Description

Job Summary

Full-Time and Permanent; 7.5 Hours/Day; 252 Days/Year; 12 Months/Year; Grade EXEC

The Chief Schools Officer (CSO) provides executive leadership to ensure continuous improvement, high performance, and the overall well-being of all schools. This role oversees school improvement efforts, principal leadership and development, student wellness and support services, accountability systems, accreditation, and specialty programs. The CSO ensures schools are strategically aligned, coherently supported, and held accountable for student outcomes while fostering strong collaboration across the Executive Leadership Team. This position reports directly to the Superintendent and serves as a key executive leader.

 
Supervision
Executive-level duties are performed under the general direction of the Superintendent. Work is reviewed for alignment with division goals, objectives, and state requirements. Supervision is exercised through subordinate executive and senior directors, coordinators, building administrators, and professional staff across various educational specialties.

 
Essential Functions
Lead and implement a comprehensive, data-driven school improvement framework to drive sustained gains in student achievement, growth, attendance, graduation rates, and overall well-being.
Ensure alignment among the Strategic Plan, School Board goals, accreditation requirements, and Continuous School Improvement Plans.
Oversee accountability systems, including performance monitoring, progress reporting, and continuous improvement cycles.
Ensure compliance with state and federal accountability and accreditation requirements.
Provide direct leadership, supervision, coaching, and evaluation of principals and other building-level leaders.
Design and oversee a comprehensive system of principal professional development aligned with division priorities and leadership standards.
Build leadership capacity through identification, development, mentoring, and retention of effective school leaders.
Support principals in strengthening instructional programs, school culture, equitable practices, and effective data use.
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of school leadership development efforts to ensure student-focused strategies.
Lead departmental administrators in establishing annual strategic goals and implementation plans.
Oversee departmental budgets and review personnel requests from school leaders.
Provide executive oversight of student wellness services, including psychological, social work, nursing, and related support services.
Ensure effective implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) integrating academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health supports.
Monitor effectiveness of student support services and ensure alignment with school improvement priorities.
Oversee specialty programs to ensure quality, equity, compliance, and alignment with division goals.
Use data to identify and address opportunity gaps to ensure equitable access to high-quality programs and supports.
Collaborate with executive and central office leaders to coordinate high-quality support for schools.
Serve as liaison between central office departments and school leaders to ensure clear communication and shared accountability.
Lead assigned departments in goal setting, progress monitoring, and strategy adjustments based on evidence.
Partner with Human Resources on recruitment, selection, development, and retention of school-based leaders.
Stay informed on current educational research, best practices, and legislative developments affecting K–12 education.
Maintain effective relationships with families, community partners, and external agencies.
Perform other duties as assigned.
 
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Comprehensive knowledge of school administration principles, practices, and procedures.
Strong understanding of school division objectives, personnel practices, and organizational systems.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with board members, administrators, teachers, staff, and community stakeholders.
Ability to conceptualize, initiate, monitor, and evaluate programs and initiatives.
Strong strategic planning, leadership, and organizational skills. 
 
 

Requirements

Minimum Education, Training, and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field.
Master’s degree in School Administration (Doctoral degree preferred).
Minimum of five (5) years of successful school leadership experience preferred.
Experience as a building principal required.
 
License/Certification
Postgraduate Professional License with endorsement in Administration and Supervision (PreK–12).
 
Physical Requirements
Normal physical requirements associated with office-based administrative work.
 
Work Environment and Conditions
Work is performed in school and office settings.
Requires attendance at after-hours meetings and events.
Subject to ongoing deadlines, high responsibility, and occasional evening or weekend hours.