High School Principal (ALE)

POSITION  Alternative High School Principal  

LOCATION  Dishman Hills High School

FTE  1.0

DAYS/YEAR  215

CONTRACT  Continuing

SALARY  Per the WVPA Salary Schedule 

• Dependent on verified education and experience
• Prorated for partial FTE positions
• Additional compensation and benefits as outlined in the WVPA CBA
• Placement according to experience in WVPA group
• Pay is annualized over 12 months

JOB TYPE     Exempt

UNION/CONTRACT   West Valley Principals Association (WVPA)

START DATE  2026-2027 School Year

SUMMARY

The Dishman Hills High School Principal provides leadership aligned with the district’s strategic goals and the school’s personalized, mastery-based, and student-centered model. The principal leads a public alternative high school designed around relationships, relevance, rigor, flexible scheduling, mentoring, project-based learning, and multiple pathways for students to demonstrate mastery.

The principal ensures instructional excellence, effective school operations, strong Professional Learning Communities, and a positive school climate that supports student achievement and well-being. This position includes the school’s multidistrict online program and ensures compliance with applicable OSPI online learning and Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) requirements. The principal is responsible for leading the broader DHHS model, including mastery-based learning, mentoring, student support systems, data reporting, technical systems, grants, state collaboration, and continuous improvement.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in supporting and advocating for the success of students with diverse needs.
• Experience leading or working in an Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) or non-traditional high school setting.
• Experience implementing personalized, project-based, competency-based, virtual, or blended learning models.
• Demonstrated success improving student outcomes through data-driven leadership and Professional Learning Communities (PLCs).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Washington State K-12 Principal Certification, or the ability to obtain one, no later than the first working day.
• Master’s Degree with a major in educational administration or education leadership.
• Three years of successful credentialed experience at the secondary level.
• Successful Washington State Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation Fingerprint Clearance.
• Completion of all district-required training within thirty (30) calendar days from the hire date.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead Dishman Hills High School in alignment with district goals, school improvement priorities, and the school’s mission, vision, and core values.
• Promote a school culture grounded in belonging, self-discovery, personalized learning, perseverance, equity, and high expectations for all students.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with staff to create a culture of belonging, high expectations, and access to learning for all students.
• Promote and sustain a safe, welcoming school environment that supports students’ social, emotional, and academic success.
• Lead and sustain DHHS’s mastery-based learning model, including shared school wide outcomes, outcome targets, common rubrics, multiple evidence opportunities, feedback, revision, reassessment, and mastery-based grading practices.
• Ensure grading and assessment practices reflect current student mastery.
• Support implementation of project-based learning, culturally responsive and sustaining education, student voice and choice, and personalized learning pathways.
• Ensure compliance with Washington State ALE laws, including WAC 392-121-182.
• Oversee the development and implementation of Written Student Learning Plans (WSLPs) for all ALE students.
• Oversee the school’s multidistrict online program and ensure compliance with OSPI online learning requirements, approval processes, reporting expectations, and district procedures.
• Monitor the accuracy of online learning and ALE-related reporting, including CEDARS, P223, enrollment, attendance, and out-of-district choice documentation.
• Lead preparation for and response to OSPI compliance reviews, and ensure ALE courses and materials meet state standards and district requirements.
• Collaborate with OSPI, the Washington State Board of Education, district leaders, and other partners related to online learning, ALE, mastery-based learning, grants, legal changes, reporting, and program development.
• Supervise and support staff effectively planning and delivering in-person, virtual, hybrid, and individualized instruction.
• Oversee student support systems, including attendance monitoring, Student Support Team processes, student logs, re-engagement supports, and coordinated academic, behavioral, and social-emotional interventions.
• Provide instructional leadership by setting high expectations aligned to district priorities, state standards, DHHS shared outcomes and targets, and student needs.
• Lead implementation of evidence-based, standards-aligned instructional practices and a guaranteed and viable curriculum.
• Use data to guide decision-making, monitor student progress, identify trends and support differentiated instruction, and improve student outcomes.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement through teacher leadership, coaching, feedback, and professional learning.
• Lead the continued implementation of strong Professional Learning Communities focused on curriculum alignment, student data, mastery-based practices, Tier 1 supports, whole-child learning, and continuous improvement.
• Supervise, evaluate, and support staff using district frameworks and performance systems.
• Lead inclusive and equitable programs for students receiving special education, multilingual services, 504 supports, and other student services.
• Engage families and community partners to support student learning, engagement, re-engagement, and school improvement.
• Promote the school’s success and serve as a visible, accessible and empathetic leader.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with all stakeholders and district leadership.
• Run, analyze, and communicate reports to support student intervention, staff collaboration, compliance, grant reporting, and school improvement.
• Oversee student activities and ensure compliance with district policies, professional standards, and labor agreements.
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of Washington State ALE regulations, compliance requirements, reporting, and program documentation.
• Understanding of mastery-based practices, including shared outcomes, outcome targets, evidence opportunities, rubric-based feedback, revision, reassessment, and grading for current mastery.
• Familiarity with online learning platforms, learning management systems (LMS), and multidistrict online program requirements.
• Ability to monitor student engagement in flexible, non-seat-time learning environments.
• Understanding of credit retrieval, alternative pathways, graduation planning, and re-engagement strategies.
• Strong understanding of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and their role in school improvement.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement practices, including data cycles and Plan-Do-Study-Act.
• Ability to use data to inform instruction and improve student outcomes.
• Understanding of adult learning and strategies to build staff capacity in a specialized school model.
• Commitment to equity, culturally responsive and sustaining education, restorative practices, and practices that close opportunity and achievement gaps.
• Ability to lead improvement through clear communication, goal setting, feedback, and systems thinking.
• Experience supporting staff growth and accountability for results.
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, project management, and team-building skills.
• Ability to build relationships across diverse communities and support inclusive dialogue.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build strong relationships with students, staff, families, district leaders, state partners, and community members.
• Skill in resolving conflict and building consensus.
• Commitment to ethical and professional standards, including confidentiality.
• Ability to adapt to change, work independently, and model continuous learning.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The position requires leadership in a dynamic school environment that includes in-person, virtual, and hybrid learning settings. The principal works in a school office environment with frequent and extended use of computers, technology systems, and digital communication tools. The role requires extended and flexible hours, including evenings and occasional weekends, to support school operations, student activities, and community engagement. The position involves frequent interaction with students, staff, families, and community members, and requires maintaining a visible presence throughout the school and community. The principal must manage multiple priorities, respond to changing needs, and use data systems to support decision-making. Travel to district meetings and professional development is also required.

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR

Superintendent/ Assistant Superintendent

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary and work year are determined by the negotiated agreement and the needs of the District.

Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be completed before employment commences. The successful candidate for this position must complete a fingerprinted background check with the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Employment is contingent upon clearance of the background check.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HEALTHCARE BENEFITS - Employees who meet the eligibility criteria outlined in Chapter 182-31 WAC have access to medical, dental, vision, supplemental life, and supplemental disability insurance through the School Employee Benefit Board (SEBB).

RETIREMENT - All regular, non-substitute employees are enrolled in a state retirement plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).

SICK LEAVE - All regular, non-substitute employees receive 12 sick leave days (prorated based on FTE) and paid time off. Substitute employees receive sick leave per RCW 49.46.210.

PAID TIME OFF - All regular, non-substitute employees receive paid time off, including annual and/or vacation leave. Paid time off varies by position and work year. Refer to the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement or salary schedule for details.

OTHER BENEFITS

Classified employees receive 10-13 paid holidays (depending on position & work year). Refer to the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement or salary schedule for details.

Employees may be eligible for VEBA including monthly accrual and/or sick leave conversion. Benefits are position specific. Refer to the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement or salary schedule for details.

West Valley 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: Sabre Dahl, 2805 N Argonne Rd., Spokane Valley WA 99212, Phone: (509) 924-2150,  sabre.dahl@WVSD.org.  Section 504 Coordinator, Dan Andrews, 2805 N Argonne Rd., Spokane Valley WA 99212, Phone: (509) 922-5478, dan.andrews@WVSD.org.

Salary : $154,904 - $176,526