Principal - Eagle Bay Academy SY26/27

Burlington School District • Burlington, VT

22h

About The Position

Principal Eagle Bay Academy The Burlington School District believes a diverse and culturally proficient faculty and staff are pivotal to the creation of a strong learning and working environment that supports student achievement and success. BSD administrators lead inclusive school communities with our vision: " Cultivating caring, creative, and courageous people." - Join the journey. The Mission of the Burlington School District is to graduate students who: Value different cultures; Engage with the community; Communicate effectively; Think creatively; Skillfully solve problems; and Achieve at their highest academic, intellectual and personal potential. Position Summary Burlington School District (BSD) is accepting applications for a passionate and energetic Principal to lead Eagle Bay Academy and join the District’s dynamic administrative team. Guided by BSD’s North Star— Every learner is challenged, empowered, and engaged —the Principal serves as an instructional leader and manager of an alternative high school program that provides a flexible pathway to graduation through a small, learner-centered program with smaller class sizes and embedded supports for students. The Principal operates from an anti-racist, restorative mindset with a commitment to closing opportunity gaps while raising expectations for student achievement. Eagle Bay Academy serves a vital role in BSD’s continuum of special education programs and services for students. The Principal is responsible for ensuring that students with disabilities, complex learning profiles, and social-emotional or behavioral needs receive equitable access to high quality instruction, appropriate accommodations and modifications, and coordinated support that promote academic progress and engagement in learning. This includes providing direct leadership to special educators, general educators, case managers, interventionists, and support staff, and ensuring that all services are delivered in alignment with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section 504 Plans, and applicable state and federal regulations, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Working closely with district leadership, the Principal monitors compliance, uses data to guide decision-making, allocates resources strategically, and fosters a safe, structured, and inclusive school climate. The Principal also builds strong partnerships with families and ensures all students are supported to make meaningful academic progress and successfully transition to postsecondary education, employment, and community engagement.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in educational administration, special education, or related areas.
• Licensed or eligible for Vermont Educators License.
• Endorsement as a Principal (91) or eligible for Vermont Provisional endorsement.
• Eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• School administrative experience, principalship or director of special education preferred.
• Secondary school teaching experience, alternative education or special education preferred.
• Experience with School Improvement and Transformation.
• Experience and knowledge of Trauma-Informed Restorative Practices.
• Experience effectively working with culturally and linguistically diverse groups.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to lead, counsel, and supervise a variety of personnel and programs.
• Strong decision-making, analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability and interest in direct and effective communications.
• Ability to improve instruction and increase student learning.
• Ability to define problems and formulate alternatives and arrive at solutions when information and/or objectives are ambiguous.
• Ability to decide among alternative uses of limited resources.
• Planning and organizing abilities.
• Ability to handle the complications of authority, power, and dependence with subordinates.
• Ability to supervise and manage instructional and support staff within existing agreements.
• Skilled in the area of program and performance evaluation.
• Effective conflict resolution skills (Equity lens necessary).
• Skilled facilitator and presenter.
• Strong Interpersonal skills.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate and acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Provide strong instructional and administrative leadership, with deep knowledge of curriculum, teaching, learning, and adolescent development.
• Foster a safe, inclusive, and positive school climate that promotes student learning, well-being, and belonging.
• Advance equity, cultural competency, and restorative practices, ensuring programs meet the diverse needs of all learners.
• Promote student achievement and accountability through the use of evidence-based practices and data-informed decision-making.
• Support, evaluate, and inspire staff through collaboration, professional growth, and shared leadership.
• Guide the instructional program to provide a flexible pathway to graduation through personalized, experiential, and proficiency-based learning.
• Oversee curriculum and instruction to ensure alignment, coherence, and effective use of instructional time in collaboration with Burlington High School leadership.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with students, families, staff, and the broader community.
• Lead with sound conflict resolution and crisis management skills.
• Ensure access to appropriate student support services, including special education, 504 plans, and intervention systems, in collaboration with district leadership.
• Work with the Districts Executive Director of Student Support Services to ensure State and Federal special education procedures are followed and that a continuum of appropriate remedial and special education programs in the least restrictive environment are available to meet individual student needs.
• Work with the Executive Director of Student Support Services to ensure appropriate training and support for classroom teachers to implement accommodations, alternatives, and specialized instruction outlined in Educational Support Team plans, Section 504 plans, and Individual Education Plans.

Benefits

• Benefits-eligible on start date.
• 30 days to enroll in coverage from the first day of employment.
• BSD Benefits!
• PAID TIME: Sick Time / Personal Time / Vacation Time as per the Master Agreement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal