Description

POSITION: Assistant Superintendent
SCHEDULE: 260-day contract
LOCATION: District Office
SUPERVISOR: Superintendent
POSITION TYPE: Certificated Administrator
COMPENSATION: $184,118-$217,259, depending on experience; supplemental compensation for PhD/EdD; monthly travel stipend; and annual reimbursement for professional growth. Pay is annualized over 12 months (if hired after July, spread over remaining months of contract year (Jul-Jun))
BENEFITS: Medical, dental, vision, and basic life and AD&D insurance; retirement plan; deferred compensation (DRS and TSA); paid leave
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree in educational leadership/education administration or related field.
• Current Washington State Principal Certificate and/or Professional Administrator certificate.
• Superintendent certification preferred.
• 10+ years of advancing educational leadership experience; five or more years experience as a school principal across multiple grade bands (elementary, middle, and high school levels) preferred.
• Experience in culturally and economically complex communities preferred.
• Valid Washington State Driver's License; WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance.

DISTRICT INFORMATION

Cheney Public Schools is a growing district serving approximately 5,500 students in the southwest region of Spokane County. The district covers 381 square miles, encompassing the towns of Airway Heights, Cheney, an expansive rural area, and a developing industrial and residential area on the West Plains. The district currently has 11 schools: 5 comprehensive elementary schools: Betz, Salnave, Snowdon, Sunset, and Windsor; two comprehensive middle schools: Cheney Middle School and Westwood Middle School; one comprehensive high school: Cheney High School, and three learning option schools: a K-8 Parent Partnership Program: HomeWorks!, a 6-12 blended learning school: WIN Academy, and Three Springs High School. Through community support with passing a bond in November, 2024, the District will open a sixth comprehensive elementary school for the 2027-2028 school year. 

Cheney Public Schools is committed to high expectations and continuous progress for students, staff, and administration. The District provides a rich learning environment for all students, and the local community provides consistent and unwavering support for an extensive co-curricular program. Our mission states, “Cheney Public Schools exists to guarantee a safe and caring environment where ALL students learn at high levels and graduate with options for post-secondary education, careers, and civic engagement.”

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Assistant Superintendent supports, supervises, and evaluates building principals and central office directors as assigned by the superintendent. The Assistant Superintendent is responsible for leading and aligning functions across K-12 departments, building capacity of department leaders, developing systems of support and accountability, and assuming day-to-day duties consistent with those of an assistant superintendent.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret information relevant to the position, including being able to speak effectively to small and large groups of people, and to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated experience in program development and personnel management, knowledge and experience with applicable state statutes and federal laws and regulations.
• Experience in organizational and departmental day-to-day operations in areas of human resources, elementary and/or secondary education, student services, special services, and school safety.
• Demonstrated excellence in communication, interpersonal and public relations, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated strong managerial, leadership and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to articulate the vision and mission of the district and provide appropriate direction, guidance, and management skills to achieve them.
• Flexible and able to multi-task; can work within a complex, fast-moving environment while also maintaining focus on clarity and solutions; demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities for staff and student success.
• Ability to identify and define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to effectively use typical office applications and computer programs for email, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to the mission of Cheney Public Schools.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work directly with and in support of the superintendent to sustain the district’s strategic initiatives.
• Supervise and provide oversight to the human resource functions of the district to include contract negotiations and adherence to contract language.
• Build and maintain healthy relationships with the district labor unions.
• Participate in growth and facilities analysis and planning to meet the needs of a growing district.
• Develop, build, and support leadership capacity, along with a culture of collaboration, support, accountability, and continuous improvement of district administrators.
• Facilitate close communication between departments and schools to create and maintain clarity of direction and high levels of service.
• Share administrative supervision, evaluation and mentoring responsibilities with the superintendent.
• Provide direct and ongoing support as needed to principals and building staff.
• Help to lead and oversee annual building staffing processes.
• Review and make decisions related to programs, policies, and procedures. Provide clear communication regarding decisions to make sure staff are well-informed as programs, policies, and procedures are implemented and sustained.
• Serve as Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator and Title IX Officer, monitoring and coordinating compliance with nondiscrimination laws. Provide leadership for district efforts to ensure equity in educational programs, athletics, activities, employment, and all areas of district operations. Investigate and respond to concerns from staff, students, and the community related to equity.
• Serve as compliance officer and primary contact for Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying. Support and assist principals in resolving complaints and proper implementation of policy and procedure by overseeing the investigation process.
• Demonstrate a commitment to each school and department through regular visits to each site and actively engage in the school district community.
• Stay current on developments in K-12 education.
• Assume responsibility for the interpretation and implementation of Board policy and labor agreements to support policies, procedures, and contracts/agreements being appropriately followed in departments and school buildings.
• Ensure district compliance with the applicable federal, state, and local codes, rules, regulations, statutes, and policies.
• Assist with the development and updating of Board policies and administrative procedures.
• Lead assigned staff through the annual evaluation process.
• In coordination with human resources, provide support for directors and building administrators regarding employee discipline, evaluation, complaints, and investigations.
• Provide support and assistance to directors and building administrators in addressing parent concerns and complaints.
• Attend School Board meetings and work sessions, and executive sessions when applicable.
• Develop appropriate board agenda items pertaining to areas of responsibility, and present information at Board meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the superintendent.
• Assist the superintendent in the direction of district administrators leading and/or actively participating in district-wide resource work, community meetings, and parent groups to achieve specific objectives.
• Knowledge of categorical funding rules and regulations, and best practices in use of categorical funds to best support under-served students.

DESIRED PERFORMANCE ABILITIES

• Strengthens and develops the skills and capacity of principals.
• Models integrity, courage, and advocacy for what is best for all students, even when decisions are complex or difficult.
• Builds trust through transparency, consistency, and follow-through.
• Is a strong listener and clear communicator who remains visible and connected to the work in schools.
• Collaborates positively with employee associations, students, families, community partners, and regional organizations.
• Supports consistent implementation of district policies.
• Possess leadership qualities that enhance relationships in a positive, caring, and consistent manner with students, staff, and families.
• Reputation for patience, exceptional interpersonal skills and high ethical standards.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate well with others in written and verbal contexts.
• Strong evidence of a leadership style that listens to all constituents and values diverse perspectives.
• Experience in leading change and making responsive decisions to move groups forward to serve the best interests of students.
• Knowledgeable regarding implementation of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs).
• Possess strong knowledge of effective instruction and instructional frameworks (e.g., Marzano, PLC).
• Working knowledge of state and federal program requirements and the rules and regulations contained within the allocation, hiring, and supervision of the district’s human resources.
• Experience in labor relations, implementation of CBAs, performance management, and employee issues.
• Evidence of successful leadership to build a collaborative culture and strengthen the capacity of groups to function well as teams.
• Evidence of alignment with the District’s mission/vision and Strategic Plan, and the direction of the District Leadership Team.

MENTAL DEMANDS

Required to regularly engage in problem solving and decision making; deal with a wide range of behaviors and needs in a positive and service-oriented manner; may experience shifts in work schedule and/or work site according to student/district needs; sustain mental awareness while also maintaining attention to details and safety requirements; possess emotional intelligence to “read the room”, create positive relationships, and manage conflict; may frequently support with distraught or difficult adults and children. May be required to work extended hours and days as needed to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• May be required to work extended hours and days as needed to fulfill the responsibilities of the position
• Sit, walk, and/or stand for extended periods of time
• Amount of sitting, standing and walking may vary depending on projects/tasks. Generally, the job requires 50% standing, 30% walking, and 20% sitting
• May be exposed to visual display terminal for prolonged periods
• The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, sit, stand, walk, bend at neck and back, twist body, use hands to push/pull and lift/carry, squat, kneel, stoop, and crouch. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions, duties, and responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee often remains indoors, however, may occasionally work in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

CONTRACT AND COMPENSATION

• 260-day contract; FLSA exempt position; job responsibilities to commence approximately July 1, 2026\
• Base Salary of $184,118-$217,259, depending on experience
• $500 monthly travel stipend
• Annual stipend of $2,000 if PhD or EdD is held
• $5,000 annual education expense reimbursement (no rollover option)
• State-offered benefits via School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB), state-retirement plans as administered through the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS), and VEBA contributions/cash out options will be voted on annually by the group of central office administrative employees
• 25 days vacation, annually (5-day sell back option each year); two paid personal leave days (sell back option each year); 12 days sick/emergency leave; 12 legal holidays

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Application Schedule:

• Position opening announced: March 12, 2026
  Deadline to receive application materials: April 12, 2026 (11:59 p.m.)
  Anticipated interviews: April 23, 2026, with final interviews April 24, 2026

Application Requirements:

• Please visit cheneysd.org to apply
• Completed Cheney School District online application
• Letter of application explaining how your qualifications, experience, and professional strengths align with the needs of this position. (attachment)
• Resume (attachment)
• Four current letters of recommendation (to include current superintendent, immediate supervisor, a colleague, and a staff member; upload in references section)
• Statement of Qualifications as an effective leader (300-400 words):
  • Describe how you would build and maintain a positive district culture where strong relationships, teamwork, and a focus on students learning shape the work across the district. (attachment)
• Copy of credentials/certifications (attachment)
• Unofficial transcripts (attachment)

Cheney Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, economic status, pregnancy, familial status, marital status, disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions: Title IX/Chapter 28A.640 Officer/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/ADA Coordinator - Tom Arlt, Assistant Superintendent, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd. Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4550; Section 504 Coordinator - Franklin Day, Director of Student Support Services, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd., Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4507.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER