Admin - Principal @ Knolls Vista Elementary

ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL

Knolls Vista Elementary | Moses Lake School District

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

1. Twelve-month, 260-day work year inclusive of 13 paid holidays, 4 personal leave days, 25 paid vacation days, 10 responsibility days
2. Current Base Salary Range: $153,173 - $171,451 as per MLPA contract
3. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage.
4. Terms of employment for the 2025-2026 contract year, commencing on July 1, 2025, are subject to increases as provided by the school district's Board of Directors.

SALARY & BENEFITS

POSITION OVERVIEW


The Elementary Principal serves as the instructional and cultural leader of the school-setting the tone for a safe, inclusive, and high-performing learning environment. Rooted in the mission, vision, and core values of the Moses Lake School District, this leader cultivates a thriving school culture where every student and staff member is known, supported, and empowered to grow.


The Principal establishes a clear and compelling vision for learning, ensures equitable and rigorous instruction, and builds a school community grounded in trust, collaboration, and shared responsibility for results. In addition, the Principal ensures clear systems, consistent expectations, and strong implementation of schoolwide practices , fostering an environment where both students and staff experience predictability, fairness, and support.


This leader maintains a highly visible presence , communicates clearly and efficiently, and acts with purpose and decisiveness. Through consistency, accountability, and follow-through, the Principal works to strengthen culture, rebuild trust where needed, and ensure a focused, supportive learning environment for all.


The Principal demonstrates the ability to assess and build upon existing systems and structures , ensuring consistent implementation before collaboratively refining and strengthening practices with staff over time.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES

1. Master's degree in education or related field
2. Valid Washington State Principal Certificate
3. A minimum of three years of successful teaching experience is required
4. Deep belief in the potential of every child and a commitment to equitable outcomes
5. Successful leadership experience with a track record of improving climate and culture
6. Strong instructional knowledge and the ability to coach others to high performance
7. Proficiency in time management, organization, and the use of technology
8. Ability to remain calm and solutions-oriented under pressure
9. Demonstrates prioritizing high visibility within the school and strong community engagement skills
10. Commitment to ethical, transparent, and student-centered decision-making
11. Demonstrated ability to evaluate existing systems, ensure consistent implementation, and collaboratively refine practices without unnecessary disruption

Additional desired attributes:

1. Demonstrated success in establishing and maintaining effective schoolwide systems , including behavior and discipline
2. Proven ability to create structure, consistency, and accountability for students and staff
3. Strong communication skills with the ability to deliver clear expectations and timely feedback
4. Demonstrated ability to foster a positive, collaborative staff culture that promotes trust, engagement, and high morale.
5. Demonstrated ability to balance shared decision-making with timely, decisive leadership
6. Ability to advocate effectively for staff and students within a district system
7. Leadership grounded in practical experience as a school administrator
8. Demonstrated experience leading structured shared decision-making processes (e.g., facilitating teams, using defined decision rules, ensuring follow-through)
9. Ability to clearly differentiate and communicate decision types (collaborative, consultative, or administrative)

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

1. Builds trust and psychological safety among students and staff through fairness, consistency, and follow-through
2. Communicates effectively across diverse audiences and settings with clarity, efficiency, and transparency
3. Facilitates structured and inclusive decision-making processes , ensuring clarity in roles, input, and final decisions
4. Demonstrates emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and reflective practice
5. Leads through change with resilience and strategic clarity
6. Promotes a collaborative, student-centered learning environment
7. Establishes and maintains clear systems and consistent expectations across the school
8. Maintains a visible, engaged, and proactive leadership presence
9. Builds on existing practices by strengthening implementation first, then leading thoughtful, collaborative refinement

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Leads with empathy and purpose to establish a school climate of trust, belonging, and high expectations. Models and reinforces positive behavior and decision-making and ensures that day-to-day operations reflect the shared values of the school community, including consistent implementation of schoolwide expectations and practices .
2. Collaboratively develops a compelling, student-centered vision that aligns with district goals and inspires a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and equity, while ensuring that systems and structures support consistent execution of that vision .
3. Utilizes defined shared decision-making structures to gather input, build ownership, and ensure clarity in how decisions are made.
4. Provides educational and instructional leadership, guiding staff through implementation of district curriculum and procedures. Leads the review, evaluation, and continuous improvement of curricular and extracurricular programs. Ensures clarity of expectations and consistency in instructional practices across classrooms .
5. Supervises and evaluates building staff, providing mentorship, feedback, and leadership development opportunities. Promotes a growth mindset and supports staff in achieving professional goals while maintaining clear expectations, accountability, and follow-through . Recommends staffing decisions in alignment with district procedures.
6. Establishes and maintains clear processes for staff input and collaboration , ensuring contributions are acknowledged and reflected in decision-making when appropriate.
7. Honors and builds on established staff practices and traditions while ensuring alignment, coherence, and effectiveness across the school.
8. Provides leadership, guidance, and oversight for Professional Learning Teams (PLTs); ensures alignment with school and district goals; supports collaborative data analysis, instructional planning, and reflective practices that lead to improved student outcomes and professional growth.
   Models and reinforces effective shared decision-making practices within team structures , including use of protocols, defined roles, and clear outcomes.
9. Ensures adherence to collective bargaining agreements and collaborates with building labor representatives.
10. Manages discipline and ensures students are held to consistent expectations for behavior and academic performance. Establishes, implements, and monitors clear, schoolwide behavior systems and ensures staff are supported in maintaining consistent practices. Communicates proactively with families and outside agencies to support student learning and well-being.
11. Oversees all building operations, including safety, student records, scheduling, and the maintenance and use of facilities. Administers building and ASB budgets and ensures compliance with state and district policy.
12. Builds strong partnerships with families and community members. Communicates school goals and accomplishments, participates in parent groups, and promotes public involvement and support through clear, timely, and transparent communication .
13. Assesses current school systems, structures, and practices; ensures consistent and effective implementation , and works collaboratively with staff to refine, enhance, or expand systems based on student and staff needs.
14. Leads and strengthens existing shared decision-making processes , ensuring clarity in roles, decision rules, and timelines, while working collaboratively with staff to refine and improve those processes over time.
15. Implements inclusive practices, ensures equitable access to learning opportunities, and addresses disparities in student outcomes.
16. Implements and enforces state and district curriculum, policies, and procedures. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of educational research, legal guidance, and leadership best practices. Serves on district-wide committees and contributes to the broader instructional and administrative leadership team.
17. Provides positive leadership to create a school environment conducive to teaching and learning while remaining highly visible, accessible, and responsive to emerging needs.
18. Implements district curriculum and procedures, and supervises both curricular and extracurricular programs with a focus on ongoing review, evaluation, and improvement.
19. Evaluates educational outcomes to guide continuous improvement aligned with district objectives and best practices.
20. Counsels and guides students; promotes achievement and appropriate behavior; communicates regularly with parents and outside agencies as needed.
21. Enforces student conduct and attendance policies; ensures consistency and fairness in behavior expectations throughout the school .
22. Guides and supports staff in responding to student health, safety, and emergency needs appropriately.
23. Oversees facility use and safety; ensures a well-maintained, secure, and functional learning environment.
24. Administers the building budget; monitors expenditures to support instructional programs.
25. Maintains transparent, two-way communication with families and the broader community; promotes school programs and builds public trust.
26. Participates in district initiatives and committees; leads special projects as assigned.
27. Maintains required building-level records and prepares necessary reports.
28. Actively engages in professional development to stay current on best practices in leadership, education, and school law.
29. Coordinates with district staff to ensure smooth transitions between grade levels and programs.
30. Contributes to district-wide planning and leadership initiatives and performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.
31. Other duties as assigned

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION


The Moses Lake School District #161 does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged 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 Boys Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district's Title IX, Affirmative Action, and Equal Opportunity officer, Michelle Musso, 1620 S Pioneer Way, Moses Lake, WA 98837, View phone number on click.appcast.io, View email address on click.appcast.io; OR Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Samantha Burgess, 1620 S Pioneer Way, Moses Lake, WA 98837, View phone number on click.appcast.io, View email address on click.appcast.io.