other stakeholders within the assigned networks to address curricular needs, interests, and concerns.  Publicly responds to concerns of the assigned network community regarding schools; coordinates with community agencies to address the problems and needs of schools and their students and families with wraparound services.  Assists principals and school staff within the assigned network while developing and maintaining positive and collaborative community interactions.
• Perform other related work as required and directed by the Superintendent. 

Competencies: Comprehensive knowledge of school-based administration; comprehensive knowledge of school district outcomes, procedures, and the network organization support model. Knowledge and ability to lead and coach principals to improve teaching and learning within the assigned network of schools. Ability to demonstrate strong internal and external support for the NLRSD. Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences. Excellent knowledge and understanding of all facets of public school operations. Knowledge and understanding of the change process, organizational development, conflict resolution, and facilitation skills. Highly effective organizational and consensus-building skills. Knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures of the NLRSD. Ability to conceptualize, initiate, monitor, and evaluate new and/or current programs to support assigned school networks. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Licensed Arkansas District Level Administrator (P-12) or meets qualifications and requirements for reciprocity or is eligible to hold appropriate licensure. 
• Doctoral degree in a related field of study is preferred. 
• Have a minimum of five (5) years’ experience as a central office district leader is preferred.  
• Have a minimum of eight (8) years of successful job performance in education including teaching, supervision, leadership, and administration. 
• Demonstrated success in leading large-scale systemic change with educational and organizational improvement initiatives. 
• Experience in project and process management, including the ability to identify, develop, and deploy resources across multiple initiatives. 
• Experience working in a highly collaborative environment where teamwork, creative problem-solving, and self-motivation are necessary for success. 
• Experienced leadership in an urban school district is preferred. 

Skills and Abilities Required: The following characteristics and physical skills are important for the successful performance of assigned duties. 

School Improvement and Instructional Leadership Knowledge and Expertise: 

• Knowledge and ability to dedicate time to helping principals grow as instructional leaders.
• Knowledge and ability to coach and support individual principals and engage in effective professional learning strategies to help principals grow as instructional leaders within assigned networks. 
• Knowledge and ability to use evidence of principals’ effectiveness to determine necessary improvements in principals’ practice to foster a positive educational environment that supports the diverse cultural and learning needs of students.
• Knowledge and ability to engage principals in the formal evaluation process in ways that help them grow as instructional leaders.
• Knowledge and ability to support assigned principals within the network with aligned school improvement plans to the district's strategic plan. 
• Knowledge and ability to engage in self-development and continuous improvement to help principals grow as instructional leaders. 
• Knowledge and ability to lead strategic change that continuously elevates the performance of schools and sustains high-quality educational programs and opportunities across the district.  
• Knowledge and ability to advocate for and inform the coherence of organizational vision, policies, and strategies to support schools and student learning. 
• Knowledge and ability to assist the district in ensuring the community of network schools with which they engage are culturally/socially responsive and have equitable access to resources and wraparound services necessary for the success of each student.
• Knowledge and ability to engage in their own development and continuous improvement to help principals grow as instructional leaders within assigned school networks. 
• Knowledge to lead strategic change that continuously elevates the improvement of schools within the assigned network and sustains high-quality educational programs and opportunities across the district.  

Work Environment: 

• Work is primarily conducted in a school setting.  Prolonged stationary work and attention to desk or computer tasks are required.  This position is cognitively demanding and requires especially well-developed professional social skills and communication skills.  Movement in and about schools and office buildings/grounds is a frequent requirement and the ability to carry or lift items 75 lbs. or less. 

Empathy and Commitment to Cause: 

• Deep commitment to improving student achievement and employee performance within the assigned network.
• Passionately believes that all students can achieve at high levels if given the right support and services. 
• Demonstrates cultural competence, equity, and a deep understanding of and empathy for issues facing minority and economically disadvantaged families and students requiring wraparound services. 

 Problem Solving and Systems Thinking: 

• Understands how various systems and departments interact to achieve district goals.
• Understands and believes in the school network support model.
• Makes decisions using data and technology.
• Takes initiative to solve problems and create stakeholder buy-in.
• Identifies and prioritizes mission-critical issues with alignment of people, time and resources within the assigned network. 
• Offer innovative solutions to seemingly intractable challenges. 
• Exhibits a strong focus on goals and results. Sets clear metrics for success.
• Removes barriers or obstacles within the network that make it difficult for principals to achieve their goals and ensures that school leaders have the resources they need to succeed.
• Demonstrates excellent execution and project management skills, including attention to detail, organizational skills, ability to balance the big picture with detailed steps to reach the end goal, and ability to balance multiple projects under tight deadlines.

 Leadership Skills: 

• Motivates, inspires and moves other adults to action to achieve ambitious goals within the assigned school network.
• Skilled at re-envisioning, building, and managing a team, especially in a time of growth and change; excellent at identifying talent and taking advantage of each person’s skills and contribution to team effort.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships with individuals and groups.
• Moves groups to consensus and resolves conflicts. Exhibits willingness to have difficult conversations.
• Builds coalitions and works collaboratively with diverse stakeholders at all levels, including but not limited to district personnel, students, families, communities, and/or advocacy groups.
• Establishes clear expectations, deliverables, and deadlines.
• Sets clear agendas and facilitates effective meetings.
• Ability to train, supervise, and evaluate staff from different cultural backgrounds and skill sets.
• Exhibits transformational and servant leadership characteristics in daily work. 

 Additional Responsibilities:

• Performs such other tasks and assumes such other roles and responsibilities as the Superintendent and or their designee may assign. 

Salary : $64,474 - $91,424