The Case Middle School House Principal serves as the building-level instructional and administrative leader for Case Middle School (Grades 7–8), under the leadership and direction of the Executive Principal. The House Principal directly supervises the Case Middle School Assistant Principal and is responsible for the building's daily operations, student management, staff supervision, and instructional leadership, ensuring alignment with district goals and Board-adopted policies across the connected Case Middle School–Watertown High School campus and the broader Grades 7–12 program.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Instructional Leadership and Curriculum Alignment
- Implements curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices aligned vertically across Grades 7–12, in coordination with the Executive Principal and building-level instructional coaches.
- Monitors classroom instruction directly and regularly to drive high levels of student achievement and timely instructional intervention.
- Implements district and building-level improvement plans and reports progress to the Executive Principal.
- Leads implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Academic Intervention Services (AIS), and behavioral intervention programming.
- Supports building-level implementation of the NYS NY Inspires initiative and alignment of instruction, advisory, and student experiences to the New York State Portrait of a Graduate.
Building Operations, Student Discipline, and Safety
- Oversees all daily building operations, including schedules, supervision, and logistics for Case Middle School.
- Directs and oversees the Assistant Principal's implementation of student discipline, ensuring enforcement of the Code of Conduct and DASA requirements with due process afforded to students, and serves as the building's primary disciplinary authority.
- Implements attendance initiatives and interventions to improve student attendance, consistent with district attendance goals.
- Ensures building-level compliance with Project SAVE and the district's Building-Level Safety Plan, including emergency response protocols, safety drills, and participation in the building's threat assessment team.
- Coordinates crisis response and mental health referrals in partnership with school counselors and the school psychologist.
- Implements restorative practices as an alternative or complement to traditional discipline where appropriate.
- In collaboration with the Watertown High School House Principal and the Executive Principal, coordinates shared-campus responsibilities arising from the physical connection between Case Middle School and Watertown High School, including supervision, safety drills, and scheduling logistics.
- Maintains a consistent, visible, and active administrative presence at school-sponsored athletic events, evening programs, extracurricular activities, and community-facing events associated with the building, as a core expression of relationship-building and visible leadership rather than an occasional or optional commitment.
Special Education, ENL, and Student Support
- Ensures full implementation of and compliance with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans for students with disabilities.
- Collaborates with the Director of Student Empowerment and Success and the district's CSE administrative team to monitor compliance timelines, service delivery, and progress monitoring for students with disabilities.
- Supports the instructional and programmatic needs of English as a New Language (ENL) students in alignment with NYSED requirements.
- Partners with school counselors, support staff, and student services to address student social-emotional and academic needs.
Staff Supervision and Development
- Directly supervises and evaluates the Case Middle School Assistant Principal.
- Supervises and evaluates assigned instructional and non-instructional staff in accordance with district procedures.
- Provides feedback, coaching, and support for staff professional growth.
- Implements Teacher Improvement Plans, Administrative Improvement Plans, and other staff improvement plans as needed.
- In collaboration with the Executive Principal and the Watertown High School House Principal, supports the supervision, mentoring, and evaluation of the shared Administrative Intern.
School Culture, Family, and Community Engagement
- Models and actively cultivates a professional school culture characterized by high expectations, mutual respect, student-centered decision making, and collaborative leadership; sets the behavioral and professional tone for Case Middle School and is accountable for the climate that results.
- Establishes and leads a Building Leadership Team comprised of administrators, teacher representatives, and support staff to drive continuous school improvement and build shared ownership of the school's goals and culture.
- Actively supports the establishment and ongoing development of a building-level parent organization (PTO/PTA) and serves as the administrative liaison to that body.
- Communicates effectively and proactively with families regarding student progress, expectations, and concerns.
- Promotes strong partnerships with parents, community organizations, and stakeholders.
District Collaboration and Strategic Alignment
- Collaborates closely with the Executive Principal to ensure consistency of practice, expectations, and culture across Grades 7–12.
- Works with the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and building-level instructional coaches on curriculum initiatives.
- Supports implementation of district goals and priorities as outlined in the Board-adopted Strategic Plan and as directed by the Superintendent of Schools.
- Serves on district committees and building/district leadership teams as assigned.
- Maintains accurate records related to attendance, discipline, and student performance, and ensures adherence to Board of Education policies, NYSED regulations, and federal and state mandates.
Performs all other duties consistent with the role as directed by the Executive Principal and/or Superintendent of Schools, recognizing that the needs of students and the school community may require responsibilities beyond those specifically enumerated herein.
QUALIFICATIONS, BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
- New York State certification as a School District Administrator (SDA), School District Leader (SDL), or School Building Leader (SBL).
- A minimum of one year of building-level administrative experience (e.g., Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, or Principal), in or outside the district; two or more years preferred, ideally with middle-level experience.
- Strong knowledge of curriculum, instruction, and assessment, including middle-level best practices.
- Strong skills in student management, school operations, and staff supervision.
- Demonstrated, sustained record of visible leadership and engagement beyond the instructional day, including consistent attendance at athletic contests, evening programs, and extracurricular activities, reflecting a genuine commitment to building relationships with students, staff, and families across the full life of the school.
- Experience with student discipline systems and Code of Conduct enforcement; experience supervising or mentoring other administrators is a plus but not required.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively within an administrative leadership team and across a shared, connected campus.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Twelve (12) months, salary and benefits per contractual agreement, Watertown Administrative and Supervisory Association (WASA)-affiliated position.
Pay: From $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
