Principal - Whitefish Middle School

WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT

POSITION DESCRIPTION

AREA : Principal

REPORTS TO : Assistant Superintendent

Whitefish School District seeks a Principal to join one of the leading school districts in the state of Montana. With the support of our community, Whitefish School District creates an educational environment where each student can reach their academic potential, prepare for career opportunities, and become engaged citizens.

The Whitefish School District seeks a Principal with a track-record of raising student achievement to join the team of educators already dedicated to providing a deeper learning instructional program to all students. At Whitefish Public Schools, educators are leaders who play an integral role in ensuring student success through the support of our school culture, the development and instruction of a rigorous curriculum, and the use of data to drive daily practice.

SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENT:

The Principal serves as the chief administrator of the building, providing instructional leadership to support staff and students in pursuit of academic growth, deeper learning, and social-emotional development. The Principal is responsible for day-to-day operations, implementing a rigorous curriculum, and fostering a positive school culture in alignment with the District Strategic Plan.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Valid Montana teaching license with a K-12 Principal endorsement (Master's degree required).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience as a building administrator.
• Experience working in a larger-sized school (65 or more staff).
• Experience as a teacher (5 or more years experience).
• Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding employment and student matters.
• Ability to write professional business correspondence and present information effectively to the public.
• Proven ability to manage time effectively and handle high-stress situations.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to):

Instructional Leadership & Data Systems

• Framework Leadership: Actively participates as a team member, role model, and leader of the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) frameworks within the school. Leads the successful implementation of the PLC process and culture of collaboration.
• Instructional Improvement: Shifts focus from traditional building management to primary instructional improvement by setting clear goals, coaching teachers, providing feedback, and managing curriculum.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Collects, analyzes, and uses student performance, behavior, and attendance data to drive instructional approaches, curriculum improvements, and to inform the MTSS team.
• Curriculum Alignment: Coordinates the implementation of a guaranteed and viable curriculum that is horizontally and vertically aligned, working collaboratively with other schools for consistent grade-level transitions.
• Staff Evaluation: Regularly monitors classroom instruction and evaluates the performance of certified, professional, classified, and support staff members in accordance with negotiated agreements and Board policies.

Administrative & Fiscal Management

• Facilities: Oversees the school campus facilities regarding safety, security, accessibility, and maintenance.
• Budgeting: Works collaboratively with staff to prepare yearly building budget requests and monitors spending to conform strictly to budget restrictions.
• Resource Allocation: Supervises the allocation of equipment, educational materials, and supplies in conformance with approved expenditures.
• Reporting: Supervises the preparation and compliance of attendance reports, test results, and other metrics required by the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and other state agencies.
• District Alignment: Works as an active member of the district administrative team, supporting collaborative decision-making, and attends appropriate meetings of the Administrative team and the Board of Trustees.

Student & Community Relations

• School Culture: Works with staff members to create a safe, inclusive, positive, and proactive learning climate emphasizing mutual respect, student engagement, and safety.
• Discipline & Behavior: Responsible for student control and discipline, ensuring it is fair, consistent, follows due process, and aligns with the philosophy and policies of the school board.
• Special Programs Liaison: Acts as a direct liaison between parents and professional staff in operating programs for students with learning disabilities, physical or psychological limitations, or other special needs.
• Conflict Resolution: Counsels with students, parents, and staff to resolve educational, behavioral, and general concerns at the lowest level possible.
• Community Relations: Develops and maintains excellent working relationships with local community organizations, leaders, and the general public.
• Operational Materials: Supervises the development, implementation, distribution, and orientation of the student handbook to ensure student and parent awareness of school rules.
• Event Supervision: Coordinates and supervises after-school events, activities, and campus operations alongside assistant administration as appropriate.

EQUIPMENT USED :

A variety of electronic and technology devices, copier, fax, telephone/voice mail.

WORK ENVIRONMENT :

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works inside. The employee must be able to meet deadlines with severe time constraints. The employee frequently will work irregular or extended hours while performing the duties of this job.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; occasionally walk and stand. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to be able to hear conversations in quiet environments.

MENTAL/MOTOR DEMANDS :

While performing the duties of this job, the employee rarely performs routine work. The employee frequently exercises flexibility (ability to shift from one task to another). Guidance and reinforcement are infrequently available. The employee frequently works within time constraints and maintains attentiveness intensity. The employee is frequently involved in social interactions which require oral and written communications.

The physical demands, work-environment characteristics, and mental/motor demands described within this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations shall be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

SALARY: $ 117,634.00

Updated 5/2026