Principal – Empower U North

Position Details

Principal – Empower U North

Kent ISD

Full time, 215 day position

Non-Union Professional, Grade 9 (commensurate with experience and background)

The Empower U North Principal is responsible for providing educational and operational leadership and performing the duties necessary for the successful delivery of Special Education and related services in a Center Program setting. Under the direction of the Director of Transition and Empower U, the Principal serves as an instructional leader in planning, coordinating, and administering school activities and programs, including curriculum, instruction, assessment, student conduct, and attendance, while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Principal is also responsible for supervising and evaluating staff, managing building operations and resources, supporting student discipline systems, and fostering strong partnerships with families and community agencies to support student outcomes. Empower U North partners closely with all Empower U Principals, including Center Program Principals, who serve transition-aged students.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited college/university with particular emphasis on administration, management, curriculum, and special education, with preference given to individuals with previous administrative experience.
• Valid Michigan teacher’s certification or ancillary license
• Possess Michigan School Administrator certification and (approval or eligibility for approval as) Supervisor/Director of Special Education by the Michigan Department of Education, or a commitment to complete the same within three years.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and supervision in the management of the Principal Empower March (Center Program) special education programs for students 18 to 26 eligible for special education.
• Works with staff, students, parents, local educational agencies, public school academies and community to build a shared vision of learning and behavioral supports for all students.
• Works with staff, students, families, and community agencies to link school priorities and strategies into the school improvement plan to achieve school and district goals.
• Effectively leads staff, coaches, and consultants in collaborative efforts to deepen student and school data analysis to evaluate the best supports and services for each student.
• Uses the working knowledge of effective instruction and behavioral planning in establishing school processes and routines that engage teachers/staff in regular monitoring of student progress and evaluation, adaptation, and improvement of instructional strategies which meet the individualized needs of students.
• Works with staff to establish building and district systems, processes, trainings, and shared leadership to ensure full compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act IDEA, Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education, the Kent Intermediate School District Special Education Plan, Kent ISD Board of Education and Organizational Policies, and other applicable rules and regulations.
• Completes and submits required state reports on time and with accuracy.
• Establishes procedures for placement, evaluation, assignment, and re-evaluation of students with disabilities as determined by regulations and in collaboration with local district supervisors/directors.
• Recruits, hires, trains, mentors, coaches, and evaluates program staff.
• Provides staff development opportunities that incorporate the mission of the district, program evaluation outcomes, and input from the teachers.
• Facilitates school team meetings such as curriculum, school improvement, and Positive Behavioral Interventions System (PBIS).
• Implements an effective system of teacher evaluation (adopted by Kent ISD) that meets Michigan legal requirements, including teacher and classroom observations.
• Works with staff to evaluate the school’s professional learning culture and the impact of internal and external professional learning on student results.
• Learns and uses emerging technologies to increase productivity, develop leadership, and expand staff use of technology.
• Ensures all segments of the community are included, involved, respected, and valued.
• Establishes regular systems of two-way communication with parents and community, while involving parents in their child’s education.
• Provides leadership, advocacy, and creative solutions for the school’s use of technology to improve parent and community involvement, expand student learning opportunities, improve the monitoring and communication of student progress, and adapt the teaching and learning environment for better student results.
• Establishes relationships with community agencies and businesses to secure vocational training sites for transition-aged students.
• Establishes processes and procedures in collaboration with community agencies to meet students’ post-secondary goals in the areas of employment, training/education, community participation, and adult living.
• Coordinates supervision and evaluation of students in vocational training sites.
• Develops, manages, and monitors program budgets, including purchasing and allocation of resources to support program and district goals.
• Oversees facility operations to ensure a safe, functional, and supportive learning environment for students and staff.
• Administers staff discipline and ensures compliance with collective bargaining agreements, district policies, and applicable employment regulations.
• Establishes and oversees student discipline systems, including issuing disciplinary actions aligned with district policies and behavioral frameworks.
• Ensures accurate staff timekeeping and payroll processes, including oversight of timekeeping systems.
• Responds to and resolves escalated parent and community concerns in a timely, professional, and solutions-oriented manner.
• Oversees and ensures completion of required internal evaluation systems and reporting processes.
• Ensures that student placement, evaluation, and service decisions align with Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) requirements in collaboration with program and district leadership.
• Performs other duties as directed by the Director of Transition and Empower U.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Knowledge and experience working with transition-aged students, including the ability to lead instructional systems, align curriculum to individualized student needs, and support post-secondary outcomes.
• Knowledge of special education laws, rules, and regulations, including IDEA, MARSE, and the ability to ensure program compliance.
• Ability to use data systems to monitor student progress, evaluate program effectiveness, and lead continuous improvement efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, evaluate, and develop staff through hiring, coaching, feedback, and performance management.
• Ability to implement progressive discipline and ensure staff accountability in alignment with district policies and collective bargaining agreements.
• Ability to design, implement, and evaluate professional learning aligned with school improvement goals and student outcomes.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to oversee budgets, resource allocation, timekeeping systems, facilities, and multiple complex initiatives.
• Ability to establish and maintain a positive, inclusive school culture, including oversight of behavioral systems and student discipline practices.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills to effectively engage staff, families, districts, agencies, and the broader community.
• Strong problem-solving and dispute resolution skills, including the ability to manage complex student, staff, and family concerns.
• Ability to build and sustain partnerships with families, community agencies, and businesses to support student success and transition outcomes.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice, including the ability to examine and address disparities in student outcomes related to race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.

Benefits: Robust benefit package includes full medical, dental, and vision insurance; generous paid sick and personal days; State of Michigan School Employment retirement program; Kent ISD is a participating employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF/ SAVE plan) for eligible Federal student loans.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Alternative requirements that may be appropriate and acceptable to the School Board may be considered. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex (including gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, or a related condition), age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, military service, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or any other legally protected basis, and prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment and retaliation, in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admission and employment. The Coordinator for Title IX, Section 504, the Age Discrimination Act and Title II is: Dave Rodgers, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources