Middle School Principal - Kelso

Position Type: · Administrator/Principal · Date Posted: · 2/17/2026 · Location: · Huntington Middle School · Closing Date: · Until Filled · Huntington Middle School Principal · 1.0 FTE, 210 Days · Salary: $151,361to $165,034 annually · Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, lo ...

Job description

Position Type:
Administrator/Principal

Date Posted:
2/17/2026

Location:
Huntington Middle School

Closing Date:
Until Filled
Huntington Middle School Principal
1.0 FTE, 210 Days
Salary: $151,361to $165,034 annually
Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance are provided through the School Employee Benefits Board (SEBB).

Contract begins July 1, 2026

The Kelso School District is seeking a Principal for Huntington Middle School to serve as the chief instructional and administrative leader of the building. The Principal is responsible for advancing student achievement, fostering a safe and inclusive school climate, and ensuring alignment with district goals, Board priorities, and state and federal requirements. This role requires strong instructional leadership, effective supervision of staff, and sound management of school operations and resources.

The Kelso School District serves the educational needs of nearly 5,000 students from preschool through high school. The school district has six elementary schools, two middle schools, one comprehensive high school, one K-12 virtual school, and two alternative high schools/programs. Voters in the Kelso community have a long history of supporting school levies and bonds.

Desired Experience and Qualifications

• Master's degree in Educational Administration

• Valid administrative certification

• Administrative experience at middle or high school level preferred

• Minimum of three years of successful experience working as school administrator

• Teaching or counseling experience at the middle school level

• Experience with master scheduling, student discipline, and facilitation of professional development

• Experience with supervising and evaluating staff

• Experience with school-level budget oversight

• Knowledgeable of federal and state requirements related to special education and Section 504

Primary Responsibilities Instructional Leadership

• Provide leadership for curriculum, instruction, and assessment aligned with state standards, district goals, and Board priorities

• Lead Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and collaborative teams to analyze student data and improve instructional practices (eg. Guiding Coalition, GQP, PLTs)

• Promote use of assessment data (e.g. monitors student progress, conducts and uses assessment data to guide instruction, uses academic support systems) for the purpose of increasing student achievement

• Direct, supervise, and evaluate the comprehensive school counseling program

• Maintain a regular presence in classrooms to support instructional improvement and professional growth

• Model strong instructional leadership and promote equitable outcomes and high expectations for all students

• Oversee and support programs such as MTSSA, RTI, PBIS, SEL, AVID, ML, and special education

Staff Supervision and Development

• Select, supervise, evaluate, and support certificated and classified staff

• Collaborate with the Human Resources Department to ensure proper handling of personnel matters

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and teamwork

• Demonstrate knowledge and skill in staff evaluation- including the Teacher and Principal Evaluation Process (TPEP)

• Create a vision for and implement high quality staff development through school designated Wednesday Early Release Days

• Assist staff with conflict resolution

School Operations and Management

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the school, including student discipline, attendance, scheduling, and school safety

• Administer school budgets, student body funds, and related financial activities in accordance with district procedures

• Oversee the supervision of extracurricular and co-curricular programs, school events, and activities

• Ensure proper care, maintenance, and security of buildings, grounds, and equipment

• Ensure compliance with district policies and procedures, collective bargaining agreements, and state and federal laws

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the school, including student discipline, attendance, scheduling, and school safety

• Administer school budgets, student body funds, and related financial activities in accordance with district procedures

• Oversee the supervision of extracurricular and co-curricular programs, school events, and activities

• Ensure proper care, maintenance, and security of buildings, grounds, and equipment

• Ensure compliance with district policies and procedures, collective bargaining agreements, and state and federal laws

District and Community Engagement

• Collaborate with the Superintendent, district leadership, and fellow principals on districtwide initiatives

• Participate in district committees and support implementation of the District Strategic Plan

• Collaborate successfully and communicate effectively with students, staff, families, and community partners

• Build positive relationships with community organizations and donors to enhance student opportunities

• Actively participate in community donor meetings, planning, and implementation of donor funded programs

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of best practices in instructional leadership, staff supervision, and school administration

• Ability to analyze data and use results to guide decision-making

• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills

• Ability to lead collaboratively and manage complex systems and competing priorities

• Commitment to continuous improvement and professional learning

*Perform all other duties as assigned

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Application Process
Application are to be submitted online which can be found under the "Job Openings" tab on our District website at A completed application must include the following materials:

• Letter of Interest addressing your ability to meet the qualifications of this position
• Resume
• Letters of reference
• Confidential reference forms

Inquiries can be directed to:
Holly Budge, Human Resources Director, Kelso School District
601 Crawford Street
Kelso, WA 98626


Kelso School District #458 complies with all federal rules and regulations and does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code. Kelso School District offers classes in many Career and Technical Education (CTE) program areas, such as Agriculture Sciences, Business & Marketing, Family Consumer Sciences, Health Sciences, Skilled & Technical Sciences, and STEM under its open admissions policy. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs.

The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Holly Budge, Director of Human Resources, Title VII Officer, ADA Coordinator; 601 Crawford Street, Kelso, WA 98626; , ; and Gunnar Guttormsen, Director of Student Services/Assessment, Title IX & Section 504 Coordinator; 601 Crawford Street, Kelso, WA 98626; ,

For more information about CTE course offerings and admissions criteria, contact: Melissa Boudreau, CTE Director; Kelso High School, 1904 Allen Street, Kelso, WA 98626; , ; or Mara Rinker, Registrar; Kelso High School, 1904 Allen Street, Kelso, WA 98626; ,

KELSO SCHOOL DISTRICT IS A DRUG AND TOBACCO-FREE WORKPLACE