Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education

Employment Agreement Between The West Chester Area School District And Dr. James Conley

THIS AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into this 24th day of April 2024, by and between the WEST CHESTER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT (the “School District”) with offices located at 782 Springdale Drive, Exton, Pennsylvania 19341 and DR. JAMES CONLEY), (hereinafter “Dr. Conley” or “Assistant Superintendent”). 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 1076 and 1077 of the Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949, as amended (hereinafter “School Code”), the Board of Directors of the School District (“School Board”) desires to employ Dr. Conley as the Assistant Superintendent at the School District;

WHEREAS, the School District, at a regularly scheduled meeting, duly and properly called as of the 24th day of April 2024, upon nomination of the Superintendent, did appoint Dr. Conley to the office of Assistant Superintendent in accordance with the provisions of Sections 5508, 10-1073, 10-1073.1, 10-1076, and 10-1077 of the Public School Code of 1949, as amended; and 

WHEREAS, the parties have agreed upon certain terms and conditions of employment and desire to reduce said terms and conditions in writing;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the School District and Assistant Superintendent agree as follows: 

Section A. Terms Of Employment

1. Employment and Term of Agreement. The School Board employs Dr. Conley as District Assistant Superintendent and Dr. Conley accepts such employment as District Assistant Superintendent upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the School Code for a five (5) year term effective on July 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2029 (“Term”).  This Agreement shall terminate immediately upon the expiration of the aforesaid Term unless the Agreement is modified or terminated earlier, in accordance with this Agreement, or allowed to renew automatically in accordance with the Public School Code and as set forth below. 

(a) In the event the Assistant Superintendent wishes to be reappointed at the end of the Term of this Agreement, he shall notify the Board President and Superintendent, in writing, on or before January 1, 2029, that he wishes to be reappointed by the Board.

(b) The School Board shall provide Assistant Superintendent with written notice of its intent to renew, or not to renew, this Agreement beyond June 30, 2029, no later than ninety (90) days prior to the termination of this Agreement. If the School Board fails to take public action on its intent to renew or terminate the contract with the Assistant Superintendent the Term of this Agreement shall be automatically extend under the same terms and conditions one time for a one-year period. At the conclusion of any renewal of this Agreement, the Term of this Agreement shall automatically terminate absent a separate Agreement between the School District and Assistant Superintendent.

2. Qualifications.  Dr. Conley covenants that he presently possesses, and will take all necessary action to continue to possess, all legal qualifications to serve as the Assistant Superintendent during the Term of this Agreement. The Assistant Superintendent shall obtain a valid or current commission from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

3. Duties of Employment and Professional Growth

(a) Assistant Superintendent shall be responsible for performing the job duties contained in Appendix “A,” which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. Assistant Superintendent agrees to perform his duties in a competent and professional manner, and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the applicable law, the School Code, and the Policies, Rules and Regulations adopted by the School Board for the government of the School District. The duties may be changed by the School Board or the Superintendent after furnishing Assistant Superintendent with the opportunity to provide input concerning such changes.

(b) The School Board encourages Assistant Superintendent to continue professional growth through participation in programs conducted or sponsored by school-related local, state and national organizations and associations; seminars offered by public or private institutions; informational meetings; and visits to other institutions and school entities. Subject to prior recommendation of and written pre-approval by the Superintendent, the School District shall: (1) permit a reasonable amount of time for Assistant Superintendent to attend to such events; and (2) pay for the reasonable fees for travel, registration and subsistence expenses upon presentation of satisfactory documentation of the same and in accordance with the procedures set forth by the School District.

(c) The Assistant Superintendent shall not have any financial interest, direct or indirect, in the sale to or the lease by the School District of any supplies, equipment or services.

4. Compensation.

(a) Base Salary. The School District agrees to pay to Assistant Superintendent a base salary at an annual rate of Two Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($225,000.00), less legally required withholdings, for the 2024-2025 school year, prorated in the event that there is less than a full year of service. Salary for subsequent contract years under the Term of this Agreement shall be determined using the applicable provisions of the School District’s Act 93 Plan, as it exists at the time of entering into this Agreement (“Act 93 Plan”). A copy of the Act 93 Plan is attached hereto as Appendix “B” and incorporated herein by reference. Subsequent amendments or changes to the Act 93 Plan shall have no effect on Assistant Superintendent’s salary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the School Board in its discretion may increase the Assistant Superintendent’s base salary consistent with market trends.

(b) Variable Rate Compensation. Variable rate compensation for the 20242025 school year shall equal Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00).  In each of the successive contract years during the Term, the increase in variable rate compensation pool of funds shall be adjusted based on the Assistant Superintendent’s salary adjustment under the Act 93 Plan. The variable rate compensation shall not be cumulative; however the increase in the variable rate compensation shall be cumulative. The variable rate compensation shall be paid, if authorized by the Superintendent, on an annual basis after completion of Assistant Superintendent’s annual performance review. The variable rate compensation paid to Assistant Superintendent shall be authorized by the Superintendent based on the performance of goals as determined by the Superintendent. The variable rate compensation is intended by the School District to qualify as regular compensation for purposes of the Public School Employees Retirement System (“PSERS”). Assistant Superintendent shall have no right to receive additional compensation available under the Act 93 Plan, including but not limited to compensation in the form of a Performance Goals Merit Bonus. 

The variable increase shall be awarded based on the following performance assessment rating: 

5. Benefits

(a) Benefits under Act 93 Plan. Assistant Superintendent shall be eligible for all benefits (excluding compensation adjustments) provided under the School District’s Act 93 Plan incorporated herein as Appendix “B”. Under no circumstances shall the Assistant Superintendent be eligible for duplicative benefits. To the extent that there is any inconsistency or conflict between the benefits in this Agreement and the benefits provided to any other District administrator under the Act 93 Plan, the Assistant Superintendent shall receive the benefits or the benefit restrictions established in this Agreement. To the extent that a benefit is not mentioned in this Agreement that contained in the Act 93 Plan, other than an early retirement incentive plan, salary adjustment, or similar type of benefit, the Assistant Superintendent will be entitled to receive such benefit as part of his benefits package. It is understood, however, that the Act 93 Plan may be amended or modified by the District during the Term. Nothing contained herein shall preclude the School District from providing additional benefits to the Assistant Superintendent as may be agreed to by the parties.

Section B. Benefits Provisions

1. Vacation Leave. The Assistant Superintendent shall be credited with thirty (30) paid vacation days each school year, subject to proration for the first school year of the Term (i.e., 2024-2025 school year) and which shall be credited in full on July 1, 2024, and July 1 of every subsequent year of this Agreement.  Unused vacation days shall be carried over from school year to school year, provided that the combined balance of available vacation days shall not exceed thirty-five (35) days on July 1 of any year of this Agreement. The Assistant Superintendent shall be permitted to use vacation days at any time when school is not in session. When school is in session, the Assistant Superintendent may use vacation days only with prior written approval of the Superintendent.

(a) To the extent unused vacation days cannot be carried over in any school year without exceeding the maximum limit of thirty-five (35) available days, the School District shall make a non-elective contribution to Assistant Superintendent’s 403(b) plan in an amount equal to Assistant Superintendent’s then current per diem rate of pay for each excess unused vacation day, up to a maximum of fifteen (15) days. To the extent such contribution, when aggregated with other contributions for the year would exceed the maximum permitted by law, the excess shall be contributed in the subsequent year or years, subject to all restrictions imposed by law. Assistant Superintendent’s “per diem rate of pay,” as the term is used throughout this Agreement, shall be calculated by dividing the Assistant Superintendent’s then current annual salary by 240. 

(b) Upon the termination of this Agreement, provided that the parties have not entered into another employment agreement and provided that this Agreement has not been terminated by the School District for cause, the School District shall make a non-elective contribution to Assistant Superintendent’s 403(b) plan in an amount equal to Assistant Superintendent’s then current per diem rate of pay for each unused vacation day up to a maximum of thirty-five (35) days. To the extent such contribution, when aggregated with other contributions for the year would exceed the maximum permitted by law, the excess shall be contributed in the subsequent year or years, subject to all restrictions imposed by law. There is no cash option for such payment for unused vacation leave.

(c) In addition to vacation leave, the Assistant Superintendent shall receive, with full pay, all holidays available to twelve-month administrators covered under the School District’s Act 93 Plan, so long he is employed, excepting, however, years where he is serving less than a full year when compensation and benefits are prorated.

2. Bereavement Leave. The Assistant Superintendent shall be permitted to take five (5) bereavement days annually. Bereavement leave shall not be taken unless authorized by the Superintendent.

3. Sick Leave. The Assistant Superintendent shall be entitled to twelve (12) days of paid sick leave each school year of the Term (prorated for the first year) and which shall be credited in full on July 1, 2024, and July 1 of every subsequent year of this Agreement. Unused sick days shall be cumulative without limit. The Assistant Superintendent shall notify the District Business Office when absent on sick leave.

(a) In addition, Assistant Superintendent shall be credited with forty-five (45) sick days as the result of his service in the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District effective upon Assistant Superintendent’s first day of actual service in the School District, subject to receiving written confirmation of those days from his previous employer. The forty-five (45) days of sick leave carried over from the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District shall not be eligible for any sick leave payouts pursuant to this Agreement or the Act 93 Plan.  

4. Medical, Prescription, Vision, and Dental Insurance. The School District shall provide the Assistant Superintendent, his spouse, and eligible dependents medical insurance coverage and benefits, including, but not limited to, hospitalization, physician coverage, major medical, prescription drug, vision, and dental coverage, under the same terms and conditions as provided to School District administrators under the School District’s Act 93 Plan and including contributions to a Health Savings Account or Health Retirement Account, if applicable. The Assistant Superintendent shall have the right, at his sole discretion, to select coverage under any of the plans offered by the School District to any School District administrator.

5. Life Insurance. The School District shall provide and pay the cost of a term life insurance policy in the amount equal to three (3) times the Assistant Superintendent’s annual base salary rounded to the nearest hundred, plus Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00). The Assistant Superintendent shall have the sole right to determine the beneficiary of such policy.

6. Transportation. The School District shall reimburse the Assistant Superintendent for transportation expenses in accordance with the Internal Revenue Service’s current mileage allowance for use of Assistant Superintendent’s vehicle when used for transportation relating to the performance of his duties under this Agreement.

7. Equipment. The School District shall reimburse the Assistant Superintendent for the monthly cost of a telephone plan, not to exceed One-Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per month, during the Term of this Agreement.

8. Professional Development and Continuing Education. The School District shall pay the full enrollment cost for all professional development courses and continuing education courses taken by the Assistant Superintendent during this Agreement; provided that such courses are approved in advance and in writing by the Superintendent and subject to repayment by the Assistant Superintendent for any course in which the Assistant Superintendent fails to receive a final passing grade or otherwise successfully complete.

9. Professional Memberships. Subject to Superintendent approval, the School District shall pay the cost of the Assistant Superintendent’s annual membership to participate in professional associations including but not limited to, the American Association of School Administrators, the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. The School District recognizes the obligation to professional growth and development provided by these affiliations and encourages and permits the Assistant Superintendent to participate actively.

10. Outside Engagements. The Assistant Superintendent shall devote his full time, attention, energies, skills and labor to his employment with the School District during the Term of this Agreement; however, Assistant Superintendent may undertake consultative work, speaking engagements, writing, lecturing, adjunct teaching or other professional services which are of a short-term duration as approved in writing by the Superintendent. The Assistant Superintendent shall not engage in professional services which will result in a conflict of interest with the performance of his duties under this Agreement.

11. Retirement Benefits. Provided the Assistant Superintendent permanently retires from the School District under the provision of PSERS as a superannuated annuitant , the School District shall provide the Assistant Superintendent, his spouse, and eligible dependents with the opportunity to continue group health plan coverage including medical, prescription, drug, vision, and dental coverage provided by the School District to its then current administrators under the School District’s then current Act 93 Plan for seven years from date of his retirement until the attainment of the Assistant Superintendent’s Medicare eligibility, whichever is earlier. Continued coverage shall be subject to the payment of the Assistant Superintendent paying his share of premium costs for the health benefit plan coverage elected as is paid by then current administrators. The retirement benefit shall not be available to the Assistant Superintendent in the event his employment with the School District is terminated for cause under the School Code.

12. Longevity Incentive. The School District shall make an annual payment to a tax shelter for the Assistant Superintendent under the following schedule so long as the Assistant Superintendent remains employed as of the date of the contribution. The Assistant Superintendent shall be eligible for a $5,000.00 contribution on July 1, 2025; the Assistant Superintendent shall be eligible for a $5,000.00 contribution on July 1, 2026; the Assistant Superintendent shall be eligible for a $10,000 contribution on July 1, 2027; the Assistant Superintendent shall be eligible for a $10,000 contribution on July 1, 2028 and the Assistant Superintendent shall be eligible for a $20,000 contribution on June 30, 2029. For purposes of this Agreement, the longevity incentive shall not be considered part of the Assistant Superintendent’s annual salary.

13. Salary Continuation for Extended Illness/Disability. Eligibility for this benefit begins the first of the month coincident with or next following date of employment. The Assistant Superintendent shall receive sixty percent (60%) of his then-current salary up to $6,000 total monthly income paid until age 65, after a 30-day elimination period or exhaustion of all accumulated sick banks, whichever is greater.

14. Participation in the 457(b) Plan. The District shall make an annual contribution into the District’s 457(b) deferred compensation plan for the Assistant Superintendent as provided in the Act 93 Agreement but not less than 2.86% of annual salary.

15. Tuition Reimbursement for Graduate Credits. The Assistant Superintendent may receive reimbursement for graduate credits contingent on the pre-approval of graduate courses by the Superintendent and the following: 

(a) Courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or better.

(b) Costs per credit hour for graduate courses reimbursed at 100 percent up to $640.00 per credit, subject to adjustments in the per credit rate recommended by the Superintendent and approved by the Board based on survey information.

(c) No more than fifteen (15) credits may be taken during any school year, July 1 through June 30. 

16. Meetings, Conventions and Conferences. The duties of the Assistant Superintendent require his presence at meetings, conventions, and conferences in order that he can maintain awareness of current education-related issues and information. The Assistant Superintendent shall have the right to attend regional, state and national meetings, conventions and conferences for the purpose of professional development upon approval of the Superintendent. The District considers the expenses involved in such activities to be directly related to his duties and appropriate for reimbursement. The Assistant Superintendent shall be reimbursed for all costs associated with such meetings, conventions and conferences including registration, travel, food and lodging in accordance with School District policies and procedures applicable to other District administrators.

17. Holidays. The Assistant Superintendent shall be entitled to 12 holidays each fiscal year; New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Commemorative; Lincoln-Washington Commemorative; Memorial Day, Good Friday, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (2) and Christmas (2).

18. Waiver of Right to Sabbatical Leave. To the extent that Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer otherwise would be eligible for a sabbatical leave, Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer waives any and all rights to take a sabbatical leave, pursuant to the School Code, as amended.

Section C. Performance

1. Assessment of Performance.

(a) The School Board, through the Superintendent, shall evaluate in writing the performance of Assistant Superintendent once a year during the Term of this Agreement, no later than September 1st of each year, unless the parties mutually agree in writing on another date for the annual evaluation. The objective performance standards set forth herein shall be used as the basis of the evaluation.

(b) The performance assessment shall be used for the following purposes: 

(i) To strengthen the working relationship among the Board, the Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent;

(ii) To evaluate performance consistent with job description responsibilities; 

(iii) To discuss and establish goals and objective performance standards for the ensuing year; and

(iv) To establish the basis for possible increases in the base salary for the Assistant Superintendent or the receipt of any variable compensation.

(c) The School Board and Assistant Superintendent hereby agree to the objective performance standards attached hereto as Appendix “C” and incorporated herein by reference. The objective performance standards may be updated as necessary on or before October 1st of each school year of this Agreement or within thirty (30) days of the release of state assessment date, unless another date is mutually agreed upon by the parties. The School Board shall post the objective performance standards on the School District’s website. The School Board shall annually post the date of the Assistant Superintendent’s annual performance assessment and whether or not the Assistant Superintendent met the agreed upon objective performance standards. 

Section D. Termination Of Employment Agreement

1. Termination of Agreement Prior to Expiration.  This Agreement may be terminated prior to the end of the Term of this Agreement as follows: 

(a) Assistant Superintendent shall be subject to discharge and termination of this Agreement for valid and just cause for the reasons specified in the School Code. The School Board shall provide the opportunity for a hearing before the School Board or before a hearing officer designated by the School Board. Upon termination for cause, Assistant Superintendent shall be entitled only to such salary and benefits which Assistant Superintendent had earned in accordance with this Agreement prior to the effective date of his termination. 

(b) This Agreement may be unilaterally terminated without penalty by the resignation of Assistant Superintendent at any time, provided Assistant Superintendent gives the School Board at least ninety (90) days’ written notice prior to the effective date of the resignation. Assistant Superintendent shall be entitled to all the salary and benefits to which Assistant Superintendent is entitled in accordance with this Agreement through the effective date of his resignation and termination of this Agreement and any applicable post-employment and retirement benefits provided for in this Agreement, contingent upon the provision of the ninety (90) days’ written notice prior to the effective date of resignation. The School Board may in its sole discretion waive the notification period under this provision.  

(c) This Agreement may be terminated by the written mutual written consent of the parties, in which case Assistant Superintendent shall be entitled to all the salary and benefits to which Assistant Superintendent is entitled in accordance with this Agreement through the effective date of termination of this Agreement, including any post-employment and retirement benefits as may be applicable and any additional amount mutually agreed upon by the School Board and Assistant Superintendent.

(d) This Agreement shall be terminated upon the death of the Assistant Superintendent, at which time, the District shall pay to the Assistant Superintendent’s surviving spouse, or if no surviving spouse to the Assistant Superintendent’s estate and/or heirs all of the salary and benefits the Assistant Superintendent earned, accrued, and/or is entitled to under this Agreement through the date of the Assistant Superintendent’s death. The District shall also provide the Assistant Superintendent’s spouse and eligible dependents with healthcare benefits as required by law. 

2. Buy-Out/Severance.  In the event the School Board, at its sole discretion, may terminate this Agreement unilaterally prior to the prior to the expiration of the Term and provided further that if there are two (2) or more years remaining on the Term, the School District shall pay to Assistant Superintendent an amount equal to one (1) year of his then-current annual salary and benefits as otherwise set forth in this Agreement. If there are less than two (2) years remaining on the Term, the School District shall pay the Assistant Superintendent an amount equal to one-half (0.5) of his then-current salary and benefits remaining as otherwise set forth in this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no buy-out/severance under this section will be provided if the Agreement is terminated by the School Board for cause.

Section E. Section D: Miscellaneous

1. Severability. Each covenant and agreement in this Agreement shall for all purposes be construed as a separate and independent covenant or agreement. In the event any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal or otherwise unenforceable by final decision of a court of this Commonwealth, said provision shall be deemed deleted from this Agreement and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect if not otherwise affected by said deletion.

2. Indemnification. The School District shall defend, hold harmless and indemnify Assistant Superintendent from any and all demands, claims, suits, actions and legal proceedings brought against him in his individual capacity, or in his official capacity as agent and employee of the School District, provided the incident giving rise to such claim or action arose while Assistant Superintendent was acting within the scope of employment under this Agreement, and excluding illegal and/or criminal activity, and provided the School Board has liability coverage against such claims or actions. However, in no case, will individual Board Members be considered personally liable for indemnifying Assistant Superintendent against such demands, claims, suits, action and legal proceedings. Nothing herein shall be construed as a waiver of the School District’s obligation set forth in Pennsylvania Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act, 42 Pa.C.S. § 8541 et. seq. 

3. No Waiver. The failure of any party to enforce at any time any of the provisions of this Agreement, or any rights in respect thereof, or the exercise of or failure to exercise by any party any rights or any of its elections herein provided, shall in no way be considered to be a waiver of such provisions, rights, or elections in the future or in any way to affect the validity of this Agreement.

4. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter covered herein, and consolidates and includes all other discussions, negotiations, proposals, and agreements and supersedes any other agreement between the parties. Each of the parties has entered into this Agreement in reliance upon only the provisions contained herein and not upon any external representations by any party. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by agreement of the parties hereto and memorialized in a written instrument executed by the parties. Termination, severance and buy- out provisions shall not be modified during the course of the Agreement or in the event the Agreement is terminated prematurely. 

5. Successors and Assigns. Assistant Superintendent may not assign, in whole or in part, this Agreement or his rights, duties, obligations, responsibilities or compensation to any person or entity, unless approved in writing by the School Board. This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the parties, as well as their heirs, executors and administrators. 

6. Notices. Any notice required by this Agreement shall be effective upon hand delivery, or, if mailed to the other party (does not include electronic mail or other electronic means), the date postmarked, to the parties at the following addresses (or to such other addresses as any party may specify in a notice to the other):

IF TO THE SCHOOL BOARD OR SCHOOL DISTRICT:

Board of School Directors
West Chester Area School District
782 Springdale Drive
Exton, PA 19341
IF TO DR. JAMES CONLEY: ______________________ ______________________ 

7. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. 

8. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have hereunto set their hands and seals on the day set forth above.

BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS OF
WEST CHESTER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
By:
Name: Karen Fleming
Title: President, Board of School Directors

By:
Name: Linda Cherashore
Title: Secretary, Board of School Directors

DR. JAMES CONLEY 

Appendix A - West Chester Area School District Position Description

POSITION TITLE: Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education 
DEPARTMENT: Management Team
FLSA: Exempt
DATE: February 2024
LOCATION: Administration Building 

Summary

The Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education is responsible for the overall operation of secondary education, programming, and athletics. The Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education is also responsible for the supervision of the secondary principals (middle and high) and athletic directors. The Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education works cooperatively with the Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer, to plan meaningful professional development activities for all secondary administrators and staff. S/he is responsible for District level activities that pertain to general administration of the District on both a long-term and day-to-day basis, as well as those services that have a direct bearing on students’ learning outcomes. 

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports directly to and works collaboratively with the Superintendent.
• Responsible for secondary administrators, including all Middle and High School Principals and Assistant Principals, and athletic directors.
• Works cooperatively with other administrators and staff to perform job responsibilities as outlined.
• Indirectly leads, manages, and collaborates with directors, supervisors, and curriculum leaders.
• Works cooperatively with administrators, staff, parents, students, community members, Board members, and other outside contacts to perform duties as outlined.

Terms of Employment:

1. 12-month position

2. Salary and benefits are as described in the Administrative Compensation Plan of the West Chester Area School District and Agreement for employment.

Qualification and Physical Requirements:

To successfully perform this position, a person must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualification requirements listed below represent minimum levels of educational achievement, training, skill and/or ability necessary. 

• Letter of Eligibility.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in the development of K-12 curriculum, programming and in leading high quality professional development.
• Extensive knowledge of assessment of common core standards and professional development, K-12.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in secondary education and scheduling.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in the supervision of athletic programs.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals.
• Possess effective interpersonal skills with the ability to interface diplomatically with other administrators, teachers, parents, students, Board members, support staff, colleagues, and outside professional contacts.
• Ability to work with and apply mathematical concepts; ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; proficiency in the use of technology for individual and system management, communication, and research; proficiency in presentation technology to enhance small and large group information and demonstration sessions.
• Skills in coordinating and evaluating staff use of technology.  

Qualified candidate will be required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or  controls, and to talk and hear; Sit and occasionally be required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel and crouch; Have specific vision abilities, to include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus;  Have the ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; and possess effective communication, judgmental, planning and human relations skills, and will be required to work under periods of stress due to the level of the position responsibility. 

Essential Duties And Responsibilities:

This list is intended to be illustrative rather than complete and serves to show major duties and responsibilities and does not express or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the incumbent in this position. The employee will be required to be consistently at work and perform any other position-related duties requested by the superintendent. 

Comprehensive Planning And K-12 Duties:

1. Plans, develops, interprets, evaluates and coordinates the districts comprehensive plan and K-12 district programming.

2. Indirectly develops, implements and evaluates curriculum through his/her leadership on the Instructional Cabinet and Instructional Leadership Team

3. Develops and supervises grants for curriculum, instructional and district programming.

4. Keeps abreast of latest developments and legal opinions in all areas of supervision and informs administrators and staff.

5. Indirectly coordinates the development and implementation of the District Teacher Induction Program K-12.

6. Serves on the School Board Education Committee and other district committees as needed.

7. Observes and provides input to the evaluation of staff members in all school programs as needed.

8. Indirectly organizes and conducts the Act 48 Professional Development Plan, and the District Professional Development programs.

9. Prepares budgets for each service and/or function under his/her responsibility and controls expenditures within the established budget limitations.

10. Coordinates K-12 district programming.

11. Represents the District on committees and at meetings and conferences related to assigned responsibilities.

12. Supervises the development, facilitation, planning and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.

13. Conducts observations and site visits to ensure curriculum and program implementation.

14. Responsible for District assessment and testing programs.

15. Assumes leadership role during Superintendent’s absence.

16. Performs other duties as directed by the Superintendent.

Secondary Education Duties

1. Serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet.

2. Serves as a standing member and participant of the Instructional Cabinet.

3. Supervises and evaluates the performance of secondary administrators.

4. Leads the coordination of secondary staffing.

5. Leads the coordination of the athletic departments at each secondary school.

6. Coordinates the master schedule for all secondary schools.

7. Ensures the quality and alignment of secondary curricular and extracurricular programming.

8. Focuses the work of all secondary-level personnel on ensuring that all students graduate college and career ready, with an emphasis on equity for traditionally underserved student groups.

9. Personally mentors secondary principals and facilitates professional development for secondary staff.

10. Promotes the systemic implementation of progressive educational practices for secondary education.

11. Leads secondary principals in goal setting and evaluation of secondary programs, using onsite visits and multi-point data as the bases for decisions aimed at raising student achievement and growth.

12. Lead the district’s Career Education program-related outreach to partners in the community, in business, and in higher education, with a goal of facilitating students’ successful transition into post-secondary institutions and careers.

13. Provides vision, direction, management and oversight for all aspects of the secondary program, including goals; budgets; curriculum; student assessment; program evaluation; data collection and analysis; school improvement plans; and compliance.

14. Provides direction and oversight for alternative education programs.

15. Provides direction and oversight for the district’s summer school program.

16. Responsible for creating and implementing the district’s cyber diploma program in collaboration with the Director of Technology and Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment.

Professional Development

1. Supports administrators, supervisors, curriculum leaders, and staff in the planning and evaluation of professional development. Makes all recommendations to the superintendent for changes in professional development and the assessment of professional development. 

2. Monitors professional development with district administrators to ensure that all professional development activities meet the criteria standards as outlined by Act 48, the Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership guidelines, the National Staff Development Councils’ Standards for Professional Development, Pennsylvania Academic Standards and is research-based.

3. Confers with Instructional Cabinet, Supervisors, Curriculum Leaders, and principals to monitor student assessment data to help identify areas of need for future professional development.

4. Helps to plan and schedule sessions for in-service days with curriculum leaders, supervisors, and principals.

5. Reviews the professional development evaluation forms and develops reports based on staff feedback from the evaluation database.

6. Attends meetings to support focused professional development and facilitates learning communities to align with district and school goals.

7. Participates in state and nation-wide opportunities to continue personal professional development.

8. Maintains an awareness of trends; anticipates and researches current topics of interest to a wide range of educators. 

Pursuant to 1073.1(b.1) of Pennsylvania’s Public School Code of 1949, the Board of Directors is required to post the mutually agreed upon objective performance standards contained in the assistant superintendent’s contract on the district’s publicly accessible website. Upon completion of the annual performance assessment, the Board of Directors is required to post the date of the assessment and whether the district assistant superintendent has met the objective performance standards.

The West Chester Area Board of School Directors rated the performance to date of Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Dr. James Conley as distinguished. 

7/15/2025 Date

Karen R. Fleming