*This is an interim, part-time 75% position.
FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE
Reporting directly to the Superintendent, the Interim Chief of Schools serves as the senior district leader responsible for the supervision, support, and performance management of the district's school leadership structure for the remainder of the 2026–2027 school year.
The Interim Chief of Schools provides direct supervision and leadership to the Area Superintendents/Principal Supervisors and ensures consistent expectations, communication, accountability, and support across elementary, middle, high, and specialty schools.
The Interim Chief of Schools will also provide continuity of leadership for key principal supervision and leadership development and support the coordination of the Wallace Foundation Grant initiatives during the leadership transition.
School Leadership, Supervision & Accountability
- Provide direct supervision, support, and performance management of Area Superintendents/Principal Supervisors.
- Establish clear expectations and accountability for the supervision and support of principals and schools.
- Lead weekly Area Superintendent/Principal Supervisor meetings to review school performance, emerging concerns, personnel matters, operational priorities, and district initiatives.
- Maintain regular communication with Principal Supervisors regarding school needs, principal performance, and areas requiring district-level intervention or support.
- Monitor school performance and work with Principal Supervisors and district leaders to identify schools requiring additional support or intervention.
- Ensure consistency in the implementation of the district's Principal Supervisor Model and expectations for principal supervision.
- Serve as an executive-level point of escalation for significant school leadership, personnel, performance, and operational matters.
Lead the development and implementation of Restart Flexibility Plans in collaboration with schools and the District Restart Team; monitor implementation, evaluate progress, and ensure flexibilities are aligned with school improvement priorities and intended outcomes.
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Principal Performance & Personnel Management
- Oversee the principal evaluation process and ensure evaluations are completed consistently, accurately, and within required timelines.
- Review principal performance information and work with Principal Supervisors to develop appropriate coaching, support, improvement, or accountability strategies.
- Coordinate with the Superintendent and Chief Human Resources Officer regarding principal personnel matters, including performance concerns, vacancies, assignments, transfers, recommendations, and other personnel decisions.
- Support the Superintendent in identifying leadership needs and making recommendations regarding school leadership assignments.
Ensure appropriate documentation and follow-through on principal performance and personnel matters.
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Principal Meetings & Leadership Coordination
- Work with Principal Supervisors and the JPMT planning team to plan and coordinate district principal meetings.
- Establish priorities and desired outcomes for principal meetings based on district goals, school needs, and emerging issues.
- Coordinate with Cabinet members and district departments to ensure information presented to principals is timely, aligned, and actionable.
- Facilitate principal meetings and leadership sessions as appropriate.
Maintain effective two-way communication between principals, Principal Supervisors, Cabinet, and the Superintendent.
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School Performance & Strategic Support
- Regularly review academic, staffing, attendance, discipline, operational, and other school performance indicators with Principal Supervisors and appropriate district leaders.
- Identify trends, barriers, and emerging concerns requiring district-level attention.
- Coordinate cross-functional responses when schools require support from multiple departments.
- Work collaboratively with Academic Services, Human Resources, Student Services, Accountability, Finance, Operations, and other departments to ensure schools receive coordinated and responsive support.
Provide the Superintendent with regular updates regarding school performance, principal leadership, significant school concerns, and recommended actions.
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Wallace Foundation Grant & Leadership Development
- Coordinate with the Chief Academic Officer and Executive Director of School Leadership Development to maintain progress on applicable Wallace Foundation Grant priorities and commitments.
- Support implementation of the district's Principal Supervisor Model and leadership pipeline strategies associated with the Wallace Foundation work.
- Ensure appropriate coordination between principal supervision, principal professional learning, and leadership development activities.
- Participate in Wallace Foundation meetings, planning sessions, reporting activities, and partner engagements as needed.
Work collaboratively with the Executive Director of Leadership Development and other district leaders to ensure leadership development efforts align with the needs of principals and Principal Supervisors.
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Executive Leadership & District Coordination
- Serve as a member of the Superintendent's Cabinet and contribute to district-wide planning and decision-making.
- Represent the Superintendent and district at meetings, school events, community engagements, and other activities as assigned.
- Maintain regular communication with the Superintendent regarding significant school, principal, and personnel matters.
- Collaborate with Cabinet members to resolve issues affecting schools and ensure district initiatives are implemented consistently.
- Support continuity of leadership and organizational stability during the interim period.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent.
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REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Demonstrated ability to supervise, coach, evaluate, and develop senior school leaders and principals.
- Extensive knowledge of effective school leadership, principal supervision, instructional leadership, and school improvement.
- Ability to analyze school performance data and translate findings into specific leadership actions and interventions.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex personnel and performance matters with sound judgment, confidentiality, and professionalism.
- Ability to lead through influence and coordinate work across multiple departments and organizational levels.
- Strong understanding of district operations and the interdependence of academics, human resources, finance, student services, accountability, and operations in supporting schools.
- Ability to establish clear expectations, monitor implementation, and hold leaders accountable for results.
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, including the ability to respond effectively to complex and time-sensitive situations.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, facilitation, and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with principals, district leaders, employees, families, community partners, and other stakeholders.
- Knowledge of federal and North Carolina laws, regulations, policies, and requirements applicable to public schools, personnel administration, school accountability, and educational leadership.
- Strong organizational, project management, and time-management skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment when addressing sensitive personnel and
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Minimum:
- Master's degree in Educational Leadership, Educational Administration, School Administration, or a related field.
- Minimum of five years of progressively responsible educational leadership experience.
- Successful experience as a school principal.
Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, or supporting school leaders.
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Preferred:
- Advanced or doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, Educational Administration, or a related field.
- Seven or more years of school and/or district leadership experience.
- Experience supervising principals or serving in a district-level school leadership role.
Experience leading school improvement, principal development, or leadership pipeline initiatives.
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- Current or eligible North Carolina administrative licensure in an appropriate area of educational leadership or school administration.
- Superintendent licensure preferred.
- Valid driver's license required .
PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY
FREQUENCY
C - Constant
F - Frequent
O - Occasional
I - Infrequent
NR - Not Required
PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY
FREQUENCY
C - Constant
F - Frequent
O - Occasional
I - Infrequent
NR - Not Required
Climbing/Balancing
Lifting/Carrying
Crawling/Kneeling
Grasping/Twisting
Walking
Reaching
Running
Pushing/Pulling
Standing
Fingering/Typing
Sitting
Driving
Bending/Stooping
Others:
When applying, please make sure to include all prior experience in your application.
Please provide at least two references. One must be the current or most recent supervisor and the
other a previous supervisor.
