Principal - Middle School (2026-2027 SY)

Norwalk Public Schools; Norwalk (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Norwalk Public Schools seeks a Principal for Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy Middle School to develop and enact a shared mission, vision, and core values for high-quality education across the building.

The leader will supervise staff, participate in hiring, manage resources, and build strong relationships with families and the community to support student success.

Qualifications

• Certification as a Connecticut Administrator (092).
• Leadership skills to maintain a safe and orderly school environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively.
• Successful teaching experience, with elementary school experience preferred.
• Knowledge of effective instructional practices that result in quality learning by all students.
• Bilingual (preferred).
• Public School experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and evaluate faculty and staff.
• Participate in the hiring process to select qualified personnel.
• Assign teachers to areas appropriate to backgrounds and student needs.
• Resolve personnel-related complaints and issues with staff.
• Support staff through remediation when necessary with substantiating information.
• Maintain accurate records of student progress and building activities.
• Manage attendance, health, conduct, and the school budget.
• Prepare annual staffing and budget projections and track expenditures.
• Collaborate with Chief of School Operations to set annual goals and measure progress.

Skills

Leadership

Data-driven decisions

Conflict resolution

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Collaboration

Experience with young children

Education

Connecticut Administrator Certification (092)

Job description

2026-2027 School Year

Principal

Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy Middle School

Summary Description:

The selected leader will develop, advocate, and enact a shared mission, vision, and core values of high-quality education and success that leads to the optimal educational development of all students, as defined by Board policy and District curriculum expectations, through appropriate application of leadership, supervisory and administrative skills at the building level.

Essential Functions:

• Supervise and evaluate faculty and staff
• Participate in the process for hiring the best qualified and most competent personnel
• Assign teacher to areas appropriate to their backgrounds and to the needs of the children
• Work with employees to resolve complaints, difficulties, and other matters related to personnel management
• Support staff through a remediation process, when necessary, including assembling appropriate substantiating information

Supervision of Evaluations and Records:

• Maintains accurate records of individual student progress in the building
• Maintains accurate records of all building activities and functions, and facilitates the routine operations of the school
• Assumes responsibility for the attendance, health and conduct of all students
• Maintains the school's student-based budget
• Prepares budget requests for the building, including projection of staffing needs, and monitors the expenditures of funds on an ongoing basis
• In consultation with the Chief of School Operations, establishes annual action goals on a clearly defined priority basis, prepares strategies for achieving those goals, and develops criteria for evaluating the accomplishments of the established goals.

Community Relations and Family Engagement:

• Makes possible and encourages special conferences between parents and teachers.
• Establishes and maintains favorable relationships with local community groups to solicit support of school objectives and programs.
• Attends select Board of Education meetings and participates as requested by the Chief of School Operations or Superintendent.
• Works cooperatively with the school governance council, Planning and Placement Teams, building, and other parent groups to strengthen community participation in and understanding and support of the building's educational programs.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Ability to establish clear expectations for children and adults, but flexibility when circumstances so warrant
• Strong problem solving and conflict resolution skills, and ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to serve as a mediator so that all involved feel heard and respected
• Demonstrated ability to use data to inform decisions
• Accessibility, availability and responsiveness, both during and after school hours
• Knowledge of effective teaching techniques and instructional practices that result in quality learning for all students
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively with others
• Experience working with young children

Qualifications:

• Certification as a Connecticut Administrator (092)
• Leadership skills to maintain a safe and orderly school environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively
• Successful teaching experience, with elementary school experience preferred
• Knowledge of effective instructional practices that result in quality learning by all students
• Bilingual (preferred)
• Public School experience preferred

Classification: NASA
Reports to: Chief of School Operations
Employment Status: Regular, 12 months
FLSA Status: Exempt

Norwalk is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

It is the policy of the Norwalk Board of Education to ensure equal educational opportunity for all students and to prohibit unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, creed, age, marital status, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or physical and mental disability in the school district's educational program and activities; and to prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment because of race, color, religion, creed, age, marital status, national origin, gender; gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or physical and mental disability.