Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School – Full-Time Executive Director

Job Details

Position: Executive Director Reports To: Board of Trustees, Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School

Application Deadline: February 15, 2021 or until filled

Start Date: July 1, 2021

Position Type: Full-time (Schedule M-F, 37.5 hours/week, 12 month)

About LMACS (Employer Description)

Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School (LMACS) is a public charter high school that targets adolescents who have officially dropped out of high school or are seriously at-risk of doing so. The mission of LMACS is to enable its students to achieve academic, social, and career success. This supportive school community identifies, encourages and develops interests and abilities, while acknowledging and respecting each student’s personal and cultural identity. The curriculum of LMACS is built around a core of academic subject areas and is supplemented by required psychoeducational courses and career preparation. LMACS provides all students with a school-to-work component, daily advising, and offers dual enrollment at Middlesex Community College. The LMACS curriculum reflects our small size and mission-driven culture. The school was designated a Vanguard School by Massachusetts Insight and is a recipient of the Edgerly Leadership Award in recognition of student achievement on the MCAS.

Job Description – Executive Director Summary

The Executive Director contributes leadership, enthusiasm, and efforts toward the fulfillment of the school mission and the development of an innovative learning community that serves its diverse student body holistically – academically, socially, and emotionally. LMACS is seeking an innovative school leader to commit themselves to the urgent and exciting needs of our students and community. The Executive Director is responsible for providing educational leadership and overall management of the charter school, as well as building community relationships for LMACS. In this role, emphasis is placed on advancing the school’s position to ensure the future success of students and fostering an environment that addresses their educational, cultural, emotional, and safety concerns.

Core Competencies

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to:

● Lead a diverse school community – faculty, staff, students, and families – effectively;

● Ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines and follow reporting procedures;

● Promote and represent LMACS amongst various stakeholders including families, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA DESE), community partners, and funders;

● Develop (and support faculty/staff in developing) innovative programs and initiatives that contribute to students’ academic, social, and emotional success and combat academic, institutional, and societal disadvantages;

● Practice cultural competence and a commitment to equity and inclusion;

● Attract, hire, train, retain, and evaluate talent; and,

● Oversee school budget and practice sound fiscal management policies and procedures.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

The Executive Director oversees all aspects of the school, including:

● Provides educational leadership that encourages students’ academic, social, and career success;

● Works closely with the Board of Trustees to maintain alignment between LMACS’ mission/vision and the policies and strategic direction of the school;

● Ensures compliance with state and federal guidelines (e.g., 504, Special Education, English Learners);

● Develops relationships with students, families, and community members;

● Engages in community outreach and fundraising efforts;

● Creates policies that promote a positive learning culture for both students and staff;

● Prepares reports for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accreditation, charter renewal, and Program Quality Assurance;

● Hires, trains, and evaluates LMACS staff;

● Develops and manages the school budget;

● Engages in day-to-day operations of the school;

● Oversees and implements strategies around recruitment and retention of students and faculty/staff; and,

● Performs all other duties as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Executive Director supervises faculty, staff, social workers, interns, and other employees as assigned. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training, and managing employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems; establishing and following LMACS policies and abiding by any applicable employment laws.

Job Requirements

● Master’s Degree required. Doctorate preferred.

● Minimum of 8 years teaching and/or administrative/managerial experience with students considered to be at-risk.

● MA DESE Principal/Assistant Principal 9-12 or 5-12 licensure or licensure in progress

● Massachusetts Teacher certification.

● Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement as a teacher or administrator.

● Strong interpersonal, organizational, and writing skills.

● Knowledge of Title I and all other public-school entitlement programs/grants, Special Education/504 procedures and curriculum frameworks.

● Culturally competent with experience and/or knowledge working with students, staff and/or faculty of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, including those with different levels of academic preparation and varying physical and learning abilities.

● Bilingual or multilingual skills a plus.

Application Instructions Apply on SchoolSpring or submit the following to Colleen Cox, coxc@middlesex.mass.edu, by February 15, 2021:

1. Cover Letter

2. Resume

Candidates may be required to produce References, Transcripts and Proof of Certification upon request.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lowell Middlesex Community Charter School is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.

The community and students we serve are diverse, and we are committed to reflecting that diversity in our staff. We strive to have the most diverse applicant pool possible; to that end, we encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply for any position at Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School. By fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, we provide the best educational experience to prepare our students for a future reflective of the world we live in.

Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance with the job application process, please contact Colleen Cox at (978) 656-3284.

Contact Information

Colleen Cox, ED Search Committee Co-Ch