Assistant Principal - Middle School

Orting School District; Orting (WA); On-site; USD 141,007 - 151,849; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Professional development stipend

Flexible vacation days

Job summary

Centralia School District is seeking a Middle School Assistant Principal to drive instructional vision and improve student achievement. The role includes supporting staff development, ensuring compliance with educational standards, and fostering an inclusive community environment.

The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in education and a passion for student leadership and engagement.

The position includes a competitive salary and benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of successful teaching experience required.
• Experience in middle school administration preferred.
• Ability to manage systemic change and implement educational reform.

Responsibilities

• Lead instructional strategies to improve student achievement.
• Facilitate professional development for staff.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with families and community.

Skills

Conflict management

Data analysis

Collaborative leadership

Interpersonal skills

Instructional strategies

Organizational skills

Education

Master's degree in an approved college program

Washington State Principal's certification

Tools

Word processing software

Spreadsheet software

Presentation software

Job description

SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENT

The Middle School Assistant Principal is the co‑instructional leader of the school community, responsible for establishing an instructional vision and a focused plan for improving student achievement; monitoring and supervising instruction; supporting teachers in improving their instructional practice; creating a community of continuous learning for all staff and students; and fostering a culture of high expectations for all students. The assistant principal is charged with building strong partnerships with families and community, creating a safe, supportive school climate, and effectively managing operational, technical and staff issues to promote instructional progress. The assistant principal works collaboratively with the district leadership team to advance the Orting Student Learning Ends and Strategic Goals.

ORTING SCHOOL DISTRICT THEORY OF ACTION

If we are relentless in our pursuit of creating schools where all students: feel valued, cared for, and have a deep sense of belonging, know their voice, ideas and interests are utilized and valued, develop a belief they can make a difference, experience high levels of support in having barriers removed to meet high expectations, then we will ensure the Orting School District is an equitable organization where every student feels connected, inspired, and empowered for present and future success.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This list of essential job functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. Depending upon individual assignment, the employee may perform all or a combination of several of the following duties:

1. Effectively implement the district's instructional framework to support staff in inquiry and professional growth.
2. Provide targeted professional development aligned to strategic student learning ends and goals to support student learning.
3. Understand and communicate Washington State Learning Standards and ensure implementation of standards‑based curriculum.
4. Support the development and growth of Professional Learning Communities.
5. Collect, analyze and utilize data effectively to guide and support student learning, implement targeted interventions, and monitor learning progress. Experience in working with subgroups of students not meeting their full learning potential preferred.
6. Collaborate with administrative leadership team and staff to develop and implement a multi‑tiered system of support.
7. Effectively manage conflict within the school building.
8. Oversee student activities.
9. Provide oversight of building testing coordination.
10. Identify students that have special needs and understand student referral systems.
11. Ensure rigorous outcomes in student learning and make progress in closing the achievement gap.
12. Under the supervision of the principal and superintendent, administer his/her school within the policies and regulations established by the school district board of directors.
13. Keep communications open and develop positive collaborative relationships with staff, district office, parents and the community in order to support student learning.
14. Demonstrate, observe and provide feedback for lessons related to Washington State Learning Standards and the 5D+ instructional framework. Evaluate assigned staff under state and district guidelines.
15. Provide ongoing professional development for staff and demonstrate a commitment to sound research‑based instructional practices.
16. Ability to use technology and promote technical literacy for staff and students.
17. Develop, implement, and monitor procedures and practices that promote a safe and orderly school environment.
18. Assist in developing, implementing and evaluating a school wide learning plan for improvement of student achievement.
19. Promote collaborative leadership and continuous renewal in school/organizational improvement efforts while dealing sensitively and equitably with all persons/groups.
20. Identify, analyze, and apply research findings to ensure continuous improvement.
21. Serve as an active member of District Leadership Team.
22. Help maintain student discipline.
23. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Demonstrated ability to manage systemic change and successfully implement reform initiatives that produce significant gains in closing the achievement gap.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of high‑leverage, research‑based instructional strategies and models for improving instructional practices.
3. Demonstrated proficiency in the use of data to assess student progress and inform instructional practice.
4. Ability to establish and maintain an interactive, positive and collaborative school culture.
5. Effective interpersonal skills in managing and interacting with diverse groups of stakeholders.
6. Excellent time management and organizational skills.
7. Effective communication and collaboration.
8. Demonstrated ability to manage conflict through quality decision‑making and effective problem‑solving.
9. Demonstrated proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software. Must be able to use management systems to perform routine tasks.
10. Ability to handle intense or controversial situations with levity and humor.
11. Genuine interest in working with students and in placing students first in the decision making process.
12. Maintain integrity of confidential information relating to students, staff or district partners.

AWSP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

The principal standards of professional practice define expectations for principals in the Orting School District. The standards help frame a comprehensive definition of effective leadership. The successful candidate will engage in inquiry to select goals and engage in learning targets identified problems of practice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Possess or qualify for Washington State Principal's certification
• Has completed a Master's degree in an approved college program
• Three years of successful teaching experience as a minimum
• Middle school experience highly preferred
• Experience using a Washington State approved instructional framework

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; sit; use hands for fine manipulation, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Perform work beyond a standard 40‑hour work week when workload requires. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet or humid outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. This position requires attendance at Board of Director meetings, community meetings, and other duties that extend beyond normal working hours.

REPORTS TO

This position reports directly to the Superintendent.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Work Year: July 1 – June 30; 260 day contract

Base Salary 2025‑26: $141,007 – $151,849 DOE
2026‑27: Subject to Principal Memorandum of Agreement

Professional Responsibility Stipend (PRS) – 10 days at per diem

Twenty‑six (26) annual vacation days; cash‑out up to six (6) days annually

Thirteen (13) paid holidays

Four (4) annual personal days accumulative to six (6); eligible to cash‑out two (2) days annually

Twelve (12) annual sick days

Professional Development – $2,000 per year

Dues contribution for AWSP and ASCD memberships

Cell phone stipend

Per Diem rate based on 218 days

Medical, dental, vision insurance coverage

BENEFITS

Eligibility for benefits is determined by the number of hours an employee is anticipated to work during the school year (September 1 through August 31). Employees anticipated to work 630 hours or more in a year are eligible for the following benefits: medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, long‑term disability and the employee assistance program.

The district's healthcare benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority (HCA) under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Benefit‑eligible employees also qualify to optionally participate in deferred compensation/403B plans, dependent care flexible spending/health savings accounts, and additional life insurance and/or added long‑term disability coverage through employee contributions. Sick leave, vacation, personal leave, and any paid holidays are aligned with bargaining agreements by association, as listed on our website.

Other benefits include VEBA, which is a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) and serves as a way to contribute dollars on a pre‑tax basis for out‑of‑pocket benefits costs, whether it be for medical, dental or vision premiums, or any other out‑of‑pocket medical expenses. This benefit is available, based on the outcome of annual voting of employees by group.

NOTE

The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required, but should not be considered an all‑inclusive listing of work requirements, skills, or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. The District reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Nondiscrimination in Education and Employment

Orting School District 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, marital status, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination and their offices are located at 121 Whitesell St NE, Orting, WA 98360:

Civil Rights Compliance/Title IX/ADA Coordinator
Carrie Joy, Director of Human Resources
360‑893‑6500, ext. 4028
[e-mail]

Section 504 Coordinator
Dr. Jennifer Westover, Executive Director for Student Support Services
360‑893‑6500, ext. 4027
[e-mail]

Information about the nondiscrimination and sex‑based discrimination policies and grievance procedures, and how to report a concern or complaint can be accessed here.

Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.