FRAMINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DEPARTMENT OF FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS

 

TITLE:

Fine and Performing Arts Director

 

POSITION SUMMARY: 

To perform effective supervision and administration of the Fine and Performing Arts program in order to deliver Framingham Public Schools’ high expectations for achievement, equal access to high levels of instruction, the achievement of academic proficiency for all students, in Dance, Theater, Music and Visual Arts. Improve student achievement and learning by providing coordination and leadership to staff in classroom planning and practices in fine and performing arts curriculum and assessment.

 

OUR MISSION:  

Framingham Public Schools is committed to excellence for all students. A core value, Framingham Public Schools is committed to excellence for all students. Our mission statement guides our work: Through a comprehensive education, we aim to create and empower free-thinking, responsible citizens who can participate equally in our rich and diverse community. FPS and the community stand united in our core values: Providing a safe, inclusive, culturally responsive teaching and learning environment; Engaging antiracist and responsible civic advocates; Respecting diversity of thought, learners, cultures, and community; Fostering learning and healthy growth of all students and staff; Ensuring every school will be an active, participatory, equitable community.

 

Diversity among teachers undoubtedly advances the academic achievement of students. Compliance obligations establish a baseline which we seek to exceed. As a district, Framingham Public Schools is committed to achieving, developing, and maintaining a workforce reflective of the rich racial, linguistic, and cultural diversity of our students. Framingham Public Schools aims to teach our children, and ourselves, to be culturally proficient and inclusive in order to live, learn, and work together in a vibrant and diverse world.  

 

Indeed, Framingham Public Schools is committed to inspiring our school community to be accepting and willing to learn from individuals with differing backgrounds. Our goal is to reflect the diverse community we serve and create a great place to work for everyone by embracing the individual skills, perspectives, and experiences our people bring to the workplace and harnessing these for high performance and improved service delivery. We want our employees to feel included, valued, and respected and have access to equal opportunity, which supports full participation at work. Framingham Public Schools seeks to retain the diverse talent in our workforce and support our people to maintain a long and productive working career.

 

Framingham Public Schools is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from persons with disabilities and who identify as members of historically underrepresented groups.

 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Current and valid MA DESE license in Art, Music, Theater, etc. AND an Administrative license.

 

SKILLS AND ABILITY:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

A demonstrated vision of a competitive and highly effective instrumental, choral, and string program.  Deep knowledge of the Massachusetts Arts Curriculum Framework. Content and pedagogical knowledge of all Fine and Performing Arts. Experience differentiating Fine and Performing Arts instruction.  Experience building a strong “feeder program” in all arts disciplines, particularly in music (band, orchestra, chorus). Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with Performing Arts teachers. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with school and district administrators. Experience providing professional development to teachers.  Experience communicating with parents/guardians about how children can participate and succeed in a high-quality Fine and Performing Arts program. Experience with a variety of performance-based assessments and effective use of student data to improve instruction.

 

Thorough knowledge of the practices, methods, and techniques used in the administration and supervision of fine and performing arts program(s); has knowledge of local policies, state and federal laws relating to minors; excellent skill in oral and written communications; ability to motivate others to reach their fullest potential; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school officials, parents, students, teachers, support staff and associates.  Flexibility will be essential. Ability to work effectively with a diverse student population. Bilingual (Portuguese and/or Spanish) skills preferred. Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional and technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of staff, parents and the general public. Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in a specific field. Demonstrates awareness of all district requirements and policies. Ability to use a personal computer and related software. Knowledge of child growth and development and how it affects learning. Experience in teaching and learning processes. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with others in a group or team environment.

 

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Three (3) years teaching in the fine/performing arts subject(s). Prior success in supervisory, administrative or management position(s) strongly preferred. Demonstrated knowledge of arts, music, and/or theater. Experience working with diverse populations. Prefer candidates who are bilingual or trilingual. Strong verbal and written communication skills.

 

Framingham Public Schools seeks candidates whose background, teaching, or service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of education. Also, we are interested in candidates who will bring to their professional practice the perspective that comes from a non-traditional educational background or an understanding of the experiences of those underrepresented in the educational field.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

 

• Work with classroom teachers to improve teaching and learning, through classroom demonstrations, co-teaching, lesson study and mentoring. 
• Engage teachers through analysis of data from a variety of sources to improve instruction in Fine and Performing Arts.
• Assist teachers as they evaluate students’ strengths and weaknesses and identify appropriate classroom protocols, strategies, and techniques.
• Assist in the development of the district/school professional development programs, including delivering and facilitating Fine and Performing Arts workshops and programs as well as job-embedded activities. 
• Assist principals in the supervision and evaluation of teachers of Fine and Performing Arts.
• Assist in coordinating and ordering materials for teacher and student use.
• Work collaboratively and participate in district-wide discussions with the Senior-level District Leaders.
• Participate in the review and revision of the district’s Fine and Performing Arts curriculum.
• Assist Principals in scheduling of Fine and Performing Arts teachers and respective traveling staff to make the best use of these professionals.
• Assist in hiring of PreK-12 Arts curricular and extracurricular staff.
• Coordinate extra-curricular theater programs at the three middle schools to insure equity and quality.
• Support and schedule instrumental fairs for in-school programs and develop protocol for after school lesson programs.
• Work with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to keep the district informed of new state mandates and initiatives as they relate to the arts.
• Develop community arts partnerships and increased performance opportunities across the district that involve both students and staff.
• Provide budget oversight for department(s) and programs.
• Monitor the quality and implementation of all fine arts programs and recommend adjustments as needed.
• Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of district assessments for Fine and Performing Arts programs.
• Identify, analyze and apply research and best practices that support Fine and Performing Arts instructional programs at all grade levels.
• Develop, maintain and use information systems and data necessary to show progress on performance objectives and long-range program goals.
• Ensure strong collaboration and support to core instruction, coordinating with all departments to ensure student growth
• Diagnose instructional needs and recommend instructional programs and materials to address identified needs. 
• Align content processes and product outcomes for K-12 Fine and Performing Arts curriculum and instruction programs with state standards. 
• Design and implement a long-range strategic plan for effective fine and performing arts programs.
• Perform additional responsibilities as deemed appropriate by school and district supervisors.

 

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

• Must be required to move about and may be required to traverse occasionally throughout the school building;
• Must often remain in a stationary position for considerable periods of time;
• Is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; 
• Is expected to lift at least 20 lbs (i.e. books, school supplies, etc.);
• Must frequently use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and use hand strength to grasp tools; 
• Must be able to assist students who have physical difficulties;
• Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery (i.e., a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer);
• Must be able to input information into a computer and as well as read material from a computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter with or without visual aids;
• Must be able to communicate effectively with students, parents, and other staff members in person, via email, and on the telephone;
• In the classroom, must be able to see and hear on a continuous basis in order to ensure the safety of students as well as speak frequently to provide instruction;
• Must be able to assist students who have physical difficulties;
• May be required to move quickly across even or uneven surfaces;
• Working in a normal school environment with an acceptable level of noise;
• Must interact with students, parents, and other staff members;
• Must be able to kneel, sit, stand, crawl, push, and pull to assist and teach children throughout the day;
• Is directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and work output of students;
• Must be able to interact with students, parents, and other staff members and occasionally must meet multiple demands from several people;
• While the majority of the workday is spent inside, must spend time outdoors for recess, fire drills, and special activities;  
• May be exposed to bodily fluids, disease, or pathogens; 
• May receive unintentional injuries from aggressive students; and
• May be required some degree of physical interaction with students who have difficulty controlling physical behavior.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include peripheral vision and close vision such as reading typewritten material. 
• The work typically requires occasional in-district travel to attend meetings.
• Attending evening and weekend events is required.

REPORTS TO:

Superintendent of Schools or their designee(s)

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fine and Performing Arts Staff

 

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA) CLASSIFICATION:

This position is classified as Exempt (Professional).

 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Per the FAA collective bargaining agreement. The District reserves the right to transfer all personnel among buildings on an as-needed basis to serve the best interests of all students.

 

Covered under the Framingham Teachers Association (Unit A) Contract. Please note that the District reserves the right to transfer all personnel among buildings on an as-needed basis to serve the best interests of all students as long as this does not conflict with the Framingham Teachers Association (Unit A) Contract.

 

Framingham Public Schools provides equal employment. opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Framingham Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the District has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Framingham Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, ancestry, marital status, or veteran status.

 

Revised 2024