Executive Director of Student Services (July 2025)

Position Title:  Executive Director of Student Services
 
Immediate Supervisor:   Superintendent
 
Summary:   Responsible for the leadership, administration and operations of District student support services including Special Education, At Risk, English Language Learners, Counseling and Health Services with a focus on student learning. 
 
Leadership:

1. Manage a full continuum of educational program and service options to meet individual student needs, ensuring appropriate programming with the philosophy of least restrictive environment for students requiring special education.
2. Develop, implement and oversee goals and recommendations in direct alignment with District strategic plan.
3. Carry out recommendations from the District improvement plan for special education and student support services programming.
4. Supervise and monitor all student support services programming including the creation and dissemination of District products and materials.
5. Facilitate research and implementation of best practices for student success, review updates on procedures.
6. Serve as the District liaison for all matters involving student support services, including interaction with the School Board, Superintendent, all departments and Administrators, as well as community organizations and agencies.
7. Oversee extended school year programming.
8. Ensure best practices in curriculum, instruction and assessment.
9. Coordinate and prepare reports / presentations and information for the Board of Education as directed.
10. Collaborate with administrators and central office staff regarding student discipline issues in the areas of student support services.
11. Direct the District special education Parent Advisory Committee and the Health and Human Development committee.
12. Supervise and evaluate direct reports, including Special Education Instructional Coaches and ELL Associates.
13. Facilitate and participate in student services dispute resolution including due process, mediation and working with the Department of Education and/or the Office of Civil Rights.
14. Provide regular communication with special education teachers and associates.
15. Direct and coordinate special education site reviews.
16. Review contracts with various agencies.
17. Ensure SDI accommodation and modifications are implemented.
18. Oversee state and federal compliance of special education programs including providing accurate and timely data.
19. Maintain data and create reports as needed for a variety of state, federal or District programs, including IDEA Part B Application, At-Risk/Drop Out Prevention, District Developed Service Delivery Plan, CPlan (specific parts) and Lau Plan.
20. Determine IEP rosters, monitor IEP completion and compliance, attend selected IEP meetings.
21. District 504 coordinator.
22. Maintain current rosters and ensure effective allocation of student support services staff to ensure all student needs are met.
23. Coordinate projections for student enrollment in special education.
24. Develop, monitor and maintain budget for At Risk/Drop Out Prevention and ELL/Title III programs.
25. Develop, monitor and maintain special education budget:
    1. Educational and Learning Materials
    2. Transportation
    3. Contracts
    4. Community support services
    5. Medicaid reimbursement
26. Approve purchases.
27. Oversee and resolve staffing issues.
28. Coordinate assessment procedures for special education alternative assessment.
29. Conduct monthly meetings with school counselors, align Tier 1, 2 and 3 and MTSS procedures across the District.
30. Provide for and maintain legal background on students, staff, and programming with regard to services for students with special needs.
31. Develop and maintain compliance with Board of Education Policies as they relate to student services.
32. Plan with district leaders and provide for the delivery of inservice training for student support services staff.
33. Plan with district leaders to design and execute a staff development program for new and veteran special education staff.
34. Plan with district leaders to include staff development for all staff that appropriately addresses the learning, social, emotional and behavioral needs of all students.
35. Assist principals in interviewing candidates for special education assignments to determine competency and proficiency for the position.
36. Assist Executive Director of Human Resources in the certification of special education teachers.
37. Monitor select programs and information, including Tuition In/Out, Medicaid, Assistive Technology requests, Student Achievement for Departments and Bullying/Harassment data.
38. Oversee Student Assistance Team, PBIS, Character Strong, Adaptive P.E. and Special Ed Count day.
39. Determine program changes/transitions and school building transitions.
40. Coordinate AEA services with the Regional Facilitators.
41. Cooperate with community organizations who have content specific concerns or interests.
42. Participate in state, regional, national committees, bringing back information germane to the services provided students, staff, and administrators.
43. Participate in out of District meetings for Special Education students.
44. Serve as Liaison to parents in resolving concerns.
45. Monitor suspensions and Manifestation Determinations.
46. Follow policies, procedures, standards and rules in accordance with national and state laws, the Iowa Department of Education and Linn-Mar School District, which includes, but is not limited to, developing and maintaining proper and adequate records and documentation.
47. Handle information in a confidential manner in accordance with established policies and legal requirements.
48. Demonstrate advanced level of technology use for data management and student performance analysis.
49. Perform other duties as assigned.
50. Regular and reliable attendance.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervise and evaluate Associate Director of Student Services, Director of Early Childhood, Autism Consultant, Behavior Consultant, Student Support Program Consultant, Student Assistance Specialists, Family Resources Specialist, and Administrative Assistant,.
 
Minimum Education or Experience:

• MA in School Administration/Leadership with an emphasis in Special Education; or MA in Special Education with an emphasis in Administration.
• Successful experience as an Administrator, including responsibility for Special Education.
• Previous experience with Special Education Leadership.

 
Licensure or Certification:
 
Must hold appropriate license for position, including Iowa Evaluator Approval.
 
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:   (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed here 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.)
 

1. Ability to communicate effectively and maintain effective working relationships.
2. Strong organizational skills.
3. Extensive knowledge and experience in the area of Special Education, including thorough knowledge of IDEA and related issues, school improvement, curriculum, instruction and assessment development and implementation.
4. Ability to function effectively as a team member and work collaboratively with others and independently as appropriate.
5. Model, implement and assess strategies related to learning, social, emotional and behavioral needs to enhance educational programming for all learners.
6. Ability to integrate educational theory, research and expertise into appropriate practices for local contexts, in a service style that facilitates positive change and continuous improvement.
7. Ability to organize, analyze, and report data as a basis for sound decision making.
8. Handle confidential information discretely and professionally.
9. Ability to use discretion and exercise sound judgment.

 
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 position, the employee may be required to sit for extended periods of time, walk, stand, talk, speak, and hear.  Manual dexterity as required for using telephone, calculator, computer keyboard.  May be required to lift or move up to 20 lbs.  Position does require early morning and evening work.  The employee is required to have a pre-employment physical exam.
 
Work Environment:   (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.)
 
Environment is air-conditioned, drug-free, asbestos-free.  Noise level is quiet to loud in a busy office setting.