Elementary Principal

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

CiTi BOCES is committed to providing high-quality, specialized educational programs that support the academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and developmental growth of all students. The STRIVE Elementary and Elementary Behavior Intervention programs serve students with highly intensive behavioral and social-emotional needs whose disabilities significantly impact their educational performance. Through integrated educational, behavioral, and therapeutic supports, the programs provide a safe, trusting, restorative, and instructional environment where students can develop the skills necessary to achieve greater independence and success in school and life.

Located within Volney Elementary School in the Fulton City School District, these programs emphasize restorative practices, social-emotional learning, positive behavioral supports, and individualized instruction to address the unique strengths and needs of each student.

POSITION OVERVIEW

CiTi BOCES is seeking a compassionate, highly skilled, and visionary leader to serve as Principal of the STRIVE Elementary and Elementary Behavior Intervention programs. The Principal will provide instructional and operational leadership for specialized elementary programs serving students with significant behavioral, emotional, and educational needs. The successful candidate will foster a culture of safety, trust, accountability, and growth while supporting staff in implementing evidence-based instructional practices, restorative approaches, social-emotional learning, and intensive behavioral interventions.

The Principal will collaborate closely with students, families, Fulton City School District personnel, component school districts, related service providers, and community agencies to ensure students receive comprehensive educational programming that promotes academic achievement, emotional regulation, behavioral growth, and increased independence.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide instructional leadership that ensures high-quality teaching and learning aligned with New York State Learning Standards, IEP goals, and individualized student needs.

• Lead and support the implementation of the STRIVE program philosophy, emphasizing restorative practices, social-emotional learning, self-regulation, and student-centered behavioral supports.

• Foster a safe, trusting, and restorative school culture that promotes positive relationships, emotional well-being, accountability, and student growth.

• Oversee the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to ensure students receive appropriate supports, accommodations, modifications, and services.

• Ensure compliance with all federal and state special education regulations, including IDEA, Section 504, NYSED regulations, and CiTi BOCES policies.

• Support staff in implementing evidence-based instructional practices, positive behavioral interventions, crisis prevention strategies, and social-emotional learning supports that address the complex needs of students.

• Utilize student achievement, behavioral, attendance, and program data to monitor progress and drive continuous program improvement.

• Collaborate with CSE teams, related service providers, mental health professionals, families, component school districts, and community partners to coordinate comprehensive supports for students.

• Facilitate and support functional behavioral assessments (FBAs), behavioral intervention plan (BIP) development, and transition planning activities as appropriate.

• Ensure effective implementation of individualized behavioral supports, restorative interventions, and therapeutic strategies designed to increase student independence and success.

• Supervise and evaluate instructional staff, related service providers, and support personnel while promoting professional growth and continuous improvement.

• Ensure accurate and timely completion of all student records, special education documentation, compliance requirements, and program reporting.

• Maintain strong collaborative relationships with Fulton City School District leadership and staff to promote successful integration of the program within the host school setting.

• Foster a culture that reflects the STRIVE mission of helping students develop the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral skills necessary to reach their full potential and successfully transition to less restrictive educational environments whenever appropriate.

Location: CiTi BOCES (Program located within the Volney Elementary School, Fulton City School District) Program: STRIVE Elementary & Elementary Behavior Intervention Program Terms of Employment: As Per Administrators’ Contract — Salary — $97,500

Start Date: August 2026 Application Deadline: 08/31/2026

Reports to: Director of Exceptional & Alternative Education

Job Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

• New York State Certification as a School Building Leader (SBL), School District Leader (SDL), or equivalent.

• Demonstrated leadership experience in special education, alternative education, therapeutic, or behavior-focused educational settings.

• Thorough knowledge of special education laws, regulations, and procedures, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), New York State Education Department (NYSED) regulations, Section 504, and Committee on Special Education (CSE) processes.

• Experience overseeing the development, implementation, and monitoring of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

• Strong understanding of evidence-based instructional practices, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), restorative practices, trauma-informed approaches, crisis intervention, and positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS).

• Experience supporting students with intensive social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs.

• Knowledge of social-emotional learning frameworks and behavioral support systems, including experience with therapeutic program models.

• Experience supervising and evaluating instructional staff, behavior specialists, related service providers, and support personnel.

• Demonstrated ability to lead interdisciplinary teams in developing comprehensive supports for students with complex learning and behavioral needs.

• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills with students, families, component districts, community agencies, and educational partners.

• Commitment to fostering a culture of dignity, belonging, inclusion, resilience, and high expectations for all students.

Application Deadline:11/01/2026

Job Number: AD08182026