School Leader - Utah Connections Academy

School Summary

Utah Connections Academy (UCA) is a tuition-free, online public school that serves students in grades K–12 throughout Utah. UCA is authorized under state law by the Utah State Charter School Board and governed by an independent Board of Directors. The school is operated by Utah Connections Academy, a nonprofit corporation, through a contract with Connections Academy of Utah, LLC, to provide its educational program and other services. UCA is accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission, an accrediting division of AdvancED.

Utah Connections Academy strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

Position Summary and Responsibilities

Utah Connections Academy seeks a dynamic, visionary leader and change agent to serve as its next School Leader. This position ensures all students receive a personalized learning plan by implementing a distance education instructional program with fidelity. The School Leader is responsible for establishing an organizational culture: putting the interests of students and families first; recruiting, retaining and developing faculty and staff; building and growing relationships with key external stakeholders including regulators; and implementing the vision where every child receives a personalized and customized education, and academic achievement is at the forefront.

Working from your home, with occasional trips to the office, the School Leader will manage staff as they consult regularly with Learning Coaches and students, ensuring that each child successfully completes their instructional program. The School Leader is responsible for overseeing overall school operations working with parents, students, support staff, and certified teachers who virtually facilitate a home-based student instructional program. The School Leader will spend the majority of their time working with external stakeholders on matters of policy, budget, academic outcomes, reporting, and supervision.

Other key responsibilities include the following:

• Deliver the academic success and outcomes of the school, based on a list of annual school goals which may include the School’s charter goals to improve student academic achievement, Connection Academy school focus goals, and the A-F charter framework goals, and the Accountability score on the State Report Card; Oversee the implementation of the proven school curriculum and school operation protocols;
• Ensure that staff exhibit and maintain a high level of professionalism, instructional support, and customer service by implementing a mission for the school;
• Work with school staff and Pearson Virtual Schools (PVS) to create, implement, manage, and monitor the School Improvement Plan;
• Ensure all state reporting is completed correctly and on time;
• Maintain relationships with the authorizer and the Utah public education department while staying current on the state’s policies, procedures, and legislation, including specific Special Education procedures;
• Exhibit high quality, timely communication with all school staff, students, and families;
• Responsible for establishing, monitoring, implementing the School’s budget; including working closely with PVS on staffing, budgeting, grants, and contracts in accordance with Utah laws and regulations, as well as federal laws and regulations;
• Work closely with appropriate Legal Counsel as needed;
• Work closely with leadership and PVS staff to implement the core operational model;
• Work with administrative team to implement any program changes processes and procedures, and/or new software application introductions;
• Handle any student, parent or teacher issues escalated from other stakeholders,
• Oversee the management of, contracting and/or delivery of Special Education services to ensure that the school is in compliance with state and federal laws;
• Oversee the implementation and coordination of state standardized testing process and ensure high student participation rates meet state and federal guidelines;
• Act as the “face of the school” at school events and with the Department of Education, this could include testimony;
• Build a high performing leadership team to oversee staff and school;
• Supervise and evaluate all school staff as required by the state; and
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Active Utah Administrator Endorsement/License preferred
• Administrative or management experience required, charter school management a plus
• Strong leadership qualities and a commitment to goal-directed management and accountability
• Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from a regionally accredited college/university
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Customer-focused approach
• Flexible, ability to transition from task to task quickly
• Demonstrated ability to work well in fast-paced environment
• Team player
• Technologically proficient (especially with Microsoft Office products and Google Suite)