Principal, Saddle Mt. Elementary, Grades 1-3

WAHLUKE SCHOOL DISTRICT #73

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

PRINCIPAL, SADDLE MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, GRADES 1-3

Elementary Principal; Saddle Mt. Elementary

Announcement

The Board of Directors of the Wahluke School District is seeking qualified applicants to apply for the position of Elementary Principal to begin July 1, 2025. Applications received by February 20, 2025 will receive priority consideration.

Assignment Summary___________________

Serve as a building leader responsible for all student and building issues. Provide leadership to build and sustain a culture conducive to continuous improvement for students and staff and maximize student learning. Responsible for the quality of the school's climate and the conditions for learning. Responsible to support social-emotional learning, PBIS, and student success using Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). Support teacher development using the 5D evaluation protocols. All administrative staff provide expertise and guidance in the infusion of technology in the educational program. Develop and maintain positive rapport with students, staff, parents, and the community to build a structure of relationships so that all children have equitable access to the opportunity to learn. Build, articulate, and communicate a vision of the school’s direction. Must be able to identify and strengthen related supports to improve student achievement using data and enhancing parent and family engagement. Provide staff development to enhance staff abilities to meet diverse learning needs and promote staff and student recognition. Ensure management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, equitable, and effective learning environment. Act with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to; collaboration in the design and implementation of district initiatives, student attendance, discipline, staff supervision, extra-curricular supervisor, leader of SIP development and implementation; building/safety issues, building ASB responsibilities, overall day-to-day operation of the school. Serve as a member of the Administration Team. Provide and maintain accurate records and reports as required by law and district operations. Other responsibilities to meet goals and mission of the school and district.

Saddle Mt. Elementary School

Saddle Mt. has 32 members of the teaching staff and 18 support staff with a student enrollment of 471. Saddle Mt. Elementary offers many academic and program opportunities to prepare our students for success including Bilingual program, Migrant services, Highly Capable, Dual Language, Response to Intervention, Multi Tiered Services, PBIS, and Special Education services.

Wahluke School District

The Wahluke School District serves approximately 2,475 students in grades PreK-12. Our mission is "Every Student, Every Day". Enrollment is expected to continue to grow. There are seven schools within the District; Mattawa ECEAP & Migrant Preschool; Mattawa Elementary Gr TK/K; Saddle Mountain Elementary, Gr. 1-3; Morris Schott Elementary Gr. 4-5; Wahluke Junior High serves students in grades 6-8, Wahluke High School serves grades 9-12, and Sentinel Tech Alternative School serves 6-12. District employs 156 certified staff members and 192 classified employees. The school campus includes 100 acres located close to the Columbia River and backed by the Saddle Mountains. The district is proud of our educational facilities, excellent learning spaces, hardworking staff, and supportive community.

The District has a growing Hispanic population, which has promoted cultural diversity and opportunities. The Wahluke District has committed itself to provide a quality and equitable educational experience for all of its students and has developed many innovative programs and initiatives to meet the needs of its diverse student population. We are frequently complimented on how well behaved the students are and the excellent programs we have in place.

About the Community

Mattawa, and the neighboring community of Desert Aire, enjoy a rural setting in the geographic center of Yakima, Tri-Cities, Ellensburg and Moses Lake. The rural setting offers a quality of life that is hard to find elsewhere. The District encompasses a diverse area of agriculture, recreation and technology. The area boasts two hydroelectric dams. It is the third largest apple growing area in the state and has gained recognition as a prime vineyard region as well. The area is proud of the ready availability of hunting, game fishing, boating, skiing and the 18-hole golf course at Desert Aire.

Programs and Opportunities in Wahluke

• All students and staff have individual technology to fully integrate technology into our educational process. The District also uses other technology devices to enhance learning.
• Computer network and wireless capability to all workstations
• Summer programs offered
• GEAR-UP and STEM programs
• STEM specialists added to Elementary schools.
• MTSS Specialist
• Language Academy for qualifying students
• District initiative and training to assist with English Language Learners
• CTE program and pathways for grades 7-12
• 21st Century Community Learning Center
• Professional Learning Communities
• Additional time scheduled for collaborative work.
• District initiatives include: AVID, Language Development, STEM, PBIS/MTSS, PLC's

Saddle Mt. Elementary School Challenges

• Ensure the academic improvement of all students.
• Retain and improve instructional staff by providing appropriate and challenging development opportunities.
• To ensure language learners obtain English at a level to be successful.
• Provide a safe and caring environment.
• To address the issues of cultural, social and economic diversity and ensure that every child has an equitable opportunity for success.
• Successfully implement the integration of technology in the classroom to increase student achievement

Wahluke School District Goals:

• Every student will improve their level of academic achievement.
• Language learners will learn English at a level to be successful.
• The District will improve the instructional staff by quality hiring, training, and retention practices.
• All resources will be managed for the greatest good for students and taxpayers.
• Engage all District and community stakeholders in strategic ways for student success.
• All students will be involved with character building activities.

Experience and Education:

• Valid Washington State Principal Certification and teaching certificate.
• Master's degree in Educational Administration or related field is preferred.
• Successful elementary level Principal experience or comparable experience preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years successful elementary teaching experience preferred.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the District may find appropriate and acceptable.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Qualities - The requirements listed are a representative sampling of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required

• Desire to achieve outstanding results and the task-oriented actions required for success.
• Ability to motivate and influence the thinking and behavior of others to obtain desired results.
• Competent problem solver - including analysis of data to inform decisions, making clear logical plans that people can follow.
• Ability to create and sustain the qualify of the school's climate and the conditions of learning.
• Self Confident - staying visibly focused, committed, and self-assured despite the challenges of department improvement efforts.
• Knowledge and understanding of CEL 5D teaching development and evaluation. Stage 1 & 2 training preferred.
• Professional knowledge and skills to build a structure of relationships so all children have the opportunity to learn and achieve their potential.
• Skills and ability to successfully implement and maintain a comprehensive educational technology program.
• An individual with proficient skill and knowledge in using educational technology.
• Knowledge of and capability to develop and implement programs to meet State and District academic requirements and goals.
• Successful experience improving student learning and instruction by participating in building/district walk-throughs, feedback, coaching cycles, and data analysis.
• Experienced and willing to present effective professional development to certified and classified staff.
• Experience implementing successful instructional strategies to English language learners and understanding of ELL instructional and educational needs.
• Evidence of successful collaborative work with Administrative teammates.
• Experience and desire to meet the needs of at risk students, including students of poverty.
• Must have understanding and knowledge of the characteristics of a rural, growing, diverse educational program.
• Desire to become civically engaged and live in our community.
• High level of personal energy, a positive outlook, approachable, visible, accessible, individual who demonstrates honesty, integrity, fairness and a sense of humor.
• A caring individual, who respects, values and places the academic needs of all students as the priority of the school district.
• Provide leadership in developing the necessary climate for change and growth within the school.
• An excellent listener and communicator who staff, students and parents to participate in school related matters.
• Provide strong and positive educational leadership in organizing, developing and administering the instructional program.
• An educational leader who promotes success for students by ensuring management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient and effective learning environment.
• Capable of hiring, assigning, evaluating, and supervising all personnel.
• Attend trainings in and out of district that support district initiatives. Ability and willingness to attend trainings/conferences that may require distant and/or overnight travel.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective discipline in the school and promote a positive school climate.
• Capable of setting direction, articulating a vision, establishing high performance expectations and gaining group acceptance of goals.
• A people developer-motivating, supporting and challenging employees.
• Bilingual Spanish highly preferred.

Contract Provisions

Placement will be on the District Principal/Administrator Salary Schedule. Contracts begin July 1st, 215 working days, 5 TRI days, ability to work twelve additional compensated days.

Benefits: Medical Dental Vision and disability offered by SEBB; Personal Days; AWSP membership; Cell Phone Stipend; Longevity incentive earned; employee VEBA medical contribution plan;

Application Process

Electronic application available on our website at www. wahluke.net. Questions regarding the application may be addressed to Liz Leitz, Human Resources, at (509) 932-4565, ext #3051

Position open until filled. Applications received by February 20, 2025 will receive priority consideration.

A completed application will include the following:

• A letter of interest
• Copy of Administrative Certificate
• A completed district electronic Principal Application form.
• A Resume
• Three current letters of recommendation (one by evaluator).
• A statement that explains how the candidate’s personal and professional qualifications prepare him/her to meet the Mattawa Elementary School desired qualifications and challenges.

To be considered, an applicant must have all materials on file.

The Wahluke School District complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation including gender identity or expression, national origin, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, age, or honorably discharged veteran or military status. This holds true for all programs and services. The District provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to Liz Leitz, Equity and Civil Rights at lleitz@wahluke.net; Jose Espindola, Title IX Director at jespindola@wahluke.net or Gigi Calaway at gcalaway@wahluke.net, Section 504/ADA coordinator at (509)932-4565.