P.O. Box 43, 716 N. Lincoln Street, Eagle Butte, SD 57625
+1 605-223-0643

Principal

COVID-19 Notice

Due to the difficulties caused by COVID-19, the LOWI School will not be operating during the 2020-2021 school year. It is our hope that an immersion program will be available for the community in the near future.

Principal at the LOWI Lakota Language Immersion School

Location: Eagle Butte, SD
Start Date: Open Until Filled
Accepting Applications until August 31, 2018
Report to: LOWI Board of Directors

About the Organization: Lakȟótiyapi Okáȟtaŋ Wičhóičhaǧe Inc. (LOWI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit school that provides students with a Lakota language immersion education in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. LOWI will open in Fall 2018 through a federally funded grant with an initial class of 20 students.

Role Overview: The LOWI School Principal is a senior, school-based leadership role that oversees all operations and finance functions necessary to run a high-performing Lakota language immersion school. This includes ensuring day-to-day smooth operations of the school, budgeting, purchasing, facilities, food services, transportation, technology, student data, regulatory compliance, human resource administration, and academic operations support. The Principal serves as a key member of the school’s leadership, ensures that the school’s operations meet high standards of operational excellence, and enables instructional staff to focus on driving strong student achievement outcomes. The Principal will complete the tasks listed below and other duties under the supervision of the Lakȟótiyapi Okáȟtaŋ Wičhóičhaǧe Inc. Board of Directors.

Responsibilities:

School Operations Leadership & Team Management

  • In partnership with the Board of Directors, develops the school-wide operations vision that supports and operationalizes the academic and cultural vision of the school
  • Plays a leadership role in the school’s strategic, annual planning and budgeting process
  • Hires, manages, coaches, and develops school operations team members and holds them accountable to goals and outcomes
  • Captures, monitors, and uses data for decision making and communication of clear objectives and improvement plans
  • Student & Family Services (School Ops; Communications; Field Trips; Events)
  • Serves as the eyes and ears of the school to ensure that all school operations run seamlessly each and every day, proactively problem solving and developing systems where needed
  • Coordinates with the Transportation Department to ensure timely and safe transportation.
  • Oversees a smooth arrival and dismissal procedures, and works with school leadership to ensure arrival and dismissal duties are assigned and executed for student safety
  • Owns logistics of communications through parent letters, weekly staff notes, surveys, and visitor, working with the School Leader to ensure appropriate messaging and approval

Finance & Purchasing

  • Works closely with the Board of Directors to develop the school’s annual budget and actively manages the school budget throughout the year
  • Manages the school purchasing process by establishing clear systems for staff to request items, placing orders with vendors, tracking delivery, and coding and submitting purchase orders, invoices, and reimbursement requests; approves school purchases under a specific financial threshold
  • Maintains accurate receipts and supporting documentation for all purchases
  • Works with the Board of Directors to develop improved financial guidelines and procedures
  • Tracks all extracurricular student activity accounts and expenditures

Facilities & Maintenance

  • Oversees all facilities issues, including maintenance and managing staff/vendors
  • Manages and evaluates all facilities staff
  • Coordinates the bidding process for new contracts when the need arises
  • Solicits new contractors for building repairs when the need arises
  • Regularly conducts facilities walkthroughs and liaises with maintenance staff, and vendors to ensure that the school is clean and suitable for children
  • Ensures that the main office is neat, organized, welcoming and has all important parent facing materials

Technology & Equipment

  • Ensures that students and staff have access to needed technology
  • Leads the school opening/start up process each year to ensure that doors are ready to open by ordering furniture, equipment, instructional supplies, and ensuring that student services (e.g. food service, transportation) are ready to go
  • Orders replacement equipment as needed throughout the academic year
  • Coordinates all equipment repairs with the appropriate technician (internally or externally)

Student Information and Cumulative Records

  • Manages the school’s student information systems and maintains accurate student data and information in compliance with federal, state, and school expectations
  • Enrolls all new students into the school’s student information system
  • Track the completion of all student paperwork for the cumulative student file
  • Coordinates transportation for all students
  • Coordinates athletics for all students
  • Maintains accurate records for all new students
  • Tracks and ensures timely completion of all action steps related to the enrollment and withdrawal of students

Risk Management and Compliance

  • Coordinates the creation and implementation of the annual school safety plan
  • Ensures that the school is prepared for emergencies by training staff on crisis response
  • Maintain compliance with fire codes and state ordinances

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree (required); master’s degree (preferred)
  • Degree major in business, finance, accounting, operations management, etc. (preferred)
  • Ability to read, write, or speak Lakota (preferred, but not required)
  • 5-10 years of work experience, preferably in education, business, or operations management
  • Demonstrated management and leadership skills (e.g. 2+ years managing a team or many large projects)
  • Strong project and time management skills; ability to effectively backwards plan, juggle multiple priorities with great attention to detail, and deliver consistent and timely results
    • Strong strategic and analytical skills
  • Sense of humility, customer service mindset, and shows urgency and the ability to proactively solve problems and make decisions quickly
  • Team player with strong interpersonal and management and relationship building skills
  • Ability to lead, influence, and hold others accountable to high standards of operational excellence
  • High level of comfort with financial oversight and budgetary tracking
  • Ability to stay calm under pressure, especially in difficult conversations with parents and staff
  • Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills
  • Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, and Google Suite
  • Desire to continuously learn and increase effectiveness as a professional
  • Must pass a background check and drug test
  • Unwavering commitment to the mission of the Lakȟótiyapi Okáȟtaŋ Wičhóičhaǧe Inc. (LOWI) Lakota Language Immersion School and willingness to go above and beyond to meet the needs of students, families, and staff

To apply please submit a resume and cover letter to admin@lowischool.org