Elementary School Principal

This posting is for MSA’s new elementary school that is currently in development, with an anticipated opening of September 2026. 

The Math and Science Academy is hiring an experienced principal for our new elementary school programming.  We are seeking a candidate that shares our school’s vision and mission to effectively implement programming that matches our schools priorities.  

Required Qualifications:  Current Administrative licensure in the state of Minnesota and a minimum of three (3) years experience as a Lead Principal in a Minnesota K-12 public school district. 

Preferred Qualifications: Experience in the elementary classroom setting and demonstrated experience implementing new programs.  

FLSA: 1.0, year round employee. 

Desired Start Date: July 1st, 2025

Salary Range: Range from $120,000 to $128,000 based on qualifications and experience.

This posting will be open until 03/13/25. Below are key dates for the interviewing process:

• Initial review of application materials  3/14/25

• Tentative interview dates the week of 03/17/25

  • Date range may change based on applications and availability of candidates. 

Reports to the MSA Executive Director

The duties below are not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all duties and tasks performed by those holding this type of position.
 

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Include:

• The ability to examine new approaches and methods, initiate action and render recommendations.

• Demonstrated ability of collaborating with stakeholders in planning and decision-making processes.

• Proven track record of taking leading change management initiatives and the implementation of strategic initiatives.

• The ability to lead and encourage a team of individuals to reach established strategic objectives.

• The ability to build a strong sense of community and work effectively with diverse parents and community groups.

• Strong project management skills and the ability to effectively manage competing obligations, projects and initiatives.

Instructional Leadership:

• Pursues the vision and executes the mission of the school.

• Coaches, mentors and evaluate teachers. 

• Conducts observations of teachers consistent with state statutes, authorizer goals, and the directive of the executive director.

• Evaluates curriculum and its instruction to ensure rigor and academic excellence for all students.

• Develops and implements an effective staff mentoring program for all K-5 staff with less than three years experience at MSA.

• Answers parent questions about curriculum and coordinates tours for prospective families as requested.

• Works with the Administrative team to develop and execute effective Professional Development programs .

• Participates in staff in-service training.

• Oversees student services for K-5.

Staff Supervision:

• Actively recruits and retains highly qualified and diverse staff.

• Implements and follows the Teacher Growth Plan as needed.

• Submits recommendations to the Executive Director for staff retention.

• Provides direction for the Elementary School teaching staff, other educational staff, and paraprofessionals.

• Evaluates teacher and staff members in grades K-5 using the Math and Science Academy’s evaluation process

• Communicates re-licensure requirements to staff as needed/required.

• Distributes Professional Development CEU’s to staff upon completion of training.

• Hires and oversees part time staff including lunch and recess monitors and parking lot attendants.

 Communication and Interaction 

• Promotes the MSA Mission and Vision in all communication and interactions.

• Embodies MSA Core Values in daily activities.

• Treats all students and families in an equitable manner.

• Coordinates screening and benchmark assessment of K-5 students.

• Leads the Student Support Process. 

• Works with students, families and staff to provide effective academic and behavioral interventions.

• Oversees K-5 student behavior and consequences, both positive and corrective.

• Investigates any reported student behavior incidents.  

• Investigates any reported K-5 staff members and informs the Executive Director of findings.  

• Actively participates with parents/guardians and staff to promote communication and collaborations in a timely fashion.

• Maintains and follows the chain of communication to foster an effective system of communication between teachers, staff, students, and parents/guardians.

• Resolves internal and external inquiries from parents/guardians, employees, and outside organizations regarding school operations and policy.

• Participates in administrative team meetings.

• Provides the Executive Director with a monthly update on individual goals.

• Attends/participates in weekly staff meetings.

• Informs the Executive Director of any safety issues that arise.

• Assists with improved communications between advisors/parents/guardians/staff as needed.

• Provides content for the MSA daily announcements, as well as weekly staff and community newsletters and updates.

• Informs the school community about educational practices and trends as well as the policies, practices, successes, and challenges.

• Attends IEP and 504 meetings as district representative, when required.

• Leads K-5 grade level meetings.

• Leads department or staff meetings as needed. 

• Ensures all mandated reports are submitted on time and accurately.  

Physical Job Requirements:

Physical requirements associated with the position can be best summarized as follows:

? This is a primarily stationary position however the employee is required to sit, stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for periods of time.

? May regularly lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. at a time.

? While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear.

? Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Duties are performed in a typical school setting. There are minimal environmental hazards and risks associated with the nature of the work.

Last revised 02/21/2025

Benefits:

Employees with 0.5 FTE (working 20 or more hours per week) or higher are eligible for benefits listed below. 

Please reach out to info@mnmsa.org to request a copy of our benefits handbook. 

• Paid Employee Benefits Health Insurance: MSA covers 100% of Single or 50% of Family Coverage.

• Dental Insurance: Single or Family Coverage, Math & Science Academy contributes 100% to the employee and 50% to the dependent(s) monthly dental premiums. Eligible dependents may participate in the plan. Those costs are the responsibility of the employee. 

• Vision Coverage, Single or Family Coverage: Vision is voluntary and 100% paid by the employee. MSA also reimburses employees up to $200 each year for prescription glasses or contact lenses.

• Prescription Drug Coverage: Part of health insurance, see current benefits manual.

• Life and AD&D: MSA provides Group Term Life (GTL) through Principal Financial of 2 times your salary to $50,000. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in GTL at no cost. 

• Voluntary Life: Voluntary Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance can be purchased by the employee through Principal Financial.

• Each staff member is covered with both short term and long term disability insurance by MSA.

• MSA offers a voluntary 403(b) for staff that qualify for benefits.  MSA will match 50% of the staff contribution up to a maximum of 2% of the staff’s earned yearly salary for that fiscal year (not including extracurricular pay, supplemental pay, or any other extra pay).

• MSA will make all legally required State Statute contributions to TRA for all licensed teacher staff and PERA for non-licensed staff and hourly staff. There are no third party costs related to the TRA and PERA plans.

• Paid Time Off (PTO) benefits:

  • Licensed staff, working full school calendar: 12 days of PTO, prorated based on FTE status.

  • Hourly staff, school calendar based: 10 days of PTO, prorated based on FTE status.

  • District and Office Staff, year round: 20 days of PTO, prorated based on FTE status.

  • Administrative Staff: 30 days PTO, prorated based on FTE status.

  • MSA will pay out all unused PTO at the end of the fiscal school year, based on the employees calculated hourly rate.

To the extent that the employee is responsible for any portion of the premium not paid by MSA, the employee’s portion of the premium will be paid by payroll deduction.

Non­monetary Benefits

• Ongoing Professional Development resources and training that include up to $1,000 in professional development funds for licensed roles and $200 in professional reading or memberships for licensed roles.  This may be prorated based on FTE status.  

• MSA complies with all state and federal laws regarding leave of absences. 

• Sabbatical/Professional Leave (SPL) may be allowed after licensed teaching staff or administrative staff has completed five (5) consecutive fiscal years of employment at MSA. 

• Under Minnesota Statute, a charter school must employ or contract with necessary teachers, supervisory personnel, and support personnel, as defined by section 122A.15, who hold valid licenses to perform the particular service for which they are employed in the school. In addition, if a teacher employed by a district makes a written request for an extended leave of absence to teach at a charter school, the district must grant the leave. You also maintain your TRA benefits, since MSA is a public school. Refer to MN Statute 145E.11 to view enrollment preference requirements.