Staunton City Schools is seeking applicants for a
Principal opening at the Commonwealth Center for Children & Adolescents for the 2026-27 school year.
Anticipated start date on or around September 1, 2026.
12-Month Contract (240 days).
Hiring Range: $85,000-$105,000 DOQ/DOE.
Open Until Filled.Full Benefits.
QUALIFICATIONS: Valid Post-graduate Professional License with endorsement in Administration and Supervision (required) and special education (preferred); at least five years successful experience in education; supervisory/administrative or other experience in a mental health setting is preferred.
REPORTS TO: School Division Supervisor and VDOE State Operated Programs Coordinator.
JOB GOAL: To coordinate and ensure compliance of various aspects of the Mental Health Education Program (MHEP) by working cooperatively with Virginia Department of Education staff, teaching and mental health personnel.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:Curriculum and Instruction/Supervision - Supervises and evaluates all education personnel employed in the education program of the mental health facility.
- Works cooperatively with the administration and staff of the mental health facility to promote consistent communication with site staff, local education agency (LEA) education staff, mental health personnel, and parents.
- Assumes leadership for the administration of the yearly operation of the program.
- Ensures delivery appropriate curriculum aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning in order to provide a comparable education to what students would receive in the public schools.
- Serves as interface with education and mental health center personnel as it relates to space allocation, utilization, and maintenance.
- Supports the faculty in efforts to provide students with a positive educational experience.
- Collaborates with the Virginia Department of Education's State Operated Programs, school divisions, and community agencies to ensure the educational needs of students are met.
- Maintains a working relationship with the mental health hospital administration, the employing school system, and the Virginia Department of Education.
- Fosters a school-wide climate of cooperation, effective communication, and collaboration.
Pupil Personnel/Compliance Issues - Ensures the education program remains current and in compliance with State Operated Programs' policies, IDEA and applicable mental health hospital regulations.
- Ensures accurate record-keeping and provides data as required.
- Oversees collection, distribution, and destruction of student records.
Acts as the custodian of all records and documents required by local school divisions and of the Virginia Department of Education, State Operated Programs. - Develops the special education annual program plan and is responsible for writing, timely filing and evaluation.
- Directs use of the Virginia Department of Education, State Operated Programs' manual, approved forms and other State Operated Program resources.
- Fulfills all legal requests for records.
Personnel Preparation and Program Development - Develops, implements, and evaluates an ongoing comprehensive system of personnel development; approves local and state travel for conferences; ensures enforcement of LEA policies as they relate to personnel.
- Develops and executes personnel procedures and practices and incorporates these into a comprehensive Teacher's Handbook, conducting annual review of all policies.
- Attends local and state in-service programs as indicated and permitted.
- Selection and separation of faculty, as needed.
- Establishes a network of daily communication concerning student needs, and provides a mechanism for sharing of information through emails, faculty meetings, etc.
OTHER - Oversees the installation and utilization of educational technology; maintains a technology replacement plan.
- Attends mandated Virginia Department of Education, State Operated Programs' meetings.
- Acts as the liaison between the Virginia Department of Education, State Operated Programs, school divisions, and facility administration.
- Manages the education program's budget.
- Completes other duties as assigned.
EVALUATION: Conducted by the employing school division through established procedures.
