Assistant Principal, Elementary

2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR

DISTRICT INFORMATION

Cheney Public Schools is a growing district serving approximately 5,500 students in the southwest region of Spokane County. The district covers 381 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.”

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Assistant Principal is a highly involved instructional leader who works alongside teachers to improve student learning. This role supports strong teaching through  work in Professional Learning Communities, helps remove barriers for students, and keeps the focus on high levels of learning for all students. This position will assist in leading fair and consistent systems for discipline and attendance, while keeping relationships at the center. They are in classrooms often, giving clear, honest feedback that promotes continuous improvement. Strong communication and teamwork with students, staff, families, and the broader community are key.

For the 2026–2027 school year, this Assistant Principal role will serve at Sunset Elementary, along with assisting in planning for the new elementary school opening in 2027–2028. Once that school opens, this person will shift into the Assistant Principal role there.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contribute to successful school leadership through shared responsibility for leading a diverse and complex elementary school program focused on high levels of learning for all students.
• Support high-quality teaching and learning through knowledge of PK–5 standards, culturally competent curriculum, instruction, assessment, and interventions, along with transition from elementary to middle school.
• Assist in leading 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 a deep knowledge of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and the Four Questions that guide our collaborative work. Lead by example and set clear expectations for successful use of PLC time to build on the strength of teamwork to ensure each department is working and learning together to support student achievement.
• 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.
• Coach and support staff to strengthen instruction, classroom management, and teamwork.
• Promote a safe, positive school climate with clear expectations and consistent behavior supports based on the principles of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and in compliance with state laws and district policies.
• Possess emotional intelligence to “read the room,” create positive relationships, and manage conflict.
• Build strong relationships with students, staff, and families. Communicate clearly and handle conflict with professionalism.
• Demonstrate commitment to providing equal opportunities to all staff and students.
• Demonstrate team-building skills, excellent communication, time-management, organization skills, and the ability to use technology to enhance teaching and learning, as well as administrative duties.
• Assist in 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.
• Assist the principal with creating a schedule and (P)K-5 program that meets building and district goals, student needs, and budget constraints.
• Have high visibility at school events as well as throughout the school day in classrooms, hallways, and common areas during the school day and at school events.
• Assist with school-day supervision, bus supervision, and nighttime activities as assigned.
• Participate in screening, selection, training, assignment, and reassignment of school staff, along with coordination of substitutes and student teacher placement.
• Support the evaluation of staff.
• Follow laws, policies, and procedures pertaining to student support and special education.
• Assist with the IEP process as needed to support the Special Education Program, as well as accommodation procedures for students with special needs. 
• Evidence of knowledge of school-related law and collaborative labor-management practices.
• Be proactive in assisting the administrative team in interpreting and implementing school and district policies and procedures and administrative guidelines along with holding students and staff accountable with such.
• Attend to practices which will promote the school in our community, as well as invite and engage the community in the school.
• Strengthen business partnerships and PTO, as well as assist with increasing parent and community involvement.
• Actively participate and serve on the district Leadership Council.
• 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.
• Other duties as assigned.

MENTAL DEMANDS

Required to regularly engage in problem solving and decision making; deal with a wide range of behaviors and needs in a positive and service-oriented manner; may experience shifts in work schedule and/or work site according to student/district needs; sustain mental awareness while also maintaining attention to details and safety requirements; may frequently support with distraught or difficult adults and children. May be required to work extended hours and days as needed to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• May be required to work extended hours and days as needed to fulfill the responsibilities of the position
• Sit, walk, and/or stand for extended periods of time
• Amount of sitting, standing and walking may vary depending on projects/tasks. Generally, the job requires 50% standing, 30% walking, and 20% sitting
• May be exposed to visual display terminal for prolonged periods
• The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, sit, stand, walk, bend at neck and back, twist body, use hands to push/pull and lift/carry, squat, kneel, stoop, and crouch. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions, duties, and responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee often remains indoors, however, may occasionally work in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Educational Administration or related field.
• 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.
• Instructional leadership experiences as an assistant principal, principal assistant, instructional coach, department coordinator, or similar role preferred.
• Willingness and flexibility to be present at a wide variety of school events and activities throughout the year.

CONTRACT:

212 day contract year; job responsibilities will commence on or about July 1, 2026.

TIMELINE:

• Position opening announced: April 3, 2026
• Deadline to receive application materials: April 26, 2026, 11:59 p.m.
• Anticipated interviews: May 12, 2026

APPLICATION PACKET REQUIREMENTS/ATTACHMENTS:

• A completed online application
• Letter of application addressing the desired qualifications (attachment)
• Resume (attachment)
• Four current letters of recommendation to include: immediate supervisor, staff member, colleague
• Transcripts from most recent educational institution (unofficial will suffice)
• Principal/Professional Administrator certificate
• Essay response to the following question (attachment): 
• How do you use teamwork across staff, families, and community partners to create a connected system of support for ALL students?

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.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Salary : $134,260 - $158,426