Job Title: Principal 2026-2027 School Year

Employee Classification: Salary, Exempt / Full-Time

Employee Reports To: Chief Schools Officer

Description

Julie Billiart Schools (“JB Schools”) is a network of Catholic, non-public schools serving children in grades K-8 with special learning challenges. Currently operating on four campuses in Akron, Brecksville, Lyndhurst and Westlake. JB Schools creates unique learning environments for students with autism, ADD/ADHD, dyslexia and social learning challenges. 

Overview of Julie Billiart Schools

Beginning in 1954, the Sisters of Notre Dame set the standard in Northeast Ohio for providing the highest level of education and care for children with special learning and social needs. Since its founding, JB Schools has built self-confidence, inspired Christian values and empowered students with skills, knowledge and enthusiasm for life-long learning in a respectful environment that welcomes diverse faith traditions.

The JB Way

Creating an atmosphere of love, acceptance and belonging in the classroom, recognizing students’ unique gifts and talents, and collaborating with students’ families to reach goals is just a part of the culture at JB Schools, since the entire community knows that every child learns differently. At JB Schools, certified intervention specialists collaborate with onsite therapists to assess and develop strategies that are tailored to each child’s learning style. JB Schools’ team approach to whole-child learning combines the benefits of occupational, speech, behavior, art and music therapies with academics and social skill development. Also, because continuity is critical to a child’s academic success, teams of special education experts work closely with students' families to ensure they have the skills and knowledge needed for at-home-learning.

Strategic Opportunities and Challenges

High priorities for the Principal include:

• Recruiting, training and supporting a corps of exceptional special education teachers and specialists charged with designing unique learning environments for students.
• Creating deep and meaningful partnerships with families and students to ensure that each child reaches his or her potential. 
• Fostering a growth mindset that leads to a reflective, collaborative and inspiring culture for students, families, staff members and external stakeholders. 
• Leading the development, coordination and implementation of all school systems, student registration, scheduling, structures and operations aligned with well-established and proven network policies and procedures.
• Building capacity in direct reports to interpret and use data, develop teacher skills and implement targeted interventions that align with the philosophies and mission of JB Schools.  
• Implementing network-wide systems to gather data for the purpose of assigning and determining the appropriateness of interventions using MAPs and other assessments that drive instruction and services.  
• Overseeing the condition of the school’s buildings, grounds and equipment.
• Providing fiscal oversight, including operating within an approved budget, analyzing variance from budget and maximizing resource utilization. 
• Establishing business partnerships and positive relationships with community leaders while participating in collaboration with JB Schools CEO and the central office advancement team in fundraising activities.
• Communicating and collaborating effectively with the school’s Advisory Council to ensure that decisions are well-informed by the school community. 

Requirements

Required Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• A practicing Catholic 
• Valid Ohio Principal’s License or Alternate Principal’s License

Desired Credentials

• Valid State certification as an Intervention Specialist and/or Special Education Teacher or significant experience overseeing special educators and/or specialists
• Completion of an approved Principal Preparation Program within 3 years from the start of position
• Master’s degree in Educational Administration or a similar field (obtained or in process)

Skills and ExperienceEducation Leader Aligned with JB Schools’ Mission and Core ValuesThe Principal must be an experienced educational leader who exemplifies JB Schools’ core values of collaboration, compassion, communication, family and positive attitude. The Principal must believe that every child learns differently and be able to support the development of tailored strategies for each child’s learning style to ensure every JB Schools’ student reaches his/her potential. The leader must be able to assess program and classroom effectiveness and offer an informed perspective on individualized programs and interventions, while supporting collaborative decision making amongst a team of special education professionals.

Strong Administrator with an Entrepreneurial Spirit As the school’s administrative leader, the Principal will be responsible for overseeing the site’s operations, finances, facilities and staff, efficiently aligning and maximizing resources to achieve the school’s and the network’s strategic goals. The leader must bring an entrepreneurial spirit to the work, be facile integrating network best practices, be bold in offering insight and perspective, and be able to navigate the challenges inevitably encountered when leading a school. 

Proactive, Inclusive and Inspirational Leader and Team BuilderThe Principal must be an experienced leader of staff who can hire and build a team of education professionals aligned with JB Schools’ mission and values. The Principal must inspire staff, delegate effectively, build teams and generate trust and respect across the entire school community as well as the JB Schools network. The Principal will be a hands-on, special education practitioner who can offer informed intervention and program strategies, but also comfortable and competent in empowering and delegating to others. Mentoring staff to grow personally and professionally in their individual and team roles is also a responsibility of the leader.  

Flexible Multitasker Although well-supported by JB Schools’ central office staff, as a site leader, the Principal will be responsible for managing a diverse and complex set of responsibilities, including implementation of the education program and management of the following functions: human resources, facilities, parent engagement, compliance, finances, community engagement, external relations and fundraising. As such, the leader will need to multi-task daily, delegate effectively and judiciously and have the exceptional organizational and time management skills required to juggle a highly diverse set of responsibilities. 

Community Leader, Spokesperson and AdvocateThe Principal must serve as an eager and energetic public face for the school, able to build and sustain collaborative relationships with parents, religious leaders, partners, community and business leaders, surrounding school systems and like-minded organizations. A consummate communicator when engaging with prospective or current parents, the Principal must listen carefully, speak persuasively and passionately about JB Schools, anticipate concerns and questions and proactively respond to inquiries. In addition, the Principal must be a fierce advocate for each student as well as the entire school community.

Julie Billiart Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Julie Billiart Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.