Join Garrett County Public Schools as our next Chief Academic Officer!
Title: Chief Academic Officer
Location: Central Office, Oakland, MD
FTE: Full-Time
Status: Exempt (Confidential, Non-Bargaining Unit)
Terms: 12 Months, 8 Hours per day, but may be greater depending upon system needs
Salary: Chief Academic Officer Salary Schedule based upon experience and educational background.
Supervisor: Superintendent of Schools
Availability: July 1, 2026
Deadline: Applications received by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026, will be considered for the initial interviews and will be given first consideration. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.
Job Summary:
The CAO leads district-wide curriculum, instruction, professional learning, and academic accountability systems to ensure coherence, rigor, and measurable improvement in student outcomes. The CAO is responsible for promoting excellence across all educational programs, ensuring rigorous and standards-aligned instruction, and supervising the implementation and evaluation of instructional programs. The CAO leads systemwide strategic planning around academic priorities aligned to the district's vision and ensures effective implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future and federal programs (Title I, II, IV).
Qualifications:
- Meets Maryland state certification requirements for Administrator II
- Master's degree from an accredited college or university with graduate coursework in administration, supervision, curriculum, instruction, or a related area
- A minimum of five (5) years of successful supervisory, administrative, or management experience in curriculum and/or instruction within a public school setting.
- Demonstrated track record of improving academic outcomes
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills
- Demonstrated leadership qualities
- Excellent organizational and human relations skills
- Experience in leading instructional improvement initiatives
- Ability to work collaboratively toward the district's goals
- Strong ability to analyze data to inform instruction and strategic priorities
- Demonstrates strong attention to detail and accuracy in all aspects of work
- Experience and skills in grant writing (preferred)
- Strong knowledge of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future (preferred)
- Key Responsibilities:
- Provides executive leadership and oversight of all district instructional programs to maximize student learning, growth, and academic outcomes.
- Establishes and articulates a clear, systemwide instructional vision aligned to the district's strategic goals and priorities.
- Leads implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, including development of implementation plans, progress monitoring, cross-departmental coordination, and continuous program refinement.
- Facilitates systemwide strategic planning in alignment with district goals, state priorities, and measurable performance targets.
- Oversees all federal education programs (i.e., Title I, II, IV), ensuring full compliance with applicable laws and regulations while strategically leveraging funds to advance district priorities.
- Develops, writes, monitors, and evaluates various federal and state grants, including the ESSA Consolidated Strategic Plan, ensuring compliance, fiscal responsibility, and program effectiveness.
- Monitors school performance, student achievement data, and progress toward academic goals, leading targeted improvement efforts across all schools.
- Partners with instructional leaders to strengthen classroom effectiveness while applying current educational research, trends, and policy to inform practice.
- Evaluates and refines curriculum, instructional programs, and academic initiatives using data-driven continuous improvement processes.
- Cultivates partnerships with external organizations, institutions, and professional networks to support innovation and shared learning.
- Represents the district in Board of Education meetings, state-wide meetings, community forums, and professional settings on academic and instructional matters.
- Collaboratively develops and oversees budgets for multiple departments and programs, ensuring resource allocation aligns with instructional priorities and compliance requirements.
- Performs other related duties as assigned by the Superintendent.
- Supports administrative and special projects; responsibilities may be restructured at the discretion of the Superintendent.
Comprehensive benefits include healthcare (medical, dental, vision), life insurance, and participation in the Maryland Retirement and Pension Plan, with optional 403(b) contributions. Employees receive paid sick leave, personal days, vacation, and access to wellness programs and employee assistance resources.
Questions:
If you have questions and require assistance accessing or completing the online application, contact the Office of Human Resources and Employee Relations at 301-334-8904.
Accommodation Requests:
If you are contacted for an interview, please notify the Office of Human Resources and Employee Relations of any reasonable disability-related accommodation requests.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Garrett County Board of Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any federal, or state or local protected class. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Human Resources and Employee Relations at 301-334-8904
