Bend-La Pine Schools is committed to the principle of equity. Equity supersedes the notion of equality, where all are treated the same. Pursuing equity requires the removal of barriers and the promotion of inclusive practices so that all students fully benefit. The principle of equity will inform all BLS policies, regulations, programs, operations, practices, and resource allocations.
Studies have shown that some individuals (women and people of color, for example) are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single qualification in a job description. Our goal is to find the best candidate for the position, and we acknowledge that that candidate may be an individual from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of a position, or how this would be determined, please feel free to contact Human Resources to discuss your application.
ELK MEADOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
About the District:
Bend-La Pine Schools (BLS) is the fifth-largest school district in Oregon and comprises 33 schools, plus two charter schools across an attendance area of approximately 1,600 square miles. We employ over 2,000 staff members in licensed and non-licensed capacities, which makes us the second-largest employer in Central Oregon. At Bend-La Pine Schools, we believe in educating thriving students and know the importance of supporting our students to become kind and thoughtful humans who engage with the world around them.
The School:
Bend-La Pine Schools welcomes applications of qualified persons interested in the position of principal at Elk Meadow Elementary School. Elk Meadow serves approximately 475 students in southwest Bend and first opened its doors for students in the fall of 1994. With staff dedicated to providing students with an integrated arts approach to learning and a dedication to high quality best practices, Elk Meadow has a commitment to fostering wellness and success in each student.
Position Overview:
Position Title: Elementary School Principal
Location: Elk Meadow Elementary
Department: Teaching and Learning
Reports To: Executive Directors of Elementary Programs
The Elementary School Principal is a leader responsible for the overall administration, educational direction, and management for Bend-La Pine Schools. As the instructional leader, the Principal ensures a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment for students, while fostering a collaborative and supportive culture among staff, parents, and the wider community. The Principal is entrusted with promoting high-quality instruction, implementing effective school policies and procedures, and cultivating a positive and inspiring educational experience for all parties.
The Search:
Bend-La Pine Schools utilizes a distinct search for each site in search of a Principal to ensure that the right candidate is selected for each school. Applicants who are successful through the screening process will receive an invitation to an in-person interview consisting of various activities at the school site and the district office. A site visit to the finalist’s current school site may be conducted as part of the interview process. All finalists will interview with the Superintendent, who has final decision-making authority.
Qualified applicants should apply online at: bls.fyi/careers and should be prepared to submit an application packet that includes:
A cover letter
Current resume, including email address
Two current letters of recommendation that include the names, titles, addresses, home and office phone numbers of the recommender
College transcripts
Any other relevant supporting materials
COMPENSATION
224-day contract
Family medical, dental and vision insurance
Term life and long-term disability insurance
Professional development program and tuition reimbursement
Salary estimate (based on 2024-2025 salary schedule): $126,546 – $134,797
Bend-La Pine Schools, unlike many districts, currently pays the employee’s portion of PERS, a 6% contribution of the employee’s annual salary
JOB FUNCTIONS
Provide educational leadership, setting a clear vision for academic excellence.
Foster a positive and inclusive school culture among students, staff, and parents.
Collaborate with stakeholders to establish high instructional standards and curriculum development.
Support teachers' professional growth through mentorship and professional development opportunities.
Implement data-driven strategies to enhance academic achievement and student outcomes.
Manage day-to-day school operations, including scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation.
Ensure compliance with educational policies, regulations, and legal requirements.
Create a safe and engaging learning environment, promoting student well-being and success.
Implement student support services and behavior management systems to meet diverse student needs.
Facilitate student engagement through extracurricular activities, clubs, and events.
Cultivate strong relationships with parents, guardians, and the community to foster collaboration and support.
Collaborate with community organizations and local agencies to enhance resources and educational opportunities for students.
NATURE OF WORK
The Principal is responsible for establishing a clear vision for academic excellence and fostering a positive and inclusive school culture. Collaboration with teachers, staff, parents, and community parties is essential to set high instructional standards and ensure the development of a comprehensive curriculum that meets the diverse needs of students. The role extends beyond administrative duties, as Principals actively engage with students, parents, and the wider community to promote a safe, engaging, and supportive learning environment.
In this position, Principals oversee the day-to-day operations of the school, managing resources, implementing policies, and ensuring compliance with educational regulations. Their focus on instructional excellence involves supporting teachers' professional growth and implementing data-driven strategies to improve student achievement. By cultivating strong relationships with parents, guardians, and community members, Principals foster collaboration, involving them in their child's education, and establishing valuable partnerships that enhance educational opportunities.
The role of an Elementary School Principal offers a rewarding opportunity to shape the educational journey of young learners, inspire a culture of lifelong learning, and make a lasting impact on the academic and personal development of students. The work of Principals contributes to creating an environment where students thrive, teachers excel, and the entire school community is engaged in the pursuit of educational excellence.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge:
Knowledge of educational leadership principles, practices, and strategies.
Familiarity with curriculum development, instructional methodologies, and assessment practices.
Understanding of educational policies, regulations, and legal requirements.
Knowledge of student support services and behavior management systems.
Understanding of data analysis and data-driven decision-making.
Skills:
Strong leadership and management skills to foster a positive and inclusive school culture.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with stakeholders.
Skills in strategic planning, resource allocation, and budget management.
Ability to facilitate parent and community engagement and build strong relationships.
Proficiency in implementing professional development programs for teachers.
Abilities:
Ability to provide visionary educational leadership and establish a clear academic vision.
Strong problem-solving skills to address challenges and improve student outcomes.
Ability to create and maintain a safe, engaging, and supportive learning environment.
Ability to analyze student data to drive instructional improvements and enhance achievement.
Capacity to manage day-to-day school operations and ensure compliance with policies.
Ability to support teachers' professional growth and provide mentorship.
Aptitude for fostering student engagement through extracurricular activities and programs.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Must hold, or be able to obtain by July 1, 2025, Oregon Administrative Licensure
Record of increasingly responsible positions in education
Successful teaching and administrative experience
Clear understanding of IDEA, TAG, MTSS, ELD, and Title Programs
Understanding of best practices in early literacy and mathematics
Understanding of CCSS and standardized assessments and the ability to use data to lead school improvement efforts
Effective management of school operations that support teaching and learning
Experiences with systems around diversity, equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed practices
Strong communication skills, with a focus on being an exceptional listener, highly visible and approachable to help establish positive, collaborative working relationships with and among students, staff, parents/guardians
Understands and has experience in non-exclusionary practices for student behavior that may include: Collaborative Problem Solving, Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) and Restorative Justice practices
Experience with building collaborative teams and creating a positive and professional working environment for all
Experience in current employment practices, goal setting, and evaluation and support of staff
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Elementary school teaching experience
Elementary school administrative experience
Clear knowledge of elementary school scheduling, curriculum, and systems
Instructional leader with a focus on elementary school best practices and enriching curriculum to meet the needs of all learners
Professional experience with leading and building cultural inclusivity with an diverse group of students including, but not limited to, socio-economics, ability level, TAG, Life Skills, multi-lingual, identity and gender preference
Supportive of professional development opportunities and trainings that provide staff collaboration
Listens to and advocates for staff and students
Ability to build and nurture relationships grounded in trust and compassion
BENEFITS INFORMATION
Bend-La Pine Schools provides its employees with a range of competitive and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, life and disability insurance, an employee assistance program, a 403(b) retirement savings plan, and various leave and professional development programs.
Bend-La Pines contributes the required 6% of employees’ annual salary on a pre-tax basis to the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS/OPSRP) on the employee’s behalf. To learn more about the additional benefits or compensation options available for each employee group, please visit our website.
Expectations of Professional Conduct
Employees of Bend-La Pine Schools are expected to adhere to all Bend-La Pine Schools policies and regulations, ensuring compliance with established procedures and expectations. They are to prioritize the well-being of students, aligning their conduct with the core values of public education and the mission, vision, and goals of Bend-La Pine Schools. This entails maintaining consistent and punctual attendance while adhering to site and/or district protocols for reporting absences.
Professionalism extends to personal presentation, with employees expected to maintain attire and grooming appropriate to their roles.While carrying out everyday tasks independently, it's essential to maintain professionalism in how you communicate, both verbally and nonverbally, with students, parents/guardians, the public, and colleagues. This includes valuing and respecting cultural and background differences. Employees of Bend-La Pine Schools are entrusted with fostering a respectful working and learning environment, upholding confidentiality regarding student, staff, and district information at all times.
