Description

2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR

POSITION: Elementary School Principal
SCHEDULE: 212 workdays
LOCATION: TBD
SUPERVISOR: Superintendent
POSITION TYPE: Certificated Administrator
COMPENSATION: $147,120-$173,601 depending on comparable experience; supplemental compensation for PhD/EdD, and annual reimbursement for professional growth. Pay is annualized over 12 months (if hired after July, spread over remaining months of contract year (Jul-Jun))
BENEFITS: Medical, dental, vision, and basic life and AD&D insurance; retirement plan; deferred compensation (DRS and TSA); paid leave
QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree in Educational Administration or related field.
• Current Washington State Principal Certificate and/or Professional Administrator certificate.
• Five or more years of teaching and/or administrative experience at the elementary level, experience in culturally and economically complex communities preferred. (P)K-5 teaching experience preferred.
• Successful leadership experience as an elementary school administrator or comparable administrative/supervisory responsibility preferred.
• Valid Washington State Drivers License; WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance

DISTRICT INFORMATION

Cheney Public Schools is a growing district serving approximately 5,300 students in the southwest region of Spokane County. The district covers 380 square miles, encompassing the towns of Airway Heights, Cheney, an expansive rural area, and a developing industrial and residential area on the West Plains. The district currently has 11 schools: 5 comprehensive elementary schools: Betz, Salnave, Snowdon, Sunset, and Windsor; two comprehensive middle schools: Cheney Middle School and Westwood Middle School; one comprehensive high school: Cheney High School, and three learning option schools: a K-8 Parent Partnership Program: HomeWorks!, a 6-12 blended learning school: WIN Academy, and Three Springs High School. Through community support with passing a bond in November, 2024, the District will open a sixth comprehensive elementary school for the 2027-2028 school year. 

Cheney Public Schools is committed to high expectations and continuous progress for students, staff, and administration. The District provides a rich learning environment for all students, and the local community provides consistent and unwavering support for an extensive co-curricular program. Our mission states, “Cheney Public Schools exists to guarantee a safe and caring environment where ALL students learn at high levels and graduate with options for post-secondary education, careers, and civic engagement.”

PLANNING PRINCIPAL POSITION

For the 2026–2027 school year, the Elementary Principal will serve in a planning capacity in preparation for the opening of a new elementary school in the 2027–2028 school year. During this planning phase, the Principal will lead and coordinate all activities necessary for a successful school opening, including but not limited to: development of the school’s instructional vision and culture; collaboration with district leadership on enrollment projections, attendance boundaries, staffing models, and budget planning; participation in facility design, construction, and readiness planning; development of operational systems, schedules, and procedures; recruitment and selection of staff; and engagement with families and the broader school community. The Principal will perform any and all duties required to prepare the new school for full operation upon opening. In addition, the Elementary Principal will provide administrative coverage within other district buildings and will be assigned duties and responsibilities in support of districtwide school leadership.

This new elementary school is a pivotal addition within a growing community in the Cheney School District. The planning principal will be an active community member in Airway Heights, building key relationships with community partners, families and will work in close collaboration with its neighbor school Sunset Elementary. The principal of this new school will need to be deeply committed to developing an Airway Heights community-based school with partners and families. They will lead the integration of this new learning community into Cheney School District as a whole with distinct opportunities for our Airway Heights community.

DESIRED PERFORMANCE ABILITIES

• Provide exceptional instructional leadership to a community of dedicated and collaborative educators who are committed to ensuring that all children achieve success in school and life.
• Possess a passion for teaching and learning, a depth of knowledge of (P)K-5 standards, and a thorough understanding of instructional and intervention practices that support diverse learner contexts and learning approaches in support of the success of all students.
• Ability to call upon previous leadership experiences and best practices in dynamic school communities with various student populations, languages, cultural backgrounds, and socioeconomic conditions.
• Demonstrate a high level of performance as a leader. Clearly communicate expectations to staff, provide support for staff to enhance their performance, and hold staff members accountable for achieving building and district goals.
• Demonstrate excellent personal relationship skills.
• Possess emotional intelligence to “read the room,” create positive relationships, and manage conflict.
• Demonstrate experience designing and implementing a school improvement plan using a collaborative process; one that establishes achievable goals which are responsive to state and federal guidelines while placing student interests at the center of decisions.
• Demonstrate knowledge of culturally competent instruction, assessment, and organizational development with an emphasis on grades PK-5, including transition from elementary to middle school.
• Demonstrate skill in staff leadership and group facilitation, including the ability to assess classroom instruction and to work effectively with teachers and support staff to improve instruction and classroom management with dynamic learners.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the Washington state standards and performance expectations, including Common Core State Standards and the Teacher Principal Evaluation Program, and the use of assessment to inform and guide instruction.
• Demonstrate creative thinking and problem solving to maintain high quality teaching and learning for all disciplines and programs: blended preschool, full time kindergarten, special education, music, PE, and media at the school site.
• Demonstrate experience creating a schedule that meets building and district goals, student needs, staff interests, and budget constraints. Possess the ability to make tough decisions and follow up with strong communication and thorough explanations.
• Possess a depth of knowledge about prioritizing investments in learning that contribute to student achievement; understand the benefits of early childhood education, parent education and outreach, and the importance of professional development for educators.
• Have high visibility at school events as well as throughout the school day and the ability to relate to students, staff and community members in a mutually respectful, supportive and collaborative manner. Attend to practices which will promote the school in our community, as well as invite and engage the community in the school.
• Maintain a safe and orderly learning environment by implementing effective and positive methods of student discipline in compliance with state laws and district policies.
• Support and implement a positive school climate based on the principles of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports.
• Lead and support a school culture where students, parents, classified staff, and certified staff value all people: people of diverse backgrounds, people of diverse economic situations, and people of diverse cultural groups; value each member’s contribution to the school community.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and the Four Questions that guide our collaborative work.
• Lead or actively participate in district-wide resource work, grade level teams, community meetings, and parent groups to achieve specific objectives as directed by the assistant superintendent or superintendent.
• Understand and use technology to enhance teaching and learning, as well as administrative applications: Google Suite, MS Office, iObservation, and Skyward. Demonstrate a high level of organization and management skills.
• Evidence of knowledge of school-related law, collaborative labor-management practices, and accommodation procedures for students with special needs.
• Prepare and administer a building budget within fiscal guidelines.
• Knowledge of categorical funding rules and regulations, and best practices in use of categorical funds to best support under-served students.
• Assist with the IEP process as needed to support our Special Education Program.
• Provide leadership for activities during and outside the school day.
• Evaluate certified and classified staff.
• Participate in screening, selection, training, assignment, and reassignment of school staff.
• Strengthen business partnerships and PTO, as well as assist with increasing parent and community involvement.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in Educational Administration or related field.
• Current Washington State Principal Certificate and/or Professional Administrator certificate.
• Five or more years of teaching and/or administrative experience at the elementary level, experience in culturally and economically complex communities preferred. (P)K-5 teaching experience preferred.
• Successful leadership experience as an elementary school administrator or comparable administrative/supervisory responsibility preferred.

CONTRACT

212 day contract; job responsibilities will commence July, 1 2026

COMPENSATION

$147,120-$173,601 depending on experience. Competitive benefits, supplemental compensation for PhD/EdD, and annual reimbursement for professional growth.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

Position opening announced: February 2, 2026
Deadline to receive application materials: February 22, 2026 11:59 p.m.
Anticipated interviews: week of March 2, 2026

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Completed online administrative application
• Letter of application addressing the desired performance abilities
• Resume
• Four (4) current letters of recommendation to include immediate supervisor, staff member, colleague
• Unofficial transcripts from most recent educational institution
• Principal certificate
• In essay format, please respond to the following three questions:

1. 1. Tell us why you are interested in this principal position that is tasked with building a brand new school community in Airway Heights and how your experience is an asset for this community-based school.
   2. Please tell us your definition and/or understanding of cultural “competency” and provide examples of how that shows up in your leadership in schools with students from dynamic cultures and backgrounds.
   3. Why is the direction of our district as outlined in the Cheney Public Schools’ Strategic Plan, the way you want to move forward in your educational leadership career? Tell us why you seek an opportunity to lead a learning community within the PLC at Work model.

Cheney Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, economic status, pregnancy, familial status, marital status, disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions: Title IX/Chapter 28A.640 Officer/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/ADA Coordinator - Tom Arlt, Assistant Superintendent, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd. Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4550; Section 504 Coordinator - Franklin Day, Director of Student Support Services, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd., Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4507.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER