Posting # 8-26/27

Job Title: High School Principal – Lakeside High School

Open: May 6, 2026

First File Review: May 21, 2026

First Round Interview: May 26, 2026

Second Round Interview: May 28, 2026

Closed: Open Until Filled

Instructional Leadership That Moves a High School Forward

High schools carry real responsibility. Students are preparing for graduation, careers, college, military service, apprenticeships, and the adult lives waiting for them beyond our doors. Families are counting on clear direction. Staff need leadership that is present, steady, and willing to keep instruction at the center of the work.

Lakeside High School is a 9–12 school serving approximately 470 students in the Nine Mile Falls School District. There is a foundation here, including a stable staff culture, strong community connection, and students who deserve a leader willing to build forward with purpose. The next principal will be expected to strengthen what is working, raise expectations where needed, and ensure that the daily experience of students reflects what we say we believe about learning.

The Lakeside High School principal sets the direction for the building, maintains expectations, supports and develops staff, and ensures that instructional quality is actively improving. That means being present in classrooms, giving clear feedback, supporting staff growth, addressing concerns when expectations are not met, and keeping students at the center when the work gets difficult.

Nine Mile Falls is a small, relationship-driven district. Leadership here is personal. Students notice whether the principal is present. Staff notice whether expectations are clear. Families notice whether communication is honest and timely. The right leader will understand that relationships and accountability are not opposites. Staff should feel supported, but strong support includes the willingness to address hard conversations when they are needed. Students should feel cared for, but care does not mean lowering expectations.

This is an instructional leadership position first. Operations matter. Culture matters. Relationships matter. But none of those can drift away from the central purpose of the school: effective, rigorous instruction, strong leadership, reflection, and positive relationships, which together lead to each student succeeding.

Salary and Benefits:
As outlined by and in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement of the Nine Mile Falls Administrators Association and the policies and procedures of Nine Mile Falls School District.

The base salary range for the position (2025/2026 Salary Matrix) is: $144,350 to $156,200. Salary placement will be determined in accordance with the appropriate salary schedule and verified relevant experience. This position also receives seven (7) additional per diem days, vacation cashout, and a cell phone and mileage stipend.

A typical work year consists of 260 days, which includes workdays, holidays, 40 vacation days, and other approved leave days. Administrators shall receive and may utilize illness and emergency leave consistent with state statutes, board policy, and leave afforded to other certificated employees.

Employees anticipated to work more than 630 hours per year will be eligible for benefits through the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Standard benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability. Positions anticipated to work 70 hours or more per month for at least five months over a 12-month period are eligible for retirement through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems.

Schedule:
Contract Days: 260 Days
Workday: 8 hours per day, with evening and weekend responsibilities as needed
Work Location: Lakeside High School, Grades 9–12

Reports to: Jeff Baerwald - Superintendent

The Work of the High School Principal

The High School Principal is responsible for the full life of the building. This includes instructional leadership, staff supervision, student support systems, school culture, family communication, community partnership, compliance, safety, and daily operations. The work is complex and often fast-moving. It requires a leader who can make decisions, communicate clearly, and follow through.

Instructional Leadership

Conduct regular classroom walkthroughs, observations, and instructional conversations
Set and maintain clear expectations for instruction, assessment, engagement, and alignment with district and state standards.
Use student data to identify needs, guide decisions, and adjust direction.
Lead and monitor the School Improvement Plan in a way that is meaningful, visible, and connected to classroom practice.
Support Professional Learning Communities and professional learning that strengthen instructional consistency, collaboration, and shared responsibility for student outcomes.
Ensure intervention systems are used effectively so students remain connected, supported, and on track for graduation.
Support instructional programming that prepares students for post-secondary options, including college, career, military, apprenticeship, and other pathways.
Evaluate certificated and classified staff in accordance with district and state frameworks.
Advocate and maintain strong inclusionary practices that meet the needs of diverse learners.

Staff Leadership and Accountability

Set clear direction and communicate expectations consistently.
Mentor, motivate, and build morale among students and staff.
Build trust through reliability, fairness, visibility, and follow-through.
Support staff growth while maintaining accountability for instruction, outcomes, and building performance.
Address performance concerns directly, professionally, and through district processes.
Lead staff meetings, leadership teams, and professional learning with purpose and clarity.
Recruit, recommend, onboard, and support high-quality staff.
Promote collaboration while making timely decisions when leadership is needed.
Maintain composure and sound judgment during conflict or difficult conversations.

Student Support, Behavior, Attendance, and School Culture

Maintain a safe, respectful, and orderly school environment with clear expectations for students.
Lead consistent systems for behavior, attendance, discipline, engagement, and intervention.
Use attendance, discipline, credit, graduation, and intervention data to identify needs and adjust supports.
Work with staff and families to support students academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally.
Ensure students receiving special education, English language, 504, or other supports are served appropriately.
Support activities, athletics, leadership, and events that strengthen student connection and school pride.
Be visible and present in the spaces where students experience school each day.

Family Communication and Community Partnership

Communicate clearly and respectfully with families, students, staff, and community members.
Respond to concerns through a consistent, professional, and solution-focused process.
Partner with families when students need support, redirection, or intervention.
Build community trust through visibility, transparency, and follow-through.
Attend school and community events as appropriate.
Support partnerships that expand opportunities for students.
Represent Lakeside High School and Nine Mile Falls School District with professionalism and care.

Operations, Safety, and Resource Management

Oversee daily operations, supervision, scheduling, and building routines.
Maintain clear, consistent, and sustainable systems for staff and students.
Supervise school activities, athletics, events, and programs as assigned.
Manage budgets, resources, records, reporting, and ASB responsibilities in accordance with district expectations.
Support emergency procedures, safety protocols, crisis response, and facility needs.
Ensure compliance with district, state, and federal requirements.
Fulfill legal responsibilities related to supervision, evaluation, student records, safety, and school operations.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a proven instructional leader who is ready to lead a high school with purpose and consistency.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

A strong record of improving teaching, learning, and student growth outcomes.
Comfort being in classrooms regularly and giving direct, actionable feedback.
The ability to hold expectations consistently while building trust with staff, students, and families.
Strong understanding of secondary instruction, graduation requirements, student support, and school improvement.
Sound judgment during conflict, pressure, or difficult conversations.
A visible leadership presence throughout the school day and at school events.
The ability to build systems people can understand and rely on.
Lead and promote post-secondary pathway success for all students.
A reflective, growth-oriented approach to leadership.

Qualifications & Experience

Master’s degree in educational administration or related field.
Valid Washington State Principal credential, or ability to obtain before the first contracted day.
2 to 5 years of experience as a building level administrator.
Successful experience as a certificated teacher.
Demonstrated knowledge of effective instructional practices at the secondary level.
Demonstrated ability to lead school improvement efforts tied to student learning.
Knowledge of Washington State learning standards, assessment systems, graduation requirements, and public school requirements.
Demonstrated ability to supervise, coach, mentor and evaluate certificated and classified staff.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with students, families, staff, and community members.
Knowledge and effective use of technology to support instructional practices, communication, and building-wide systems.
WSP/FBI clearance, including fingerprint and background check, required upon hire.

Preferred

Successful experience in a high school principal, assistant principal, or comparable secondary leadership role.
Experience leading instructional improvement, school improvement planning, and Professional Learning Communities.
Experience using data to improve achievement, attendance, behavior, graduation progress, and intervention systems.
Experience supporting MTSS, PBIS, restorative practices, or other student support systems.
Experience supervising and evaluating certificated and classified staff.
Experience with master scheduling, CTE, High School and Beyond planning, or other college and career readiness systems.
Demonstrated ability to resolve complex situations involving students, staff, and families.
Experience working in a smaller district or community-connected school environment.
Demonstrated commitment to being an active and visible member of the Nine Mile Community.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Work in a dynamic school environment with frequent interruptions, competing priorities, and time-sensitive decisions.
Use sound judgment, composure, discretion, and professionalism in situations involving conflict or heightened emotion.
Maintain flexibility for evening and weekend events, activities, athletics, emergencies, and deadlines as needed.
Move regularly throughout the building and campus, including classrooms, hallways, offices, parking areas, athletic spaces, and event locations.
Sit, stand, walk, bend, lift 50 lbs., carry materials, and respond quickly to student or building needs as required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Employment Requirements

If an offer of employment is made, new employees must complete a background check for criminal history, including a fingerprint check by the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful outcome of the criminal history background check and approval by the Nine Mile Falls School District Board of Directors.

In the Nine Mile Falls School District

… each student will succeed

… effective instruction is paramount

… quality leadership matters

… reflection improves our practice

… we are each other's best resource

… positive relationships are foundational to our success

We continue to act in a way that matches our beliefs.

For questions, please contact:
Kyle Stussi, Human Resources Specialist
(509) 340-4302

The Nine Mile Falls School District 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, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide 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 and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator
Jeff Baerwald
10110 W Charles Road
Nine Mile Falls WA
99026
509-340-4300
JBaerwald@9mile.org

Section 504/ADA Coordinator
Michelle Mace
10110 W Charles Road
Nine Mile Falls WA 99026
509-340-4300
MMace@9mile.org