Middle School Principal - Lakeside Middle School

Posting # 27-26/27

Job Title: Middle School Principal - Lakeside Middle School

Open: 6/15/2026

First File Review: 6/22/2026

Interviews: 6/25-26/2026

Closed: Open Until Filled

Leadership That Brings Clarity, Consistency, and Purpose

Middle school is a turning point for students. They are discovering who they are, what they are capable of, and how school can either open doors or quietly close them. At this age, students need staff members who are steady and clear, but also patient enough to see the student behind the behavior or the struggle. They need strong instruction, predictable systems, positive relationships, and a school culture where staff work together because each student matters.

Lakeside Middle School is seeking a principal who understands that relationships and accountability are not opposites. The right leader will be present in the daily life of the school, grounded in instruction, and able to support staff while also bringing clarity and follow-through to the work. This role requires someone who can help a school reflect honestly, improve together, and stay focused on what students need most.

This is a meaningful leadership opportunity in a small, relationship-driven district with committed staff, strong community connections, and students who deserve our best every day. We are looking for a principal who values trust, shared responsibility, and the kind of leadership that helps people do their best work. The right leader will help create a school where expectations are clear, instruction is strong, relationships are foundational, and responsibility for student success is shared.

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, based on the 2026-2027 Salary Matrix, is $138,597 to $149,950. Salary placement will be determined in accordance with the appropriate salary schedule and verified relevant experience. This position also receives six (6) additional per diem days, vacation cashout, and a cell phone 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 Middle School, Grades 6-8

Enrollment: Approximately 320 students

Position Summary

The Principal serves as the instructional and operational leader of Lakeside Middle School. This role requires a leader who is present, steady, and committed to helping students and staff do their best work.

The principal supports effective instruction, builds consistent student support systems, supervises and develops staff, communicates with families, and helps create a school culture where expectations are clear and relationships matter. The work includes building administration, safety, compliance, extracurricular oversight, and daily operations, but the purpose behind all of it is student success.

The principal is expected to be visible in classrooms, hallways, meetings, activities, and conversations that require care and follow-through. This is a leadership role that requires sound judgment, consistency, and the ability to make decisions while keeping people, relationships, and learning at the center.

The principal also serves as a member of the district administrative team and works closely with the Superintendent and district leaders to support district priorities and improve student outcomes.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, supervision, and evaluation of the instructional program.
• Maintain a regular presence in classrooms through walkthroughs, observations, feedback, and instructional conversations.
• Set and maintain expectations for instruction, assessment, student engagement, professional practice, collaboration, communication, and follow-through.
• Lead and monitor the School Improvement Plan using school-level data, staff collaboration, and clear goals for student learning.
• Support Professional Learning Communities and professional development focused on instructional consistency, student growth, and shared responsibility.
• Evaluate, supervise, coach, support, and develop certificated and classified staff in accordance with district expectations, state requirements, and applicable evaluation frameworks.
• Recruit, interview, recommend, onboard, and support high-quality staff.
• Build a staff culture rooted in trust, teamwork, professionalism, reflection, and accountability.
• Address concerns directly, respectfully, and in a timely manner.
• Maintain a safe, respectful, and orderly school environment with clear expectations for students and Staff.
• Lead consistent systems for behavior, attendance, discipline, intervention, student support, and school safety.
• Develop, monitor, and strengthen Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for academic, behavioral, attendance, and social-emotional needs.
• Support students receiving special education, English language, Section 504, or other services in accordance with district, state, and federal requirements.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with students, staff, families, and community members.
• Facilitate problem-solving when concerns arise between students, staff, and families.
• Support activities, athletics, leadership, and school events that strengthen student connection and school pride.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the school, including supervision, scheduling, staffing, emergency procedures, and building routines.
• Manage school budget, ASB processes, purchasing, records, reporting, and fiscal responsibilities in accordance with district procedures.
• Supervise the maintenance, operation, care, and security of the building, grounds, and equipment.
• Ensure compliance with district policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable state and federal laws.
• Advise and update the Superintendent regarding school programs, progress, concerns, and needs.
• Use sound judgment, integrity, discretion, and professional composure during conflict, pressure, or difficult conversations.
• Lead Staff through change with clarity, consistency, and respect.
• Act in alignment with the district's belief that each student will succeed, effective instruction is paramount, quality leadership matters, reflection improves our practice, we are each other's best resource, and positive relationships are foundational to our success.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

Most of all, we are looking for someone who believes students deserve a school where staff are aligned, instruction is strong, expectations are clear, and relationships are real.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in educational administration or related field.
• Valid Washington State Principal credential, or ability to obtain before the first contracted day.
• Valid Washington State teaching certificate, or prior certificated experience appropriate to the role.
• Successful experience as a building administrator and certificated educator.
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective instructional practices at the middle school or secondary level.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, coach, and evaluate certificated and classified staff.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with students, families, staff, and community members.
• Knowledge of Washington State learning standards, assessment systems, and public school requirements.
• Knowledge and effective use of technology to support instruction, communication, and building-wide systems.
• Ability to meet multiple demands in a pressure situation while maintaining high-quality work.
• WSP/FBI clearance, including fingerprint and background check, required upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Middle school teaching experience.
• Experience leading instructional improvement, school improvement planning, or Professional Learning Communities.
• Experience using data to improve achievement, attendance, behavior, engagement, or 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, student activities, athletics, ASB, or other middle school operational systems.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve complex situations involving students, staff, and families.
• Experience working in a smaller district or community-connected school environment.

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, playground areas, and event locations.
• Sit, stand, walk, bend, lift, 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 fingerprinting 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

Nondiscrimination Statement

The Nine Mile Falls School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities based on 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