Bend-La Pine Schools is committed to the principle of equity. Equity supersedes the notion of equality, where all are treated the same. Pursuing equity requires the removal of barriers and the promotion of inclusive practices so that all students fully benefit. The principle of equity will inform all BLS policies, regulations, programs, operations, practices, and resource allocations.
Studies have shown that some individuals (women and people of color, for example) are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single qualification in a job description. Our goal is to find the best candidate for the position, and we acknowledge that that candidate may be an individual from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of a position, or how this would be determined, please feel free to contact Human Resources to discuss your application.
Position Title: Principal, Realms Middle and High School
Department: Teaching and Learning
Salary Range: $136,484 - $145,382 (based on 2024-2025 salary schedule)
Contract Days: 238
About the District:
Bend-La Pine Schools (BLS) is the fifth-largest school district in Oregon and comprises 33 schools, plus two charter schools across an attendance area of approximately 1,600 square miles. We employ over 2,000 staff members in licensed and non-licensed capacities, which makes us the second-largest employer in Central Oregon. At Bend-La Pine Schools, we believe in educating thriving students and know the importance of supporting our students to become kind and thoughtful humans who engage with the world around them.
About the Schools:
Realms Middle and High Schools are choice option schools within Bend-La Pine Schools, offering a unique, hands-on learning environment for students seeking an alternative to their neighborhood school. As part of the district’s choice enrollment program, families can apply to attend Realms if they feel it better aligns with their student’s needs.
Rooted in EL Education, Realms emphasizes academically rigorous, real-world, interdisciplinary, and problem-based learning through fieldwork, stewardship, and service. The mission of Realms is to ignite passion, build academic skills, and foster character, preparing students to be leaders of change. Through active, experience-based learning inside and outside the classroom, students explore their values, develop strong learning habits, and engage deeply with both the human and natural world around them.
As a choice option school, Realms provides an alternative path for students and families seeking an education that extends beyond traditional classroom learning.
JOB DEFINITION:
The Realms Principal serves as the instructional leader and chief administrator of the school site, developing and implementing strategic initiatives, promoting an inclusive school culture, and ensuring the academic success and emotional well-being of all students. Responsibilities encompass overseeing educational programs, student support, planning, curriculum development, program evaluation, personnel management, financial oversight, emergency procedures, resource scheduling, facilities operation, school climate, and community relations. The Principal is entrusted with implementing and adhering to federal, state, and district policies, regulations, and procedures.
The Principal of Realms reports to the Executive Director of High School Programs and the Executive Director of Middle School Programs and supervises all staff at Realms Middle and High Schools, including all licensed staff, all classified staff, and all contractors who are not employees of Bend-La Pine Schools. The role requires a dynamic leader with a student-centered approach who will foster an environment that prioritizes equity, inclusion, and academic success. Effective communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders are essential for success in this position.
The duties assigned to the Realms Principal encompass the planning and implementation of teaching and learning strategies, decision-making processes, master scheduling, analytical and critical thinking tasks, student-centered outcomes, data-driven decision-making, budget planning, facility management, conflict resolution, and reporting. The Principal is thus equipped to create an environment that fosters academic excellence, student well-being, and overall school success.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Lead and oversee strategic initiatives to create a positive and inclusive school culture.
Ensure academic success and emotional well-being of all students.
Direct all facets of educational programs, curriculum development, and program evaluation.
Manage personnel, including licensed and classified staff, and oversee financial aspects.
Lead outreach and recruitment efforts to ensure families understand Realms as a choice option school, making the case for its unique approach to learning.
Manage choice enrollment processes, balancing demand while maintaining alignment with the mission of Realms’ and the small school model.
Build strong relationships with families to ensure that students who choose Realms are engaged and committed to its learning model.
Lead professional development focused on EL Education
Cultivate an equity-centered approach in program development for dynamic learning environments.
Demonstrate expertise in educational programs, curriculum, pedagogy, and culturally-sustaining instructional strategies.
Cultivate an equity-centered approach in program development for dynamic learning environments.
Utilize asset-based student management approaches and promote professional development.
Serving as the ultimate decision maker for school practices
Lead and oversee strategic initiatives to create a positive and inclusive school culture.
Ensure academic success and emotional well-being of all students.
Direct all facets of educational programs, curriculum development, and program evaluation.
Manage personnel, including licensed and classified staff, and oversee financial aspects of school operations.
Demonstrate expertise in educational programs, curriculum, pedagogy, and culturally-sustaining instructional strategies.
Plan and implement strategies for teaching and learning, including differentiation.
Lead decision-making processes for school success.
Establish the master schedule for instructional programs to ensure comprehensive offerings for all students.
Ensure instruction creates learning tasks engaging all learners in processes requiring various levels of analytical and critical thinking.
Use data to guide decision-making for student needs, growth, goal development, and intervention systems.
Work with district-level staff to identify needs and allocate resources for support.
Oversee the providing of required reporting.
Coordinate emergency procedures, resource scheduling, and facilities operation.
Other related duties as assigned.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
The employee performs under extreme heavy workloads and inflexible deadlines. Requests and issues are often received which require immediate attention setting up conflicting priorities. Sound judgment is required in stressful situations. The employee needs to be able to lift materials, boxes or equipment weighing up to 30 pounds and/or maneuver up to 50 pounds. This position generally works in an office environment with occasional travel to schools and other locations for meetings.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge:
Understanding of EL Education principles, interdisciplinary instruction, and active pedagogy
Understanding of school culture development and sustainability, including strategies to foster a strong, mission-aligned community that supports long-term growth and engagement among students, staff, and families.
Knowledge of differentiated instruction and personalized learning, ensuring all students, regardless of ability level, receive the support and challenge needed to thrive in a supporting and welcoming environment.
State, local and school system fiscal regulations, policies and procedures
Knowledge of K-12 educational laws, policies, and compliance requirements, particularly in Oregon
Familiarity with inclusive and equity-focused instructional practices
Fiscal and personnel management best practices, including budget and resource allocation
Best practices in supervision of staff
Skills & Abilities:
Ability to lead with vision, inspiring students, staff, and families
Ability to foster a strong, mission-driven school culture.
Skilled in mentoring and developing teachers and staff
Skilled communicator, able to advocate for the school, engage stakeholders, and clearly convey expectations.
Skilled building relationships with students, staff, families, and community partners to support student success.
Ability to remain adaptable and flexible in adjusting strategies, operations, and instructional approaches to align with evolving school and district priorities
Commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment where all students have access to high-quality, engaging experiences.
Skilled in organization with the ability to strategically manage schedules, staffing, and resources to support interdisciplinary and field-based learning.
Skilled in analyzing data to drive decision-making
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Required:
Current state-required administrative license, or the ability to acquire such license by July 1, 2025
School-based administrative leadership experience.
Demonstrated experience with equity-driven leadership, including the ability to create inclusive environments that support diverse learners and backgrounds.
Demonstrable success in a licensed school-based role (e.g., teaching, counseling, instructional coaching, or related positions).
Preferences:
Fluency in Spanish language
EL Education experience
Large district leadership experience
Expectations of Professional Conduct
Employees of Bend-La Pine Schools are expected to adhere to all Bend-La Pine Schools policies and regulations, ensuring compliance with established procedures and expectations. They are to prioritize the well-being of students, aligning their conduct with the core values of public education and the mission, vision, and goals of Bend-La Pine Schools. This entails maintaining consistent and punctual attendance while adhering to site and/or district protocols for reporting absences.
Professionalism extends to personal presentation, with employees expected to maintain attire and grooming appropriate to their roles.While carrying out everyday tasks independently, it's essential to maintain professionalism in how you communicate, both verbally and nonverbally, with students, parents/guardians, the public, and colleagues. This includes valuing and respecting cultural and background differences. Employees of Bend-La Pine Schools are entrusted with fostering a respectful working and learning environment, upholding confidentiality regarding student, staff, and district information at all times.
The statements herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principle functions of the job, the level of knowledge and skills typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work and physical requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work or otherwise to balance the workload.
