Durango School District is accepting applications for Principal at Escalante Middle School, for the 2026/2027 school year. Positions begins July 22, 2026.

Competitive benefits package plus employee workforce housing options available.

Job Title: Middle School Principal      Pay Grade: Administrative Salary Schedule

Job Family: Administration              FLSA Status: Exempt

Department: Administration            Prepared Date: December 17, 2013; 4/20/23

Typical Work Year: 11 months, 210 Days

SUMMARY: The Principal will provide leadership and administration which will motivate instructional and support personnel to strive for superior performance so as to provide the best possible opportunities for student growth and development, both educationally and personally.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The frequency and percentage of time of duties may vary based on building or department assignment.

Establish and promote high standards and expectations for all students and staff for academic performance, participation in athletics and co-curricular activities, and behavior.  Support the mission and vision of Durango School District and highlight those practices that move the mission and vision forward.

Monitor and improve the quality of classroom instruction by providing continual feedback on instruction, monitoring lesson plans, ensuring adherence to the articulated curriculum and providing ongoing professional learning. Ensure that the instructional programs engage students in learning experience that will facilitate mastery of the Colorado Academic Standards.

Supervise pupil services programs: positive behavior supports, discipline, attendance, transportation, guidance, special education, 504 plans, English Language Learner services, and gifted and talented education.

Facilitate various building meetings, including but not limited to, team meetings, department meetings, MTSS/student study meetings, 504’s, ALP’s, and IEP’s.

Collect and analyze data regarding the needs and achievement of students, including State assessments, local assessments, progress monitoring data and other pertinent information to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of educational services and programs.

Lead the Instructional Leadership Team in overseeing the development and implementation of the school’s annual improvement plan, planning professional learning, developing the school-based budget, and building parental and community support.

Organize school operations around improvement of instruction by maintaining a safe and orderly environment, upholding state laws, Master Agreements, and District Policies, managing personnel, maintaining facility to provide a quality learning environment, efficiently managing fiscal resources, establishing effective public relationships, and coordinating effective instructional programs with a master schedule. Incorporate procedures for the early identification of potentially disruptive students and the conditions that create or enhance unacceptable behavior (e.g., bullying), and implement programs to address such conditions.

Supervise and monitor student behavior in an effort to maintain an academic environment conducive to student achievement including, but not limited to, supervision during lunch, in the hallways and during co-curricular activities at night and after school.  Enforce school district discipline policies.

Provide and supervise in a fair and consistent manner effective discipline and attendance systems with high standards, consistent with the philosophy, values, and mission of the school and district in accordance with due process and other laws and regulations, ensuring a safe, orderly environment that encourages students to take responsibility for behavior and creates high morale among staff and students

Notify immediately appropriate personnel and agencies, and follow established procedures when there is evidence of substance abuse, child abuse, child neglect, severe medical or social conditions, potential suicide or individuals appearing to be under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or anabolic steroids.

Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate personnel, establishing clear expectations for role, responsibilities, and performance to ensure that all job responsibilities are met and exceeded. Ensure that personnel evaluation procedures are accomplished in a fair and consistent manner that encourages accountability, growth and excellence, in accordance with law, Board policy, and contractual requirements.

Ensure that personnel and student record keeping procedures comply with State and federal law and district policy. Implement procedures for safe storing and integrity of all public and confidential school records. 

Act as a liaison between school and community by facilitating proactive communication with families and the community.  Respond to parent/guardian and community concerns/questions and promote positive public relations.

Implement safety drills for fire, lockdown, lockout, etc. 

Assist as needed with summer programming for students.

Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: MA in Administration/Leadership/Curriculum and Instruction. First Aid Certification, Medication Administration, and CPR required within 3 months of hire.

EXPERIENCE: 3-5 years of teaching experience. Previous school administrative experience preferred with demonstrated experience in instructional leadership, school operations, conflict management, budget preparation and resource allocation.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS: Colorado Principal or Administrator’s License.

TECHNICAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & ABILITIES:

• Excellent interpersonal relations and oral and written communication skills.
• Advanced skill in dealing with students and staff with diverse needs at various levels.
• Advanced knowledge of ability to develop, monitor and evaluate curriculum, discipline plans, IEP’s, and supervision/safety plans.
• Knowledge of school law.
• Knowledge of data analysis, curriculum, assessment and instruction, budgeting and accounting, special education laws and master agreement/labor regulations.
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks/priorities with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to promote and follow Board and District policies, Superintendent polices and building /department procedures.
• Ability to communicate, interact, and work effectively and cooperatively in a team setting.
• Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the work place, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT OPERATING KNOWLEDGE: 

• Microcomputers and general office equipment.
• Microsoft Office applications.
• Student Information Systems.

Durango School District is an equal opportunity educational institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or need for special education services in admissions, access to treatment, or employment in educational programs or activities which it operates, or any other applicable status protected by federal, state or local law. For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, contact Laura Galido, Compliance Officer, Durango School District, 281 Sawyer Drive, Suite 100,  Durango, CO 81303, (970) 247-5411, lgalido@durangoschools.org, or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 Spear Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, (303) 844-5695.

MA in Administration/Leadership/Curriculum and Instruction. First Aid Certification, Medication Administration, and CPR required within 3 months of hire.

About Durango School District

The mission of Durango School District (DSD), an innovative educational system committed to excellence, is to ensure each student develops the skills and attributes for lifelong learning and has the ability to compete and contribute in the global community, by guaranteeing equitable educational opportunities in a safe and healthy environment. We strive to create a learning environment where all students own their learning, act on their learning, and impact their community. Learners must be actively engaged, and we are dedicated to personalizing learning based on each student’s strengths and needs. Our role as a school district is to provide learning opportunities where students develop their critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills. A personalized, competency-based approach to teaching and learning the standards and a community of collaborative learning will prepare students for post-secondary success.

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