Admin - Chief Academic Officer (District Wide) (SY24-25)

Title: Chief Academic Officer

Reports to:  Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning

Start Date: Established upon hire

About Chelsea Public Schools:

The Chelsea Public Schools (CPS) is a gateway school system that welcomes and educates all students and families. In CPS, we believe all children are capable of achieving their personal best by ensuring a safe and supportive environment for school and classroom environments. The school system educates over 6,200 students in 11 schools, including a pre-K-1st grade school, 4 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, a virtual school, and 2 high schools. CPS is a culturally responsive school district. We believe that students learn best when they are engaged in meaningful relationships that fosters and promotes high expectations and risk taking. We are a district of multilingual students where languages are an asset to student development and growth. More information about CPS can be found on our website at www.chelseaschools.com/cps.

About the Position:

The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) is responsible for providing district leadership in developing and implementing curriculum, academic programs, and assessment systems, prekindergarten through grade 12; establish program evaluations; oversee school and district development and implementation of Accelerated Improvement Planning (AIP); alongside the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning and her team, lead the development and implementation of school and district long-range plans. Supervision and evaluation of academic coordinators and provide vision for the coordinators.

General Duties:  Essential Functions

• Directs aspects of the PK-12 Curriculum and Instruction Programs: ensure the articulation of curriculum objectives between related subject areas and grade levels; works with school administrators, curriculum leaders, and faculty to develop, review, revise, and evaluate district programs and curriculum in alignment with the state frameworks on a regular basis; plans the content, organization, implementation, evaluation and improvement of the total instructional program; keeps abreast of developments in curriculum and instruction
• Ensure a broad range of instructional strategies in the repertoire of teachers at all grade levels; encourages development of new instructional training programs for professional personnel.
• Direct development, implementation, and evaluation of research-based, sustained, staff development programs for teachers and other school personnel based on student needs demonstrated by performance on local and state assessments and/or other standardized tests, and district-based assessments.
• Helps coordinate the efforts of administrators, directors, coordinators and professional staff in projects of curriculum development and improvement to carry out goals of the district, school or program in using performance objectives, and in the interpretation and application of local and state assessment data.
• Helps coordinate the planning, development and evaluation of instructional services including all testing and assessment projects for curriculum planning.
• Designs and approves professional development activities in collaboration with Assistant Superintendent to support district and school improvement plans.
• Responsible for development and compilation of district wide Curriculum & Instructional budget.
• Oversees Humanities (reading, writing, history) and STEM Programs PreK-12.
• Supervises and evaluates performance of content district coordinators: Reading, Writing, and STEM.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of the design model that addresses the diverse needs of the student population, development must include interactions with relevant stakeholders.
• Co-facilitate instructional rounds in the district
• Oversees and leads, along with Central Office Team and school administrators, development, evaluation and implementation of School and District Improvement Plans.
• Supports schools’ Accelerated Improvement Plans.
• Use a myriad of data to make key decisions that will ultimately improve teaching and learning
• Oversees the New Administrator's Professional Development in collaboration with HR and other departments.
• Responsible for attending in-district and out-of district meetings as required or necessary.
• Support the district in becoming culturally responsive and college and career ready
• Provides support for Principals as they carry out their instructional leadership roles.
• Works collaboratively with Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning.
• Develop assessment system and tools for the improvement of student achievement.
• Assist Principals when needed in the selection of staff members.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned by the superintendent.

Qualifications Required:  

• Exemplary performance and demonstrated leadership in an educational administrative setting in a school system with a diverse population.
• Master’s Degree at minimum, doctorate preferred.
• Minimum of five plus years of leadership experience (school-based or central office leadership). Principalship leadership preferred.
• Must be DESE licensed as an administrator; must hold a professional license in at least one content area.
• Proven experience in the area of educational organization, administration, supervision, staff development, and curriculum design and evaluation.
• High level of interpersonal skills in relating to and communicating with groups and individuals, i.e., School Committee, administration, teachers, students, parents, and community members.
• Technical knowledge and experience.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work in high pressure situations.
• Proven ability to work as part of a leadership team.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate and acceptable.

Qualifications Preferred:

• Doctorate preferred
• Principalship leadership preferred
• Bilingual Spanish
• Experience with English Language Learners

Terms: This is a full-year position, 40 hours per week and 52 weeks per year, with paid sick, personal and vacation leave and holidays. Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:00PM with additional evening hours as required to complete required job duties. This position is in the non-bargaining unit. Commensurate with degrees and experience. 

The Chelsea Public Schools District is an equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting, appointing, assigning, training, evaluation and promoting personnel on the basis of merit and qualifications, without regard for race, color, national origin, sex, religious affiliation, age,  ancestry, marital status, handicapping conditions, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other applicable unlawful discriminatory standards. (Title VI & Title VII of Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII & Title VIII of the Public Health Services Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as well as other relevant federal and state laws).

Salary : $140,000 - $175,000