Principal – Delano High School

Delano Public Schools (ISD #879) Delano, Minnesota: A Destination School District

District Mission: Empowering every learner to achieve their highest potential through academic excellence and quality opportunities.

Our Vision: The vision of Delano Public Schools is to promote and sustain excellence through:

• Comprehensive and Relevant Education Programs
• Safe and Supportive Environments
• Exceptional Staff
• Responsible Resource Management
• Community Partnerships

The Opportunity

Delano Public Schools is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as the Principal of Delano High School. Located just 30 miles west of Minneapolis, Delano Public Schools offers a “small-town feel with big-city opportunities.” We are seeking a relational leader who fosters trust through authentic connections and brings the expertise necessary to make timely, data-informed decisions that support students and staff.

Why Delano Public Schools?
Delano Public Schools is consistently recognized as one of the nation’s top-performing districts.

• Academic Excellence: Consistently ranked in the top three percent of school districts in the U.S. and Number 14 in Minnesota (Niche).
• Award-Winning: A frequent member of the Advanced Placement Honor Roll and recipient of the “America’s Best High Schools” recognition by U.S. News & World Report.
• The Tiger Way: We live by the values of Teamwork, Inclusion, Grit, Excellence and Respect.
• Community Support: Delano is a tight-knit, vibrant community that is deeply invested in the success of its school district.

The Ideal Candidate: A “Relational Decider”
Our community has defined the following priorities for the next high school principal:

1. Cultural Leadership and Relational Trust

• Visibility and Presence: You are an “authentic presence” in the hallways, lunchrooms, and at school events—from the Friday night lights to the fine arts stage.
• Staff Advocacy: You support and advocate for staff by managing external challenges and recognizing excellence in professional practice
• Psychological Safety: You lead with empathy and emotional intelligence to create a culture where everyone feels they belong.

2. Operational Excellence and Decisive Action

• Decisiveness: You possess the clarity to make difficult decisions and the follow-through to ensure they are implemented consistently.
• Stability: You are a problem-solver who can navigate controversy with composure and transparency.
• Managerial Integrity: You maintain high expectations for student accountability and professional conduct, balanced with an approachable demeanor and a willingness to thoughtfully consider multiple perspectives

3. Systemic Vision

• K-12 Lens: You understand that high school is the culmination of a K-12 journey and work collaboratively with district leadership to ensure alignment across all levels.
• Holistic Student Focus: You balance academic rigor with a deep commitment to mental health, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), and the “fun” that defines the high school experience.

Salary and Benefits

• Competitive Salary: Commensurate with experience and consistent with the Delano Principals Association Master Agreement.
• • Salary Range: $135,000 – $148,000
• Comprehensive Benefits: High-quality health and dental insurance, life insurance and long-term disability.
• Professional Growth: Support for ongoing professional development.