Reports To: Regional School Superintendent

Boston Public Schools is seeking an Assistant Superintendent of Melvin H. King South End Academies who will serve as the leader of the schools and will be responsible for setting policies, defining key practices and collaborating and supporting enrollment leveraging the school's entrance and exit criteria and student support by integrating and strengthening therapeutic and academic programming for students.

Melvin H. King South End Academy was recently renamed to honor the life and legacy of the late Melvin H. King. As such, the Assistant Superintendent must build the school identity around the legacy of Melvin H. King himself and make entry into the school an entry into a legacy of leadership and advocacy. Combined with this expectation, the ideal candidate for the Assistant Superintendent position must possess a deep background in all aspects of special education and related services, strong policy experience and a history of integrating therapeutic and academic programming for students.

The next Assistant Superintendent must partner with the Head of School and their team to:

• Systematize the integration of academic and therapeutic work.
• Increase Tier 1 academic expectations and Tier 2 and 3 literacy support.
• Continue to work with families to move students to their LRE.
• Ensure the student experience of adult relationships and school climate is positive and strong to earn trust and demonstrate a commitment.
• Ensure students of the MHKSEA are provided access to opportunities and programs consistent with other schools.
• Comprehend special education law and ensure compliance with all state and federal special education regulations.
• Manage the school to maintain a safe, secure, and effective learning environment by providing a high degree of structure, clear expectations, and consistency. Ensure the rights of all students are observed and protected through the use of appropriate and respectful communication, proper de-escalation techniques, and correct physical restraint methods when necessary.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (academic and therapeutic) to implement Ross Greene's Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model and Safety Care Crisis Prevention strategies school-wide and ensure staff are trained in and utilize principles of Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) and Safety Care Crisis Prevention.
• Objectively evaluate academic and/or behavioral outcomes through a system of data collection and analysis that drives decision-making.
• Remain current with accepted and appropriate instructional theory, practice, and research, including engaging in regular and strategic professional development to stay current in best practices for diverse learners.
• Implement MTSS ensuring universal high-quality, rigorous instruction and services support are provided to all students (Tier 1), targeted instruction that is linguistically and culturally responsive and provides students with opportunities to practice skills necessary to meaningfully participate in Tier 1 core instruction and/or services are available to all identified students in small groups (Tier 2), and intensive instruction and services support are available to identified students in very small groups or individually through explicit, systematic and research-based interventions with progress monitoring (Tier 3).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supporting Mel King Academy

• Ensures the full implementation of the Mel King Academy's Quality School Plan
• Connects the mission of Mel King Academy, and its Innovation Plan, with programs and resources throughout the City of Boston
• Leads the development of a school culture that is driven by student interest and student success.
• Assists Head of School with the development of the Quality School Plan
• Reviews, monitors, and audits school targets
• Ensures that school executes system initiatives with fidelity
• Conducts gap analysis/needs assessments against school-based targets
• Supports the development of instructional leadership of Head of School with particular focus on instruction, data analysis, intervention and developing capacity
• Assists Head of School with the development of action plans that improve student achievement;
• Collaborates with departments to provide the appropriate system resources that address the needs of school;
• Visits classrooms and interacts with school leadership to understand school needs
• Plans and leads differentiated professional learning experiences for Head of School and
• leadership team
• Provides, in concert with the Head of School support and guidance for school staffing and budgeting decisions through the Probable Organization and Budget Checkout processes
• Participates in Class Size Review to determine appropriate staffing levels
• Provides support around the enrollment project process that drives school-based budget
• Creates a culture of inquiry and mutual accountability
• Cultivates partnerships with businesses and employers to provide CTE learning experiences for MP students
• Collaborating with appropriate central offices and school leadership teams to ensure implementation of equitable entry and exit criteria

Supervising and Evaluating the Mel King Academy

• Supervises the Head of School through performance evaluation, observations, interactions, and Feedback
• Ensures that all personnel are supported, supervised, and evaluated
• Ensures that clear standards and frameworks for principal evaluation are implemented
• Develops leadership objectives of Mel King Academy based on performance and site-based satisfaction
• Works with principal to establish an action plan that will assist leader in meeting instructional leadership objectives and Mel King Academy to meet performance targets
• Works with principal to ensure that staff are culturally competent and diverse Liaising with central office departments
• Liaises with and interfaces with all central office departments related to operational and instructional management of the school
• Provides feedback from school to inform district policy
• Leads the team in capturing and disseminating knowledge to and from schools as well as across networks and departments
• Assists with the recruitment, interviewing, selection and matching of outstanding teachers for the school
• Assists the Chief of Schools by serving as a senior ambassador or representative of BPS leadership at public events, community meetings, and other gatherings of BPS stakeholders
• Works with the Office of Family & Community Advancement to assist in building partnerships with families and the community that support student learning

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Interpersonal and team building skills
• Builds and maintains strong relationships
• Works successfully alone and on a team
• Coaches, coordinates, and leads teams
• Possesses strong verbal and written communication skills; tailors message for the audience, context, and mode of communication

• Actively listens to others and effectively interprets others' motivations and perceptions.
• Builds consensus and resolves conflicts; exhibits willingness to have difficult conversations
• Skillfully navigates existing political structures/systems

Problem solving and systems thinking:

• Understands how various systems / departments interact to achieve the long term goal
• Develops expertise on domains outside of direct control
• Makes decisions using data and technology
• Exhibits structured thinking
• Removes barriers or obstacles that make it difficult for Mel King Academy Head of School to achieve goals and ensures that the Head of School has all resources needed to succeed
• Able to coordinate across multiple departments and build effective relationships to efficiently identify the best and most timely solutions to critical teacher quality issues

Empathy and commitment to cause:

• Deep understanding of the school system and commitment to improving student achievement
• Thorough knowledge of effective instruction and knowledge of current theories of curriculum instruction and assessment
• Passionately believes that all students can achieve at high levels
• Demonstrates cultural competence and a deep understanding of and empathy for issues facing urban families

Ability to turn ideas into action:

• Identifies and prioritizes mission critical priorities
• Takes initiative to solve problems and create stakeholder buy-in
• Exhibits strong focus on goals and results; sets clear metrics for success

Administration and project management skills:

• Works well under pressure
• Successfully manages multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrates strong time management

Fundraising and Development:

• Develop goals and strategies to meet annual fundraising targets
• Maintain communications and partnerships with donors and stakeholders
• Identify potential sources of funding support through foundations, individuals, and charities
• Work with grant writing team to submit awards and grants

Leadership skills:

• Establishes clear expectations, deliverables and deadlines
• Sets clear agendas and facilitates effective meetings
• Ability to train, supervise, and evaluate staff from different cultural backgrounds and skill sets

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Master's degree (Doctorate preferred) from an accredited college or university with course work in educational administration, education, and curriculum development
• Considerable experience as a principal that includes a demonstrated record of improving student achievement in a diverse, urban setting, with demonstrated experiences in career and technical education
• Experience in leading/advising high-quality mentor/mentee relations, whether between teachers or administrators
• Hold or be eligible to obtain a valid Massachusetts Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent license
• Current authorization to work in the United States - Candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment

TERMS: Managerial, Tier E81 $153,780.
12 Months with after business hours and weekend time commitments as needed.