Job Description:

Superintendent – Position Description
Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy (FALA) Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
Reports To: Governing Board FLSA Status: Exempt | Full-Time

Position Summary
The Superintendent of Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy (FALA) serves as the executive administrator and instructional leader responsible for driving the mission, vision, and values of the school. This individual is responsible for ensuring the effective execution of FALA’s mission to cultivate lifelong learners and ethical leaders through rigorous academic and artistic education. The Superintendent is accountable for strategic planning, instructional excellence, financial stewardship, operational integrity, and maintaining strong relationships with all stakeholders. The role requires vision, transparency, and a steadfast commitment to high expectations and continuous improvement.

Primary Responsibilities
Instructional Leadership & Academic Excellence
•    Champion high academic expectations, Common Good, Connection and Collaboration, Investment, Critical Inquiry, and Creativity in alignment with FALA’s “Habits of Hands, Heart, and Mind.”
•    Lead the implementation of rigorous, standards-aligned academic and artistic programs and ensure instruction is research-based, inclusive, and differentiated.
•    Promote instructional practices that support measurable student growth and achievement across all content areas.
•    Oversee professional development, teacher coaching, and evaluation, integrating student achievement data into continuous improvement.
•    Develop and retain highly effective educators committed to lifelong learning, ethical leadership, and a culture of collaborative learning.
•    Ensure curriculum and instruction are aligned with college and career readiness standards.
•    Integrate assessment and data monitoring systems to inform decisions and guide academic improvement.
 
Strategic Planning & Implementation
•    Implement and monitor progress toward FALA’s Strategic Plan in collaboration with the Governing Board and school leaders.
•    Align school initiatives and resource allocation with strategic objectives across academics, finance, operations, and culture.
•    Develop SMART goals aligned to strategic priorities, using them as a framework for performance evaluation.
•    Provide quarterly progress updates and data-informed recommendations to the Board.
Financial Stewardship
•    Develop and manage the school’s annual budget in collaboration with the finance committee and execute a comprehensive financial plan aligned with FALA’s mission.
•    Maintain accountability for all funding streams including state and federal funds, grants, and donations, ensuring sound financial practices and transparency.
•    Ensure compliance with Arizona charter school financial laws, federal regulations, and independent audit requirements.
•    Maintain robust internal financial controls and support transparency through regular financial reporting and annual audits.
•    Collaborate with the Finance Committee to benchmark financial performance and manage operational risk.
•    Fulfill all financial disclosure and reporting obligations related to the school’s bond agreement, including updates to the bond trustee and participation in investor meetings.
•    Monitor performance indicators such as enrollment, liquidity, net income, and debt service coverage to ensure compliance with bond covenants and ASBCS requirements.
Governance & Compliance
•    Serve as the primary liaison to the Governing Board and provide school reports and updates regularly.
•    Maintain communication and compliance with the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools (ASBCS), Arizona Department of Education (ADE), Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), and other regulatory bodies.
•    Ensure compliance with charter contract requirements, state and federal education laws, and special education mandates (IDEA, 504, Title I).
•    Support board development and decision-making protocols that promote transparency, strong communication, and shared accountability.
•    Implement and regularly review school policies and procedures that reflect ethical governance and maintain public trust.
 
Operations & Organizational Management
•    Ensure smooth and efficient school operations, including HR, staffing, facilities, scheduling, technology, and school safety.
•    Lead personnel planning, recruitment, evaluation, and retention in accordance with best practices and legal requirements.
•    Oversee employee relations and maintain a collaborative and supportive work environment.
•    Manage support systems for student health, safety, transportation, food services, and vendor contracts.
•    Oversee risk management, including insurance coverage, emergency preparedness, and compliance with internal controls.
School Culture & Community Engagement
•    Build and sustain strong relationships with families, staff, students, alumni, local organizations, and authorizers.
•    Foster a positive and welcoming school culture based on innovation and student-centered learning, consistent with FALA’s “Habits of Hands, Heart, and Mind.”.
•    Maintain a respectful and supportive learning environment where students and employees feel a sense of safety and belonging.
•    Serve as the public face of the school and champion FALA’s mission and vision in the broader community.
•    Ensure consistent, timely, and transparent communication across all stakeholder groups.
•    Promote the school through outreach, events, and strategic partnerships.

Evaluation Criteria
The Superintendent will be evaluated annually based on five core performance domains:
1.    Leadership and School Culture
2.    Instructional Leadership
3.    Organizational and Fiscal Management
4.    Community and Stakeholder Engagement
5.    Governance and Strategic Alignment
Superintendent goals will be developed jointly with the Board at the beginning of each evaluation cycle and reviewed using both qualitative and quantitative measures.