Special Education Director

TITLE: DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATIONQUALIFICATIONS: 1.
A Master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in special educationor related area.
2.
A valid Massachusetts Certification as a teacher, special needs educator, andadministrator of special education.
3.
A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in special education, schoolpsychology or related field.
4.
A proven ability to relate to a variety of constituencies, including but not limited to,administrators, parents, teachers, other human service agencies, and school committeemembers.
5.
Must possess a sense of humor.
6.
Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the School Department may findappropriate and acceptable.
REPORTS TO: Superintendent or his designeeSUPERVISES: Coordinates and directs the activities of the Assistant Director of Special Education, specialeducation teachers, speech and language therapists, occupational and physical therapists,adaptive physical education teachers, special education department heads, schoolpsychologists, special needs aides, office support staff, and others as required.
JOB GOAL: To provide a quality special needs program for all identified special needs students byfacilitating the efforts of all staff, supervising all programs, and working cooperatively withparents and community human service providers.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES (include but are not limited to): 1.
Arranges for providing appropriate services for all special needs children in accordancewith individualized educational plans; and designs, implements, evaluates and maintains aprogram of special education services in the district.
2.
Coordinates use of resources to external service agencies and state agencies in providingfor special education programs.
3.
Develops procedures to identify, refer, evaluate and place all special education students.
As part of those procedures the Director coordinates, facilitates and evaluates the entireIEP development, implementation and placement process with emphasis on determiningthe organization of TEAMS and their composition.
4.
Designs diagnostic and screen (pre-referral) systems for referral of children with specialneeds and assists in the coordination of preschool and kindergarten screening programsas prescribed under IDEA.
5.
Represents the school district in relation to the Department of Education, as well as otherappropriate state agencies, regarding special education matters.
6.
Develops and monitors the special education budget.
7.
Keeps abreast of current research and professional literature and meets with otherprofessionals to exchange information about new practices.
8.
Collects program evaluation data and reviews their implications for changes in the specialeducation program.
9.
Develops special education policies, programs and procedures for recommendation to theSuperintendent and School Committee.
10.
Works with the special needs parents advisory council as a liaison.
11.
Recruits and assists in the selection and orientation of a well-qualified staff and, as part ofthat process, assists in forecasting staffing needs and the allocation of staff to positionvacancies.
12.
Designs, implements and evaluates a comprehensive inservice training and developmentprogram for staff.
13.
Supervises and evaluates special education and related services staff as directed by theSuperintendent or his designee.
14.
Meets with various administrative and curriculum committees to describe and advocate forthe special education programs while assisting principals in the coordination of activities ofthe special education program with those of the general education program.
15.
Consults with other administrative staff on school operations, facilities use, budgetdevelopment, and other general district procedures.
16.
Plans and coordinates transportation and tutoring services for special education children.
17.
Publishes newsletters, brochures, guides and other communications that describe thespecial education programs.
18.
Prepares reports and plans in accordance with local policy, state and federal mandates.
19.
Maintains a current register of all special needs children as mandated by IDEA and insuresthat current records are kept of all information regarding evaluations, as required.
20.
Assists in monitoring proper implementation of all regulations as defined by IDEA, PL 94-142, Chapter I: 89-313, PL 99-457, and other state or federal mandates relating to specialeducation.
21.
Assists and participates in Bureau of Special Education appeals, mediations and hearings.
22.
Serves as a resource person and consultant to the systems and community on all mattersrelated to SPED.
23.
Is responsible for the procurement and proper allocation of all funds related to theeducation of special education students including grants, local funds and any other fundingthat may become available for special education students and/or staff.
24.
Performs such other related tasks and assumes such other related responsibilities as mayfrom time to time be assigned by the Superintendent or his designee.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work beingperformed by employees assigned to this classification.
They are not intended to be construedas an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of those in this classification.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 12 Month Work YearEVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated annually inaccordance with the School Committee's policy on theevaluation of administrative personnel.
SALARY: Per Administrative Contract.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER