1.0 FTE Team Chairperson

SUMMARY:  The Team Chairperson ensures communication among the schools and Central Office, to promote consistent practices district-wide. Team Chairpersons will be assigned to one or more schools. Duties include leading the eligibility process, ensuring adherence to mandated timelines, and completing required paperwork. Chairpersons will facilitate meetings at the building level and attend meetings at the district level. Building level department meetings will take place every other week and be led by the Team Chairperson.  These department meeting are to provide leadership and guidance for the staff around all matters related to special education, such as to communicate best practices and department protocols, share professional learning information, consult on cases, schedule meetings, coordinate services, and plan evaluations. Quality communication amongst and between building-based staff and the district administration will enable us to address student and family issues in a consistent and timely manner. Team Chairpersons will meet as a group with the Director of Student Services to share information from schools and discuss topics of importance: such as legal issues, consistency in practices and decision-making, staffing needs, coordination of services district-wide, amongst other important topics.  Individual meetings will also occur.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  The essential functions or duties listed below are illustrations of the type of work that is performed and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for by this position. Other duties may be assigned.

• Oversees the process of Special Education referral, evaluation and program planning for students in assigned schools; the district spans Preschool through Grade 12 .
• Acts as Chairperson for all Initial and Re-Evaluation Eligibility Team Meetings, as well as other meetings, at the discretion of the Team Chairperson or the Director of Student Services.

• Coordinates scheduling of Team Meetings among the staff members. If an evaluation is being completed, the Chairperson assures that it is completed within the required timelines.
• Facilitates discussion of student performance, evaluation results, and helps synthesize and clarify student learning needs, and compiles a final document (team meeting summary and official notes) immediately following the meetings noting essential points.
• In the case of disagreement among any Team Members, the Chairperson makes the final determination regarding contents of the Individualized Educational Program (IEP) and placement.
• Leads a special education staff meeting on a regular basis and meets with individual the Special Education staff as needed to ensure appropriate implementation of IEPs and problem solve instructional or other challenges.
• Actively monitors the performance of students towards meeting IEP goals and curriculum expectations.
• Actively monitors and oversees the annual review and re-evaluation process students whose placements are in out of district programs, as assigned by the Director of Student Services; communicates regularly with the director regarding progress and any concerns to ensure financial resources are appropriately allocated.
• Has the authority to commit resources of School District during Team Meetings.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: The Team Chairperson will formally evaluate select special education employees, as determined with the principal(s) and Director of Student Services, and may also be asked to provide feedback regarding other employees to school and district administration that can be incorporated into employee evaluation. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. The Superintendent may waive or modify the qualification requirements.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals
• Ability to use reasoning ability to evaluate information and determine/recommend an appropriate course of action.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
• Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in the educational field
• Ability to use professional literature, evidence-based research, and continuing education content to make practice decisions
•  Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in oral and written form
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups including staff, parents and the general public
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with district level administrators, principals, staff and community members
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks and manage several projects simultaneously
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies

• Understand confidentiality requirements regarding student records

• Ability/willingness to plan, coordinate, conduct and participate in ongoing professional and staff development

• Ability to operate a computer and related software including but not limited to special education database software, Microsoft Office Suite and Google platform
• Perform under stress, deal with persons acting under stress and displaying emotional distress and adapt when confronted with emergency situations

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Master’s Degree in Special Education.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Valid MA DESE Special Education Administrator license

• The employee must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and possess own car to travel to school buildings during the workday as well as to meetings out-of-district.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The employee must also often remain in a stationary position for considerable periods of time. The employee may be required to occasionally traverse throughout the school building. The employee must frequently use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and use hand strength to grasp tools. Frequently operates a computer and other office productivity machinery (i.e., a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer). The employee must be able to input information into a computer and as well as read material from a computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter with or without visual aids. The employee must be able to communicate effectively with students, parents, and other staff members in person and on the telephone. The employee must be able to see and hear on a continuous basis in order to ensure the safety of students as well as observe and provide feedback to instructional personnel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The noise level in this environment is quiet to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day and location. The employee interacts with students, parents, and other staff members and occasionally must meet multiple demands from several people.

The physical demands and 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. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.