High School Principal

ASD is seeking a High School Principal for the 2026\-2027 school year.

Recruitment Timeline Given the late\-season timing, we are moving through an expedited selection process:

* Applications Close: Sunday, May 10th

* Virtual Screening Interviews: Wednesday, May 13th

* Final In\-Person Interviews: Monday, May 18th

Position Title: High School Principal

Department: Aspen High School

Reports to: Superintendent or designee

Classification: Salaried, Full\-time Exempt

Contract Period: 210 Days as determined annually

Compensation: Starting Salary Placement range of $120,000 \- $150,000 DOE, subsequent annual increases as determined.

Benefits: ASD offers district\-funded employee and dependent health benefits including medical, vision, dental, and life insurance to benefit\-eligible employees. Other benefits include (as eligible): paid leave, CO PERA (pension plan) enrollment with district contribution, TSA options, free transportation for employees from Carbondale to Aspen, employee assistance program, wellness program, supplemental insurance (ie cancer, disability, etc). Affordable Employee/Family Housing Available.

I: Position Summary

The essential function of the position is to provide the leadership and management necessary at Aspen High School (grades 9\-12\) to maximize the efforts of teachers and students in an environment which is conducive to educational enhancement, growth and achievement for students. The position is responsible for directing all daily operations of the school campus, supervising and coordinating the work of all professional and support personnel, ensuring adherence to District and school policies, regulations and goals, preparing required reports, and performing other professional, administrative and supervisory work as required.

II: Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This list represents the essential tasks performed by the position. These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other duties as assigned.

• Provides leadership and management of Aspen High School, including all instructional and administrative programs and activities.
• Supervises all professional and support staff members, including selecting or recommending selection, training, assigning and evaluating work, counseling, disciplining and terminating or recommending termination; completes annual employee performance evaluations.
• Holds all staff accountable for instructional practice that is intellectually challenging, authentic to student experience, recognizes student strengths, and is differentiated.
• Supervises, reviews and evaluates the instructional program; observes classroom environment and makes recommendations for improvement in instruction and class management as appropriate.
• Assigns responsibilities to Assistant Principal to foster professional growth and effective instructional programming; assigns responsibilities to professional staff, including assignments to instructional groups, rooms and supervision duties.
• Plans, organizes and implements staff development programs.
• Seeks to maintain an atmosphere conducive to good teacher\-teacher and teacher\-administrator relationships.
• Prepares and administers the school’s operating budget; serves as overall custodian of school funds allocated to or collected by the school; adheres to state statute and District policies related to financial accounting.
• Seeks, secures and administers school\-level grants for projects and programs. Plans, evaluates and recommends school\-wide programs, policies, goals and objectives.
• Ensures that all Board and administrative policies are effectively explained and implemented.
• Ensures school compliance with approved curriculum, IB objectives, and that state standards are being met.
• Oversees school enrollment.
• Directs the development of master schedules and plans; develops staffing patterns.
• Maintains high standards of student conduct and enforces discipline as necessary, complying with due process and rights of students.
• Understand current research and effective best practices to design, implement, and maintain a quality International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP).
• Communicate and reinforce the District Strategic Plan as well as the vision and goals of IB MYP and DP.
• Oversees efforts to reward student achievement and recognize outstanding staff.
• Receives and responds to inquiries, concerns and complaints from teachers, students and parents; maintains effective relationships with students and parents; works to resolve administrative, instructional and behavioral problems.
• Oversees and approves all school programs, including athletics, clubs, special services, and publications. Provides administrative leadership to volunteers and parent organizations, coordinates activities across the District, and ensures a visible presence at school\-sponsored events. Additionally, encourages faculty engagement in school\-wide initiatives and supervises student activities.
• Enforces policies and procedures designed to protect the safety and welfare of students and staff while on campus; prepares and maintains the school crisis management plan; conducts emergency drills.
• Keeps the Superintendent or designee informed of events and activities of an unusual nature as well as routine matters related to the District's accountability.
• Conducts regular staff meetings.
• Attends District meetings as necessary.
• Maintains a positive working relationship with the local community and business partners.
• Attends training, conferences and workshops as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills.

III: Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of high school student development: Understanding the unique challenges and needs of high school students.
• Leadership: The ability to guide and motivate staff, students, and parents towards achieving school goals.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Problem\-solving: Identifying and addressing issues that arise within the school environment.
• Decision\-making: Making informed decisions based on data and considering all perspectives.
• Conflict resolution: Mediating disagreements between students, staff, and parents in a constructive manner.
• Curriculum development: Understanding and overseeing the school curriculum to ensure alignment with educational standards; Understand IB Approaches to Teaching, Learning and Assessment.
• Staff management and evaluation: Evaluating teacher performance, providing feedback, and supporting professional development. Be adept in coaching and mentoring for Inquiry and Conceptual Based teaching methods.
• Community engagement: Building positive relationships with parents, local businesses, and community organizations.
• Technology proficiency: Familiarity with educational technology tools to support teaching and learning including learning management systems/platforms.
• Legal and ethical awareness: Understanding school policies, regulations, confidentiality, and ethical considerations.
• Interpersonal skills: Building positive relationships with students, staff, and parents.
• Budgeting and resource management: Managing school finances effectively.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion for all students.

IV: Minimum Qualifications

• Possess or be able to obtain an initial or professional Colorado principal's license within the first 3 months of hire.

V: Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Educational Administration, substantial experience teaching at the high school level, strong leadership and communication skills, the ability to manage diverse student needs, and a demonstrated understanding of adolescent development
• Experience with IB Programme Standards and Practices including units of inquiry curriculum development, instruction and assessment.
• Spanish Bilingual

VI: Work Environment

• Office environment; exposure to computer screens
• Mostly clean and comfortable surroundings

VII: Essential Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and stand.
• The employee is frequently required to rise from a seated position; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and occasionally, balance.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally move up to 30 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

VIII: Acknowledgement

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. This position will be required to follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as assigned by the Superintendent or appropriate administrator. The Aspen School District reserves the right to update, revise, or change this job description and related duties at any time.