RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL POSTING

Position: Elementary School Principal

Location: River Valley Elementary School (PK-5)

Compensation: Upper $90,000 range annually (based on experience, degrees, and certifications)

Start Date: Summer of 2025

Position Overview

River Valley School District invites passionate, experienced, and student-centered leaders to apply for the position of Elementary Principal at River Valley Elementary, a thriving PK–5 building nestled in a close-knit and supportive community. Our school culture is built on strong relationships and shared values of integrity, respect, responsibility, kindness, innovation, and determination as outlined in our Strategic Plan. This role is ideal for a collaborative and empathetic leader who is ready to join a team that believes in doing meaningful work - and doing it together.

River Valley Elementary is proud to serve a diverse group of students, staff, and families. The next principal will inherit a talented team and a school community that values professionalism, humor, trust, and a deep commitment to student growth. The successful candidate will understand the importance of presence, visibility, and approachability, and will bring the energy and creativity needed to lead in a rural school with high standards and high support.

This position is rooted in River Valley’s Strategic Plan, which emphasizes continuous improvement, strong two-way communication, shared identity, culture of learning, and high expectations. These priorities guide our commitment to ensuring all students feel known, supported, and challenged in a community that values connection and excellence. You will be supported by a district team that believes in building leaders and giving them space to lead. We are not looking for someone with all the answers. We are looking for someone who knows how to ask the right questions, lean into difficult work, and inspire people to do their best.

This is a salaried professional role that requires active and visible leadership beyond the traditional school day, including participation in evening and weekend events that help build relationships and represent the school in the broader community.

Qualifications and other requirements – To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:

Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership/Administration
Valid Michigan Administrative Certification
Minimum of three (3) years of successful administrative experience
Demonstrated excellence in elementary instruction and instructional leadership
Deep understanding of early literacy and the science of reading
Working knowledge of the Michigan Integrated Continuous Improvement Process (MICIP), school improvement frameworks, and instructional data cycles
Proven ability to lead Professional Learning Communities and support staff capacity through coaching and collaboration
Positive role model who exemplifies values such as integrity, respect, kindness, responsibility, innovation, determination, and trustworthiness
Possesses a deep desire to positively impact students, families, and educators
Demonstrates excellent work ethic and commitment to leading and serving others
Has excellent interpersonal skills, such as empathy, approachability, and respect in order to work in and lead teams of people effectively
Maintains strict confidentiality and understands and its importance in maintaining positive relationships
Is professional, exercises tact, and responds well under pressure
Has excellent oral and written communication skills
Has strong organizational skills with the ability to plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate multiple programs / services
Has ability and desire to problem solve, collaborate, mediate, adapt, make decisions, and is a trustworthy self-starter who takes responsibility for decisions
Has ability to find balance in complicated situations to ensure adherence to policies while doing so in an empathetic manner
Demonstrating commitment to developing high expectations in staff and students to maximize their potential
Desire and ability to communicate with cooperatively and effectively with students and families
Has proven success in working with diverse students, parents, staff, and community
Has knowledge of continuous improvement processes and the MICIP Platform.
Has knowledge of and willingness to learn more about best practices in instruction and assessment and effective professional development
Ability and desire to support, recognize, encourage, and develop educators
Demonstrates leadership skills with the ability to work as a team at both the building and district level
Knowledge and commitment to developing students/staff Social/Emotional Skills so they can fulfill our mission of engaging, empowering and elevating the potential of our school community.
Student-focused with the ability and desire to work with at-risk students and their families
Willing and able to demonstrate commitment to the River Valley community
Has experience using technology, including AI, to increase learning, engagement, effectiveness and efficiency
Knowledge and/or experience with Career Awareness and Exploration

Preferred experience

Knowledge and/or experience with the Thoughtful Classroom Teacher Evaluation model.
Prior leadership experience in a rural or small-town school setting
Has experience using technology for teaching, learning, data analysis, managing work and professional development.
Familiarity with STAR, AimsWeb Plus, Delta Math, DreamBox Reading and Math, Amplify Boost, NWEA, PowerSchool, and other data-based instructional tools

Essential functions of the job include but are not limited to the following:

It is mutually understood that this is a salaried professional administrative position, not an hourly job. Reliable, regular, and punctual on-site attendance is required to perform the essential functions, duties, and responsibilities of Principal. Typical minimum required hours are 7:15 AM to 3:45 PM.
Highly visible before and after school and in hallways at passing times and in the cafeteria at lunch times.
Engages positively in Principals, Ad Council, MHS Office, CURCO, and CILT Meetings.
Leads and engages deeply in all staff and office meetings.
Implements and supports Board of Education Policies and Administrative Guidelines relating to the school and its programs/activities.
Attend, engage in, and supervise concerts and school events to support students and staff
Develop the culture of River Valley Elementary School to be positive, respectful, fun, and effective teaching and learning environment
Model the behaviors we expect of our students by being respectful, responsible, kind, and trustworthy.
Teach appropriate behaviors in group and individual settings so students understand why rules exist and strategies to live by them.
Implement and enforce the student handbook with an empathetic lens and knowledge of the impact of trauma and restorative practices
Ensure the Student Handbook is implemented in a firm, fair, and friendly manner.
Carefully investigate behavior referrals and ensure due process rights of students are respected
Crisis Management: Collaborate with school administrators to respond to critical incidents and emergencies, maintaining the safety and security of all students.
Supervising the overall operations and administration of the River Valley Elementary School.
Provide leadership in planning, implementing, and evaluating educational programs and approved curriculum to meet the needs of all students.
Maintaining and develop positive student behaviors and enjoyable/safe learning environment in the school, on school property, and on school transportation by administering appropriate student discipline and behavior intervention strategies through an effective Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support System (PBIS)
Maintain and develop strong systems of Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to ensure student learning and improved student achievement
Facilitates the development, implementation, and achievement of Continuous Improvement goals, strategies, and measurements of success.
Ability to encourage, coach and develop staff with instructional practices, communication processes, and developing positive relationships.
Supervises, evaluates, and makes recommendations for hiring, discipline, or dismissal of school personnel.
Plans, organizes, supervises and directs all professional development, staff meetings, and school activities.
Enjoy being with children in all school settings and developing positive/respectful relationships with them
Works with staff to design, implement, monitor, and evaluate programs and practices.
Communicates with the school community to promote understanding and support of the educational program, and to keep the community informed of activities/events.
Utilizes all resources of the school district and the community in developing the most effective educational program for students.
Prepares, directs, and supervises the maintenance of master teaching schedules, required pupil records, and student accounting process.
Administers employee negotiated contracts.
Prepares or supervises the preparation of reports, records, lists and all other documents as requested in a timely manner.
Collaborates with central office staff in finding solutions for meeting the needs of the school with respect to personnel, equipment, supplies, and curriculum.
Prepares and monitors the building budgets.
Prepares and delivers monthly reports to the Board of Education.
Active participation in district administrative leadership and consultation with Superintendent and other district administrators/supervisors.
Promote a safe, inclusive, and responsive learning environment through restorative and trauma-informed practices
Supervise instruction, support teacher development, and evaluate staff using the district’s evaluation framework
Facilitate effective PLCs and ensure the use of data to guide instruction and interventions in order to improve student achievement
Collaborate with the central office on hiring, scheduling, budgeting, curriculum, and professional learning
Maintain accountability for compliance, safety, building culture, and board policy
Serve as the face and spirit of River Valley Elementary at school and district events
Performs other duties/tasks as assigned by the Superintendent.

Leadership Profile

Reflecting the voice of our staff and school community:

Leads with integrity, warmth, and fairness; firm when needed, compassionate always
Visible, accessible, and fully engaged in the life of the building
Respects and trusts teachers as professionals and thought partners, while maintaining accountability for instructional growth and clear expectations
Listens first, acts with intention, and communicates clearly
Embraces the culture of our building - fun, focused, and grounded in the belief that all kids can grow and learn
Demonstrates a strong background in elementary education and curriculum
Understands and supports behavioral and academic systems for early learners
Uses data wisely, communicates expectations clearly, and celebrates growth
Handles conflict with calm, fairness, and follow-through
Brings creative thinking, a future-minded perspective, and a willingness to grow with the team
Prepares and delivers evaluations that are both encouraging and growth-oriented, recognizing strengths while constructively addressing areas for improvement
Navigates the challenge of teaching expectations and accountability to students using age-appropriate interpretations of the student handbook, social-emotional learning, and restorative practices
Sees the broader vision of PreK–12 learning and works closely with the MHS Principal and district leadership to prepare students for life beyond school

Physical requirements of the job – While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, read, operate a computer or other learning devices, reach with hands or arms, and may occasionally push or lift light objects. The job requires the employee to be directly responsible for safety and well-being of other people. The successful candidate must be able to independently ambulate throughout the school building, enter and exit classrooms, and move across campus to fulfill job duties. This includes the ability to stand and walk for extended periods, respond quickly to student needs, and navigate stairs or uneven surfaces as needed. Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

ALL INTERESTED APPLICANTS must apply through Red Rover: https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/RVSD

Please upload your letter of interest, résumé, reference letters, transcripts, and other pertinent information directly to your application.

Questions may be directed to our Superintendent, Dave Campbell, at (269) 756-7675 or dcampbell@rivervalleyschools.org

Date of Posting: May 30, 2025 Deadline Date: Until filled

The River Valley School District Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or transgender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, (collectively, “Protected Classes”), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated against or denied equal opportunity or access to the District’s programs, activities, or services may contact the District, 15480 Three Oaks Road, Three Oaks, MI 49128, 269-756-9541.

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www.rivervalleyschools.org