Principal Gillett Middle School (6th-8th)

One time hiring Stipend up to $15,000 based on experience. Salary is based on the district compensation plan and will be commensurate with experience and qualifications for the position.

Primary Purpose


Provide instructional leadership, administrative direction, and strategic campus management to ensure high levels of academic achievement, positive school culture, and efficient operations for all students and staff at the middle school level.

Position Summary


The Kingsville Independent School District (KISD) is seeking dynamic and visionary leaders to join our elite team of educators, driving the most comprehensive public education transformation effort. The Principal - Middle School serves as the chief instructional leader and campus manager responsible for implementing district vision and goals; developing staff; ensuring a safe, inclusive learning environment; engaging families and community. The principal will monitor continuous improvement aligned to Kingsville ISD priorities to narrow achievement gaps and prepare students for the workplace. The principal will build a team of high-performing teachers and support staff, using proven best practices for teaching and learning focused on instructional leadership and fostering student success.

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, or related field.
• Valid Texas principal certification (Principal as Instructional Leader or equivalent) as required by TEA.
• Evidence of instructional leadership expertise, including data-driven decision-making and curriculum alignment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of middle grades pedagogy, adolescent development, and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS).

Illustrative Duties

• Possesses a moral and ethical compass.
  • Demonstrates a heart and passion for leadership and continuous improvement.
  • Identifies, mentors, and inspires excellence in instructional and non-instructional staff.
  • Exhibits flexibility, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace change.

Special Knowledge and Skills

• Deep understanding of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and intervention for grades 6-8.
• Effective interpersonal skills and willingness to work collaboratively with principals and instructional leadership teams.
• Effective coaching, problem solving and conferencing skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to professional growth and learning.
• Demonstrated effectiveness as a professional role model.
• Demonstrated use of high yield instructional strategies and scientifically researched based instruction.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities.
• Assists campuses with the improvement of instruction in areas identified as deficient by the TAPR, and District assessments.
• Implement training for administrators and instructional leadership teams on district initiatives including best practices in school improvement.
• Provides follow-up and coaching activities to principals and instructional leadership teams that are designed to ensure effective implementation of district/school leaning goals.
• Facilitates curriculum development centered on the district school improvement initiatives.
• Provides coaching and mentoring to principals in leadership development.
• Effectively communicates findings and progress to Assistant Superintendents regarding campuses in improvement.
• Facilitates research-based instructional practices.
• Assist campuses with the alignment of instructional and budgetary resources for school improvement.
• Knowledgeable in mentoring and coaching strategies.
• Ability to lead PLCs, and observation/feedback aligned to state standards.
• Understanding of data as a basis for analysis and instruction.
• Expertise with campus improvement planning, goal setting, and progress monitoring.
• Knowledge of special education, Section 504, English learners, gifted/talented, and MTSS processes.
• Skilled in positive behavior interventions and supports restorative practices.
• Strong talent management: recruiting, hiring, onboarding, evaluating, and developing staff.
• Budgeting, scheduling, staffing, and school operations management.
• Family and community engagement; culturally responsive leadership.
• Clear, timely communication; conflict resolution; collaborative problem solving.
• Technology integration and data systems (e.g., SIS, assessment dashboards).

Experience

• Minimum three (3) years successful classroom teaching experience required, middle school experience preferred.
• Minimum two (2) years campus- or district-level leadership experience (e.g., assistant principal, instructional coach, dean) Required.
• Demonstrated success, improving student outcomes and closing achievement gaps.

Major Responsibilities and Duties

1. Selects, mentors, evaluates, and retains a highly effective instructional staff.
2. Assures the effective implementation of the school improvement plan that includes measurable long-term goals and short-term objectives as well as aligned strategies and activities.
3. Monitors school performance using lesson observation and other forms of qualitative and quantitative data.
4. Instructional Leadership: Set a compelling vision for teaching and learning; ensure standards-aligned curriculum, high-quality instruction, and data-informed interventions.
5. Personnel Management:

• Recruit, recommend, develop, and retain high-performing staff.
• Conduct observations and appraisals.
• Provide coaching and professional learning.

1. Experience in planning and presenting staff development.
2. School Culture & Climate: Foster an inclusive, safe, and respectful environment; implement PBIS/restorative practices; celebrate student and staff achievements.
3. Operations & Finance: Develop and manage campus budget, master schedule, staffing allocations, and compliance requirements; maintain facilities and safety protocols.
4. Family & Community Partnerships: Organize, communicate and build strong public relationships with families, community organizations, and business partners to support student success.
5. Compliance & Accountability: Ensure adherence to school district policies, TEA regulations, federal/state school laws, board policies, and district procedures; maintain accurate records and timely reports.

Position Requirements

• Maintain all required certifications and annual training courses.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends for school events.
• Reliable, regular attendance and adherence to ethical standards and district policies.
• Develop and implement strategic plans.
• Increase student achievement and attendance.
• Strengthen instructional quality and opportunities.
• Provide a safe and orderly learning environment.
• Ensure readiness for post-secondary success.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, Board policies, and district initiatives.
• Communicates, collaborates, and builds strong relationships with teachers, staff, students, and parents.
• Community and business partners.
• Other members of the school and district community.
• Selects, mentors, and retains a high-quality school staff.
• Manages quality data systems, balanced budgets, and operational controls aligned with instructional priorities.
• Creates a high-performance culture where teachers receive consistent, real-time coaching and support.
• Reinforces KISD's vision for high-quality instruction in every classroom, every day.
• Ensures efficient and effective management of time, including school openings, closings, and punctuality in all operations.

Organizational Improvement

• Manages quality data systems, balance budgets and operation controls alight with instructional priorities.
• Demonstrate leadership by creating a high-performance culture where teachers receive consistent, real-time coaching and support.
• Lead development, implementation, and monitoring of the Campus Improvement Plan (CIP) aligned to district strategic goals.
• Ability to interpret and use informative and summative data to set SMART goals, track progress, and adjust strategies.
• Facilitate continuous improvement cycles and ensure collaborative inquiry within PLCs.

Student Management

• Ensure consistent, equitable discipline practices and due process aligned with district policies.
• Establish clear expectations for staff performance regarding instructional strategies, classroom management, and communication with the public.
• Oversee attendance, truancy prevention, and dropout reduction efforts.
• Promote student voice, leadership, and extracurricular participation to enhance belonging and engagement.

Administrative Management

• Develop master schedule, duty rosters, testing calendars, and supervision plans.
• Ensure campus safety, emergency operations, and crisis response procedures.
• Supervise accurate maintenance of student records and confidentiality (FERPA, HIPAA as applicable).
• Compile maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required including accurate and timely reports of maximum attendance to requisition textbooks.
• Manage use of school facilities. Oversee maintenance of facilities to ensure a clean, orderly, and safe campus.
• Build a common vision for school improvement with staff. Direct planning activities and implementing programs to ensure attainment of school's mission.
• Establish campus performance objectives for Academic Excellence Indicators using the campus planning process and involving site-based decision-making committee. Demonstrate campus progress using results to promote school improvement.

Personnel Management

• Oversee staffing, onboarding, evaluations, growth plans, and succession planning.
• Delegate responsibilities effectively and build leadership capacity among staff.
• Address performance concerns promptly, documenting interventions and outcomes.

School and Community Relations

• Communicate regularly and transparently with students, staff, families, and community partners.
• Coordinate campus events, advisory councils, and volunteer initiatives.
• Represent the campus and district positively in all public forums and media.

Position Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction and in accordance with district priorities.
• Serve on district committees/task forces as requested.
• Support district initiatives, pilot programs, and grants implementation.

Working Conditions

Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress; manage multiple priorities and deadlines; handle confidential matters with discretion.


Physical Demands: Frequent standing, walking, and sitting; occasional lifting/carrying up to 25 pounds; moving between classrooms and facilities; occasional extended hours and on-call responsibilities.


Environmental Factors: Work inside school environment with regular campus visits; occasional outdoor duty; exposure to normal classroom and office noise levels.


Nondiscrimination Statement


Kingsville ISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, military status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status in its educational programs or employment practices. Questions or complaints should be directed to the district's designated compliance coordinators as required by law.


Employee Acknowledgement


I acknowledge that I have received, read, and understand the responsibilities and requirements of this job description. I understand that this document is not a contract of employment and that the district may revise or amend it at any time as needed.



Employee Signature:

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Date:

- End of Job Description -

* Note: Salary is base off the 2026-2027 Compensation Plan