CSDHS School Principal Pool (104,519+)

Dorchester County Public Schools is currently accepting applications for a School Principal at Cambridge-South Dorchester High School for the school year. Cambridge-South Dorchester High School is the districts largest high school serving over 700 students. The school has demonstrated steady progress in improving discipline school climate and student outcomes. While academic needs remain the school is building momentum and is positioned to accelerate achievement and postsecondary readiness.

This school requires a strong focused leader who can continue strengthening systems build staff capacity and lead with both urgency and consistency to move from improvement to sustained success. Under the supervision of the Superintendent the Principal serves as the instructional leader culture builder and manager of school systems ensuring high-quality teaching and learning while preparing students for college career and life success. The principal will:

• Lead a focused instructional program that improves student achievement and ensures strong Tier 1 instruction in every classroom.
• Increase graduation rates on-track indicators and post-secondary readiness.
• Maintain and strengthen a structured safe and student-centered school culture.
• Implement systems that effectively support students experiencing poverty trauma and other barriers.
• Oversee and expand college and career pathways including CTE and dual enrollment.
• Use data to drive decision-making across academics attendance and behavior.
• Align all school efforts to the districts instructional framework and strategic plan.

Dorchester County Public Schools is actively implementing its strategic plan Believe in Us: Achieving Our Potential Together aligned to the Blueprint for Marylands Future. This role offers an opportunity to lead meaningful measurable changes in a high-impact setting.

This position is ideal for a leader who is ready to:

• Is ready to lead a large high-needs high school with complexity and urgency.
• Can build on improving discipline and climate while accelerating academic outcomes.
• Understands that strong relationships clear structures and high expectations must exist together.
• Is motivated by results and committed to sustained improvement for all students.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Instructional Leadership & School Improvement

• Establish and communicate clear instructional priorities.
• Lead and monitor the School Improvement Plan.
• Ensure consistent implementation of high-quality instruction across all content areas.
• Use data to monitor progress and adjust strategies.

Student Support & School Culture

• Maintain a safe structured and supportive learning environment.
• Implement and monitor MTSS to ensure timely and effective interventions.
• Set and uphold high expectations for student behavior engagement and achievement.

College & Career Readiness

• Support and strengthen CTE programs dual enrollment and workforce partnerships.
• Monitor graduation indicators including credit attainment and on-track status.
• Ensure students are prepared for post-secondary success.

Staff Development & Leadership

• Supervise evaluate and develop all staff.
• Provide consistent coaching and feedback to improve instruction.
• Build a collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement.
• Lead hiring and retention of high-quality staff.

Family & Community Engagement

• Build strong trusting relationships with families.
• Communicate clearly and consistently with stakeholders.
• Develop partnerships with community organizations businesses and higher education.

Operations & Management

• Manage the school budget and allocate resources strategically.
• Ensure compliance with Board policies and state/federal regulations.
• Oversee safe and effective school operations and facility management.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or designee.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Eligible for and hold Maryland Administrator II Certification prior to appointment.
• Minimum of three (3) years of successful school-based administrative experience
• Minimum of three (3) years of successful teaching experience.
• Demonstrated success in:
  • Improving outcomes in a high-needs secondary school setting.

• Increasing graduation rates and postsecondary readiness.
• Leading school improvement efforts using data.

• Strong knowledge of:
  • Secondary school structures and scheduling.
  • College and career pathways (CTE dual enrollment workforce development).
  • Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL).
  • Blueprint for Marylands Future and DCPS strategic priorities.
• Proven ability to:
  • Build and lead effective teams.
  • Maintain high expectations while fostering positive relationships.
  • Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
  • Lead with urgency resilience and a focus on results.
• Strong financial and grant management skills.
• Ability to analyze and use data to improve programs and student outcomes.
• Ability to lead change and drive continuous improvement in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills including the ability to work with multiple agencies.
• Ability to make decisionsin accordance withprecedents rulesand regulations.
• Abilityto apply Board policy to daily workdecisionsexercise good judgment
  courtesy and tact in dealing with all stakeholderson the telephone writing and in person.
• Must be ableto work independently onroutinecomplex and confidential tasks.
• Must maintain good attendance record and be willing to work outside of general
  working hours occasionally.

Please Note:

• Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview. Internal candidates will be considered alongside external applicants and only those whose qualifications most closely match the needs of the position will be contacted for an interview.

SALARY: This is a twelve (12) month benefited position. This position is on the A-S VI High School Principal Lane of the Dorchester County Administrators and Supervisors Association Salary Scale. The current base salary range for this position is $104519.00 - $132585.00.

Required Experience:

Staff IC