Director of Student Services

JOB GOALS: The Director of Student Services is responsible for the administration and supervision of all aspects of the Student Services and Special Education Department in keeping with the regulatory language of IDEA, and Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, in in addition to coordinating other student services. COMPENSATION: As per contract REPORTS TO: Superintendent and/or Assistant Superintendent WORK YEAR: Twelve-month work year EVALUATION: Performance is evaluated annually by the Superintendent and/or Assistant Superintendent in accordance with Department of Education regulations of administrative personnel and district policies. PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES: A. ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP 1. Functions as a contributing leader in the Central Office Team to advocate for high expectations for all students through a myriad of effective programs, services and curriculum that maximize student potential in a cost-effective manner. 2. Provides the Superintendent and Director of Finance with regular updates on the changing variables in the budget. 3. Works with the Director of Finance to obtain and track funding/reimbursement for special services; responsible for the fiscal management of all designated funds related to student services. 4. Recommends policies and programs essential to the needs of students with disabilities. 5. Keeps accurate and detailed student records and related information relative to student files as mandated by the regulations. 6. Works with the Leadership Team regarding state assessment requirements for special education students. 7. Maintains an ongoing dialogue with school administrators, teachers, and related personnel regarding students and program services. 8. Prepares and submits all state reports in a timely manner as mandated by RIDE. 9. Seeks, applies for, and administers state and federal grants. 10. Prepares and submits federal and state Special Education grants that reflect district needs and goals. 11. Responsible for the completion of other professional tasks as may be assigned by the Superintendent and/or Assistant Superintendent. B. CURRICULUM IMPROVEMENT PROCESS 1. Develops in-district programming to provide appropriate services for students in the least restrictive program to meet the needs of as many children as appropriate within the public school system. 2. Works with the Assistant Superintendent to develop and coordinate the PreK-12 Response to Intervention (RtI) Program and MTSS. 3. Develops best practices for the provision of seamless services on a proactive basis. 4. Provides direction for staff to align the Special Education curriculum with the general education curriculum and the Rhode Island Basic Education Plan (BEP). 5. Develops and directs Nursing Services consistent with state mandates and School Committee policy. C. SUPERVISORY LEADERSHIP 1. Supervises all district personnel assigned to Director of Student Services: Special Education, Preschool Programs, Nursing Services, Medicaid, and Home/Hospital Tutoring. 2. Supervises, coordinates, and evaluates programs to support the system’s vision and provide clear direction and establish consistent procedural practices for all pupil support service units. 3. Supervises and coordinates instruction for home-bound or hospitalized students. 4. Supervises the team evaluation process from the initial referral through findings of eligibility. Provides direction and assistance to all special education personnel in the execution of this process. D. STAFF DEVELOPMENT, PROFESSIONAL GROWTH, AND IMPROVEMENT 1. Works with the Assistant Superintendent to define, plan, and direct staff development activities. 2. Provides and coordinates in-service training as required to maintain district compliance with federal, state, and district regulatory processes, procedures, and policies. E. EVALUATION RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Working with administrators, supports the evaluation of all special education professional and non-professional status personnel in accordance with the established district evaluation procedures. 2. In cooperation with building principals, assists each building with the evaluative process and building responsibilities relating to compliance with required mandates and timelines. F. COMMUNITY RELATIONS 1. Cooperates with all parent and community groups and works closely with the Special Education Local Advisory Committee (SELAC). 2. Responds directly to parents, advocates, or legal counsel on disputed matters which require resolution outside of building-based operations. 3. Acts as a representative designee for the school system to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) in matters relating to the regulatory process of the federal and state mandates for Special Education. 4. Works with advocates, early intervention programs, and human service agencies to provide smooth and orderly transitions into programs upon age 22 and out of Early Intervention Programs into the public schools upon age three. G. MANAGEMENT LEADERSHIP 1.Directs decisions for placement of students requiring tuition programs and monitor the successes of these placements consistent with special education laws and fiscal responsibility. 2.Coordinates a comprehensive Special Education program to prepare all students to successfully take state assessments and perform at the highest possible level. 3.Develops, defends, administers, and monitors the Special Education/Student Services budget using the current RIDE funding criteria for all student programs. 4.Coordinates, as required by statute, all educational mandates provided in the state and federal regulations relative to the referral, diagnosis, programming, review, and reevaluation of students identified as having special and/or 504 needs. 5.Coordinates Early Childhood Outreach programs to identify preschool children in need of Special Education or related services. 6.Prepares and implements summer school support services to prevent substantial regression for students who are identified through the team evaluation process. 7.Establishes procedures and monitors process for collection of revenue through Medicaid reimbursement and Tuition Revolving Account. 8.Analyzes and reports on the status of budgets within all departmental units; implements and monitors a system for controlling expenses.