About this role
PK-8 SCHOOL PRINCIPAL (INTERIM) Job Description 1.0 FTE - 2026-27 School Year Principal Salary Schedule Position Summary The PK–8 Principal serves as the instructional and operational leader of the Early Learning Center of Ouray, Ouray Elementary School, and Ouray Middle School and is responsible for ensuring high levels of academic achievement, student growth, and positive school culture for all students. The Principal collaborates with students, staff, families, community partners, and the superintendent to develop and implement a shared vision for student success while maintaining safe, inclusive, and effective learning environments.The principal's practice will reflect the expectations of the four CDE Principal Quality Standards: Organizational Leadership, Inclusive Leadership, Instructional Leadership, and Professionalism. (Colorado Department of Education) Key Responsibilities & Expectations (with CDE Principal Standard Alignment) Below is how key duties align with each Principal Quality Standard: Principal Quality Standard Key Responsibilities (examples in the role)
Standard I: Organizational Leadership
• Collaboratively develop, communicate, and implement a shared school vision, mission, and strategic improvement plan.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts through analysis of student achievement, growth, attendance, behavior, climate, and operational data.
• Supervise, evaluate, support, and develop certified and classified staff.
• Manage school budgets, staffing allocations, schedules, facilities, transportation coordination, and operational systems.
• Ensure compliance with district, state, and federal laws, regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate effective communication systems with students, staff, families, and community stakeholders.
• Lead school accountability, accreditation, and improvement planning processes.
Standard II: Inclusive Leadership
• Foster a positive, safe, welcoming, and inclusive school culture that promotes belonging and student well-being.
• Promote equitable access to academic opportunities, interventions, extracurricular activities, and student supports.
• Establish systems that support positive student behavior, attendance, and engagement.
• Lead MTSS, intervention, and student support processes to ensure all learners receive appropriate support.
• Facilitate shared leadership opportunities among teachers, staff, students, and families.
• Build meaningful partnerships with parents, community organizations, and local agencies.
• Ensure school practices reflect cultural responsiveness and respect for diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Standard III: Instructional Leadership
• Lead implementation of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and grading practices aligned to district and state standards.
• Establish clear expectations for effective instruction and student learning outcomes.
• Conduct frequent classroom observations and provide actionable feedback that supports professional growth.
• Utilize student achievement and growth data to guide instructional decision-making and resource allocation.
• Lead Teacher Teams as Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and foster collaborative professional learning.
• Support implementation of evidence-based instructional practices and interventions.
• Hold staff accountable for measurable student growth and achievement outcomes.
• Ensure effective instructional programming for PK–8 students, including literacy, mathematics, special education, gifted education, and intervention services.
Standard IV: Professionalism
• Demonstrate ethical leadership, integrity, transparency, and professionalism in all actions and decisions.
• Engage in continuous professional learning and reflective practice.
• Model professionalism and establish high expectations for staff conduct.
• Collaborate effectively with district leadership, neighboring districts, community partners, and professional organizations.
• Advocate for students, staff, and public education.
• Represent the school and district positively within the community.
• Develop partnerships that enhance student learning, wellness, and postsecondary readiness.
Special Emphases / Core Functions While all duties should reflect the Principal Quality Standards above, this position will emphasize: Instructional Excellence
• Serve as the primary instructional leader of the PK–8 school.
• Establish school-wide academic goals and monitor progress toward achievement and growth targets.
• Coordinate intervention systems to support students performing above, at, and below grade level expectations.
• Support implementation of district curriculum, assessments, and instructional initiatives.
• Lead efforts to improve literacy, mathematics, and student engagement outcomes.
School Culture & Student Supports
• Foster a culture of belonging, respect, safety, and high expectations.
• Oversee student discipline processes using restorative and educational approaches whenever appropriate.
• Lead school safety planning, emergency preparedness, and crisis response efforts.
• Coordinate MTSS, behavior supports, attendance interventions, and student support teams.
• Promote social-emotional learning and positive school climate initiatives.
Personnel Leadership
• Recruit, hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff.
• Develop leadership capacity among teachers and support staff.
• Coordinate staff professional development aligned to school improvement goals.
• Build collaborative structures that promote shared ownership of student outcomes.
• Address personnel concerns in accordance with district policy and collective agreements.
Family & Community Engagement
• Maintain strong communication and positive relationships with families.
• Facilitate family involvement in school programs and decision-making processes.
• Build partnerships with community organizations, businesses, and agencies that support student success.
• Serve as the primary representative of the school within the community.
• Promote transparency and trust through regular communication regarding school goals and outcomes.
Operations & Resource Management
• Develop and monitor the school budget in collaboration with district leadership.
• Oversee scheduling, staffing, facilities usage, transportation coordination, and operational planning.
• Ensure efficient use of fiscal, human, and material resources.
• Maintain compliance with safety requirements, reporting obligations, and district policies.
• Coordinate school events, testing programs, and state accountability requirements.
Professional Oversight & Evaluation
• The Principal's evaluation will utilize the Colorado State Model Principal Evaluation Framework.
• Evaluation measures may include student academic growth, school performance indicators, organizational effectiveness, school climate measures, and evidence aligned to the Colorado Principal Quality Standards.
• The Principal is expected to maintain evidence and artifacts demonstrating leadership effectiveness and progress toward school improvement goals.
• The Principal will establish annual professional practice and student outcome goals in collaboration with the Superintendent.
Qualifications & Skills Required:
• Master's degree from an accredited institution.
• Hold or be able to obtain a Colorado Principal License.
• Minimum of three years of successful licensed educational experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of curriculum, instruction, assessment, school improvement, and educational leadership.
• Knowledge of Colorado accountability systems, educator evaluation requirements, and state/federal education regulations.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to analyze and utilize data to improve student outcomes.
• Ability to build positive relationships with students, staff, families, and community partners.
Preferred:
• Administrative experience as a principal, assistant principal, dean, or instructional leader.
• Experience leading school improvement initiatives and strategic planning.
• Experience in a rural or small-school setting.
• Experience supervising and evaluating licensed and classified staff.
• Knowledge of MTSS, PLCs, restorative practices, and inclusive educational systems.
Working Conditions & Expectations
• Frequent interaction with students, families, staff, community members, and district personnel.
• Requires attendance at occasional evening and weekend events, meetings, performances, athletic events, and community functions.
• Attendance at Board of Education regular meetings and work sessions when relevant.
• May require extended work hours during emergencies, school safety incidents, or critical operational needs.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with all district policies, procedures, and ethical standards.
• Serve as an active member of the district leadership team, including the Board of Education's executive team.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.
Ouray School District R-1 is an equal opportunity educational institution and will not discriminate on the basis of racial or ethnic background, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, ancestry, disability or need for special education services, marital status, and family composition in educational programs or activities which it operates, or any other applicable status protected by federal, state or local law. For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, contact Tod Lokey, Compliance Officer, Ouray School District R-1, 400 7th Ave, Ouray, CO 81427, (970) 325-4505, [email protected], or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 Spear Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, (303) 844-5695. Created: June, 2026