Director - Special Education

Under the direction of the Superintendent or designee, plans, organizes, evaluates, and otherwise directs the Psychological Services and Special Education programs of the District.  Assists in the development and implementation of District policies and implementation of state and federal laws and regulations governing Special Education.

ADMINISTRATIVE RELATIONSHIPS:

Directly responsible to the Superintendent.  The Director shall have responsibility for directing, supervising, and evaluating all personnel in the Psychological Services Department and shares responsibilities with principals for directing, supervising, and evaluating site-level Special Education personnel.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

A.  Special Education

• Provides leadership for all District Special Education programs through long-range and short-range plans in alignment with the district’s goals, clearly defined policy, plans, and procedures
• Establish and communicate a division-wide philosophy of least restrictive environment for serving special needs students
• In collaboration with the site principal, monitors and evaluates Special Education personnel regarding their effectiveness according to District policies and state and federal laws and regulations
• Meets regularly with Special Education personnel and provides leadership for the planning, development, coordination, and implementation of the District’s Special Education program
• Oversee the Extended School Year Program (ESY)
• Provides leadership for meeting the needs of atypical students who are intellectually, physically, or emotionally exceptional
• Administers the placement and evaluation of students in special programs, including parent consultation, health and developmental information, and psychological evaluation
• Serves as a District resource for questions and concerns regarding District Special Education programs and cooperatively works with all departments in the district
• Establishes and maintains a collaborative relationship with the Director of Student Services to coordinate services provided through the Student Services Department to special needs students Serves as the direct liaison and prepares reports for local and state agencies in the areas of special education and prepares special education information for a variety of stakeholders, including the school board
• Keeps abreast of legislation pertaining to Special Education programs and implements necessary changes in the programs and procedures to ensure legal compliance
• Oversee and direct the allocation and placement of special education staff to schools in collaboration with the Human Resources Division Provides leadership in developing the understanding of Special Education policy, programs, and services among all District staff members
• Plans and implements staff development for Special Education teachers, aides, administrators, and parents
• Develops, implements, monitors, and is accountable for Annual Special Education program budget(s) and grants
• Coordinates ADA accounting for District Special Education students and develops appropriate cost analysis and income/expense projections
• Monitor student achievement
• Evaluate program effectiveness
• Establishes and maintains an accurate database and filing system for student and program records , Plans, recommends, and supervises the utilization of Special Education facilities

B.  Psychological Services

• Establishes, maintains, communicates, and directs areas of duties and responsibilities for all Psychological Services personnel
• Assists in the selection of and provides direct supervision/evaluation of Psychological Services personnel
• Coordinates the administration and interpretation of group and individual assignments
• Provides consultative and advisory services to help principals, teachers, and parents meet individual/group student needs
• Promotes and provides staff development in such areas as child development, behavior modification, student discipline, and guidance techniques for teachers, administrators, or others
• Develops and administers policies and procedures for the assessment and placement of exceptional students
• Prepares and disseminates instructional/informational reports/bulletins describing the purposes of psychological services, functions, and requirements; defines the procedures to be followed by school district personnel

C.  Other Performs additional duties as assigned by the Superintendent or designee.