Title:
Director of Student Services
DBM Classification:
E82/Grade 25
Department:
Student Services
Salary Range:
$123,260 - $184,748
Employee Group:
Administrative
Prepared Date:
March, 2024
Reports to:
Assistant Superintendent
FTE/ FLSA Status:
1.00-12-Months- Exempt
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
As a member of the Superintendent's leadership team, the Director of Student Services proactively creates and communicates anti-racist structures and systems, works to interrupt systems of oppression, and serves as a role model for culturally relevant pedagogy. They are unwaveringly committed to anti-racist actions and use data to adapt and sustain their efforts towards racial equity and continuous improvement of programs. Directs the development and implementation of all Special Education programs; provides for the supervision and staff development of staff; develops and monitors budget; develops policies, procedures, and processes to evaluate programs and staff; ensures compliance with all relevant laws and rules; and performs other duties as assigned.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develops and directs all Special Education programs, policies, and procedures consistent with the School District's mission, core values, policy, and state and federal law and rule, placing students at the center of their work. They actively engage with families and the community to create an inclusive and supportive educational environment.
- Supporting the Superintendent, as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, in coordinating action to achieve the mission.
- Directs the recording, collection, maintenance, and dissemination of data, e.g., evaluation, continuous program improvement, student identification, educational progress, discipline, and due process compliance related to students with disabilities. Unwaveringly committed to anti-racist actions and use data to adapt and sustain their efforts towards racial equity and inclusive practices for students receiving special education services.
- Accountable for the overall effectiveness of the Special Education programs and services.
- Prepares and presents reports to the School Board, Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Parent Advisory Committees, and others concerning the strengths, needs, and proposed changes within the Special Education programs.
- Resolves conflicts or disputes by directing the investigation of complaints or allegations; represents the district in conciliation, mediation, arbitration, and/or due process hearings.
- Participates in legislation and rulemaking at state and federal level to ensure that the District has representation regarding the impact of proposed laws and rules in the area of Special Education.
- Works collaboratively with private and public agencies to assure appropriate community services, to prevent duplication of efforts between agencies, and to facilitate successful interventions for children and families.
- Recommends appropriate staffing allocations, in compliance with budget, current law or rule and effectively makes annual staffing recommendations to the Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent.
- Collaborates with building Principals, Program Supervisors and Special Education Consultants in the selection and evaluation of Special Education staff.
- Develops and monitors Special Education budget; establishes and implements systems to monitor revenue sources and expenditures.
- Directs staff development efforts appropriate to the needs of Special Education staff as well as collaborating on professional development for regular education staff and administrative staff as it relates to Special Education Services. Prepares appropriate information about Special Education Services for parents.
- Develops and maintains and effective communication system between Special Education staff, supervisory staff, regular education staff, building Principals, other agency staff, parents, and members of the community.
- Chairs or otherwise participates in appropriate District -wide committees for the purpose of ensuring collaboration in implementation of District -wide goals regarding curriculum and instruction for all students.
- Directs the policies and procedures related to the collection, retention and dissemination of Special Education data, and oversees the completion of all state and federal reports as required by District, state of federal government.
- Assists in the development and updates of School Board policies related to Special Education and Student Services
- Collaborates on the development and revision of Board policies pertaining to special education and student services.
- Collaborates with Principals on issues for students receiving Special Education and 504 services.
- Supervise provision of District services to Non-Public Schools within District boundaries.
- Reviews and signs all out-of-District student tuition agreements
- Serves as the District Homeless Liaison.
- Authorize Provision of Homebound Services to eligible students.
- Coordinates support for students and staff in times of emergencies (nurses, counselors, social workers and other Student Service responders).
- Performs other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Racially conscious and committed to equity work. Possesses a clear personal commitment to advancing racial equity and racial consciousness. They prioritize their own racial equity journey and set clear expectations for themselves and others in their pursuit of racial equity goals. They are skilled in using racial equity tools to achieve these objectives.
- State and Federal laws and regulatory issues governing SE Programs in public education, including rules and regulations of the Minnesota Department of Education and other governing agencies.
- Federal and state laws and standards required for SE students' Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).
- Principles and practices of public sector administrative management, including finance, budgeting, purchasing, contract and grant management, customer service and employee supervision.
- Techniques and practices for efficient and cost-effective management of resources.
- Local community resources, regional community services programs, and regional training programs.
- Directing and coordinating a wide variety of programs and operational issues. Proactively seeks to create and communicate anti-racist structures and systems, work to interrupt systems of oppression.
- Interpreting, and applying state and Federal statutes, codes, rules, and regulations.
- Reviewing operations and assuring compliance with SE laws, regulations, and rules.
- Assessing, analyzing, and identifying problems, and recommending effective solutions.
- Using effective conflict resolution, crisis intervention and mediation techniques.
- Researching, collecting, analyzing, and preparing data and generating reports to further program goals and uses data to adapt and sustain their efforts towards racial equity and student supports.
- Managing staff, delegating tasks and authority, and evaluating staff performance.
- Utilizing diverse communication methods and languages to effectively reach a broad range of audiences. They actively listen for both spoken and unspoken racial concerns, seek multiple racial perspectives, examine the presence and role of "Whiteness" in systems and structures, and are open to feedback regarding their own racial blind spots. Fosters joy and cultivates a culture of accountability for systemic racial equity transformation.
- Providing effective customer service, and dealing tactfully and courteously with the public.
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers, clients, advocates and representatives from community groups and government agencies.
- Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Directly supervises all Special Education staff, and directly or through subordinate administrators, supervises Special Education Program Supervisors, Evaluation Teams, Consultants, Teaching and Learning Specialists, Homeless Liaison and support staff.
- Directly Supervise the Health Services Department - Licensed School Nurses and Health Para's.
- Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel; talk; and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
- Experience as a Special Education administrator, supervisor, curriculum advisor or due process compliance officer desired.
- Requires a minimum of three years' experience supervising or coordinating special education programming.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
- Requires current Minnesota Director of Special Education Licensure.
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