Superintendent, Norristown Area School District

Alma Advisory Group•Norristown, PA

About The Position

Norristown Area School District (NASD) represents 3 municipalities; Norristown (known locally as the Borough), and the Townships of East Norriton and West Norriton, all located in central Montgomery County, about 15 miles northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With approximately 7,700 students across 12 schools, the district is recognized as one of the most diverse districts in the region and has welcomed immigrant communities for generations. The student community is 53% Latino, 28% Black, and 8% multiracial, and has made critical progress in recent years standardizing curriculum, stabilizing its finances, and establishing its arts and music programming as a successful driver of student engagement. The district is now ready to chart its next path forward toward a bold and transformational vision for student achievement. The nine-member Board of School of Directors is seeking a Superintendent who can partner with our educators and community as we work to strengthen literacy and math proficiency across grades and improve pathways to graduation for all our students. NASD is just beginning a six- to seven-year phase of significant funding expansion that will grow our annual revenue by more than 30%. Our ultimate goal - to be a place our students are proud to attend, and to become the most improved district in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Requirements

At least five years of senior education leadership experience with progressive levels of responsibility and evidence of success.
Demonstrated track record of school turnaround success and data-driven decision making ideally in a diverse public school district setting.
Successful experience working in diverse economic, multicultural, and multilingual communities and environments with student demographics similar to Norristown Area School District.
A growth mindset and belief that continuous improvement happens through purposeful, relevant, differentiated learning experiences that set all students up for success.
Experience, and a successful track record, of collaboration with labor unions and collective bargaining.
Experience working in conjunction with a school board to identify priorities, establish goals, monitor progress, and produce outcomes in service to stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience building consensus and trust within an organization.
Exceptional written, oral, and visual communication skills.
Meets eligibility criteria for a Superintendent’s letter of eligibility in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead transformational academic success for every student
Strengthen literacy, math, writing, and STEM proficiency
Improve graduation rates and postsecondary pathways
Ensure safe learning environments
Support strong bilingual and English Language Learner programming
Review and strengthen support for special education
Protect the district’s arts and music programming, review and restore athletics programming
Establish a collaborative learning culture with high aspirations for each of our students
Partner with our educators, leaders, and labor to realize our vision
Seek out student and community voices to help inform district decisions
Communicate transparently and share data as the district makes progress
Create the conditions where our staff can do their best work on behalf of their students
Attract and develop a leadership team
Establish professional learning supports for staff as we build on our work to standardize curriculum and support stronger outcomes for students
Support hiring and retention for talent
Partner with employee associations
Support the district’s continued fiscal and operational sustainability
Sustain and build on the district’s positive financial position
Manage the Master Facilities Plan
Ensure high-functioning operations and effective service for schools from every layer of the central office.
Represent the district and advocate at the local and state level to secure continued resources and continue to strengthen NASD’s brand and reputation locally and nationally.