Description
South Whidbey School District No. 206
Job Description
TITLE: Elementary Principal, Grades ITK-5 and Alternative Learning Environment (ALE) 1-8
REPORTS TO: Superintendent
Position Purpose
Provide instructional leadership ensuring every student learns at the highest levels and embraces the heart of the South Whidbey Community. Lead the ITK-5 and ALE 1-8 programs with shared facilities between two adjacent buildings. Foster an environment characterized by high expectations, data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, cultural competence, and community embedded/place-based integration.
Essential Functions
This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.
Instructional Leadership
Establishes and maintains a clear mission and vision focused on high expectations for all students
Plans, implements, and evaluates instructional programs using assessment data to improve student learning
Facilitates Professional Development and implements rigorous standards-aligned curricula and assessments across ITK-5 and ALE programs
Leads inclusive programming for students receiving Special Education, English Language Learners, and Highly Capable Services
Designs and leads Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to address school-wide approaches to academic, social emotional, and behavioral interventions and enrichment
Develops and maintains a safe, cohesive learning community for diverse students
Develops and monitors School Improvement Plans to assist in establishing curriculum goals aligned with district-wide goals
Manager of Talent
Recruits, hires, trains, mentors, and evaluates all school staff
Increases teacher effectiveness through professional learning and rigorous supervision
Utilizes Professional Learning Communities to analyze data and inform instructional improvement
Provides regular, direct, actionable feedback to teachers regarding classroom practice
Monitors instruction using the districts instructional framework
Facilitates collaborative processes and staff development for continuous improvement
Equity Leadership
Identifies equity gaps for student groups and leads plans to eliminate them
Initiates activities and discussions that increase staff cultural competence and communities of care
Expands teaching practices to better serve all students
Ensures compliance with student discipline, emergency procedures, and building security
Community Leadership
Communicates school successes to the broader community
Creates partnerships fosters and grows programming enhancing the commitment to sea, forest, and farm and connections to outdoor education
Seeks out and applies for funding to bring additional resources into the school
Advocates for students, families, and staff
Effectively engages families and community members
Serves as liaison with parents, community, and school administration
Operations and Management
Plans, prepares, and monitors building budgets and expenditures
Maintains accurate personnel, student, and fiscal records
Collaborates with other building administrators on shared facilities, maintenance, and safety
Ensures compliance with district policies and state/federal requirements
Ensures all mandated reports are submitted accurately and on time
District Leadership
Collaborates with other principals and district administrators on ITK-12 program development
Serves as integral member of district administration team for daily, short-term, and long-range planning
Attends district administration meetings and coordinates special projects and committees
Monitors own performance and seeks feedback for professional improvement
Maintains current knowledge on educational issues and legal requirements
Performs other duties as assigned by the Superintendent
Requirements
Required Qualifications
Certificates and Licenses
Washington State Administrative Certificate with Principal endorsement
Valid Washington State teaching credential
Valid first aid and CPR certification
Valid Washington driver’s license or evidence of mobility
Experience
Successful administrative and teaching experience (elementary preferred)
School-wide behavioral positive behavioral interventions
Special Education Knowledge Oversight
Outdoor educational experience into the school setting
Required Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge
Local, state, and federal funding rules and regulations
Elementary school operations and requirements
Curriculum, instruction, and assessment best practices
Skills
Clear, effective oral and written communication
Curricular and instructional leadership
Program and staff evaluation
Personnel management and supervision
Conflict resolution and problem-solving
Budget planning and administration
Data analysis and data-driven decision-making
Technology proficiency
Abilities
Provide innovative and responsible leadership with integrity
Make timely, effective decisions and resolve complex issues
Work independently and collaborate effectively
Establish and maintain effective working relationships
Demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills
Physical Demands
The employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to handle objects, and reach with hands and arms. Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, and crouch. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Working Conditions
Work is typically performed in office and classroom environments. The employee is frequently required to attend evening and weekend meetings or activities and may need to deal with distraught or difficult individuals. May be exposed to standard infectious diseases. The noise level is usually moderate.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Evaluation
This position is evaluated by the Superintendent in accordance with AWSP guidelines. The evaluation includes performance of the above duties and responsibilities and specific professional objectives developed by the Superintendent and Principal.
Created January 2026
The South Whidbey School District #206 does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
Civil Rights Compliance, Title IX, Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator: Principal John Patton, 360-221-4300, jpatton@sw.wednet.edu. Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Superintendent Becky Clifford, 360-221-6100, bclifford@sw.wednet.edu, 5675 Maxwelton Road, Langley, WA 98260.
Title IX inquiries may also be directed to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html
Information about nondiscrimination and sex-based discrimination policies and grievance procedures: https://www.sw.wednet.edu/resources/title-ix
