CEO
Established in 2002, PA Distance Learning Charter School was one of the first cyber charter schools in the state of Pennsylvania focused on utilizing technology so that our teachers could teach live lessons 50% of the required school hours and our students could use those technologies to learn asynchronously the remaining 50% of the time. Our students, who come from localities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, are empowered to own their own learning, to grow, achieve and succeed through the use of evidence-based, inclusive and culturally responsive practices. We strive to build positive relationships in our online environment with all students, families and communities. Our teachers are dedicated to making sure that each student has what they need to succeed. To date, we have a staff of over 150 certified and noncertified professionals dedicated to the education of over 1,200 K-12 students. While our professionals are based out of our central location in the Pittsburgh area, our students reside throughout the state. We strive to bring out the best in each student and, equally important, our students bring out the best in us!
Reporting directly to the President of the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive Officer serves as the highest administrator of PA Distance Learning Charter School (PDLCS) and has complete responsibility for the day-to-day management of the school in accordance with the charter granted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Position Overview:
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is, by the delegated authority of the school's Board of Trustees, responsible for implementing the school program and for upholding school policies and procedures and reporting. The Chief Executive is also responsible for developing and proposing strategic plans and public chartering to the Board of Trustees for approval. The role of the Chief Executive is one of complete financial, educational performance, and administrative authority over the operation of the school and supervision of all employees and of responsibility for commercial direction and viability and all aspects of relations within the school community and with outside entities. The Chief Executive has ultimate authority for hiring and firing of staff and for satisfactory implementation of the School's mission, vision, and strategic plan as approved by the Board.
Qualifications and Required Knowledge and Skills:
- Substantial (i.e. ~10 years) experience in meaningful system level leadership roles in education; charter school experience highly preferred;
- Master's degree, Ph.D. preferred;
- Leadership certification; superintendent eligibility preferred;
- Passion for innovative, yet proven, educational practices and a commitment to serving students from diverse backgrounds with unique academic and personal needs;
- Demonstrated experience with highly complex organizations, charter schools or charter school laws and requirements, preferred;
- Demonstrated experience working in an entrepreneurial, dynamic schools or similarly demanding environment;
- Demonstrated experience managing and leading high performing teams, schools, school districts, private school or non-education organizations including strategic development and operations.
- Demonstrated experience establishing and achieving high level goals while being attentive to the details needed to meet regulatory and educational requirements;
- Demonstrated experience showing positive interactions with a Board of Directors and regulatory agencies;
- Demonstrated ability to lead by example and an ability to create a positive work environment;
- Organizational leadership experience and skills which demonstrate a proven record of success in leading cross-functional teams in order to achieve ambitious results;
- Demonstrated experience which indicates a strong financial acumen, including budgeting, audit processes, budget oversight and financial reporting;
- Demonstrated experience which indicates strong strategic thinking and planning skills.
The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for implementing the philosophies and policies set forth by the Board of Trustees and for directing the Trustees toward the requirements of the policies and procedures as defined by the regulated environment. The CEO will be evaluated annually by the Board with respect to the performance requirements herein and with respect to the specific objectives detailed below.
Lead the development and implementation, with Board approval, of the School's strategic vision and plan, the educational model, the state chartering, and the annual performance requirements and appraisals, from the perspectives of financial, educational, and administrative perspectives.
Manage the school program to provide the necessary administrative program as required of our Pennsylvania charter:
- School performance - educational accomplishment and growth for new and continuing students;
- Maintain school policies and procedures and ensure compliance;
- Properly enforce school policies regarding, truancy, enrollment, and student records documentation;
- Complete and submit state, and federal reports required;
- Complete all state regulatory audits and ensure satisfactory results;
- Manage all complaints, and maintain the School's complaint reporting system;
- Be responsible for management of personnel, student, financial, and administrative issues.
Being responsible for maintaining the school operations, including facilities, procurement, and inventory, and for accountability in meeting these needs.
Define and develop and implement specific programs needed to achieve our strategic directives of outstanding remediation, acceleration, student service, and ease of parent involvement. Develop a highly functional administration, faculty, and staff in order to meet the school's intended mission/program which includes the recruitment, definition of expectations, review and/or redirection of staff, in order to build a team that is competent, effective, engaged, enthusiastic, and communicates well with students and parents. Develop and implement a competent and credible management team; actively leading them to ensure positive progress toward strategic and operational objectives.
Oversee marketing activities and enrollment programs, with enrollment targets approved with the Board. Annually, review and refine the outreach, public relations, and promotions programs. Specifically review and revise, if necessary, the public messaging to ensure our communications match our strategic purpose, direction, mission, and comparative directions to the public at large.
Plan and approve, with the Board, the annual operating budget, and oversee financial status of the school, with a keen eye on managing under budget.
- Approve all financial disbursements prior to disbursement being made;.
- Manage invoicing and receivables to school districts and/or the PA Dept. of Education;
- Monitor actual revenues and expenses vs budget and manage budget modifications;
- Prepare applications, and manage state, and federal grant funds in accordance with regulations;
- Participate with Board, staff and contractors to prepare the financial audit for Board approval.
Develop and implement staff training in an impactful manner. Implement and document staff review and evaluation programs that challenge and improve instruction. Using appropriate data to build individual professional learning plans for all staff, designed to increase student achievement.
Maintain positive and effective relationship with local school districts, the Board of Education and other regulatory agencies in order to enable strong communication and efficient billing and collections as well as required student filings and status management.
Maintain monthly reporting to the Board of Trustees which will outline key strategic and operational matters.