Director of Special Programs

***Granbury ISD requires references from former employers, college professors, supervisors, etc. with at least a minimum of two references being from previous supervisors.  Granbury ISD will not accept references from friends or family members.***

CONTRACT DAYS: 226

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

Direct the district's special education program to ensure provision of needed services for special needs students.  Work to provide individualized education plans to meet the needs of all students and ensure compliance with all state, federal and local requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Certifications:

Master's Degree

Texas midmanagement or other appropriate Texas Certificate

Valid Texas teaching certificate with special education endorsement preferred

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Understanding of the individual needs of special needs students

Ability to communicate with all levels of special needs students and their parents

Ability to interpret policy, procedures and data

Ability to manage budget and personnel

Ability to coordinate district function

Strong organizational, communications and interpersonal skills

Experience:

Five years teaching experience in special education preferred

Three years special education administrative or supervisory experience preferred.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Instructional and Program Management

1. Systematically monitor the effectiveness of the special education programs and services to meet students' needs.
2. Ensure that the student progress is evaluated on a systematic basis, and that the findings are used to make special education program more effective.
3. Ensure that staff implements school improvement efforts that are consistent with federal and state law.
4. Encourage and support the development of innovative instructional programs, helping teachers to pilot such efforts when appropriate.
5. Plan necessary time, resources and materials to support accomplishment of educational goals.
6. Encourage and support the development and implementation of effective instructional programs to achieve identified needs.
7. Supervise and monitor the admission, review and dismissal (ARD) process districtwide.
8. Effectively involve support staff in evaluation, selecting or developing instructional materials to meet student learning needs.
9. Involve staff developing, maintaining and revising policies and procedures based on systematic review and analysis of needs.
10. Obtain and use evaluate findings (including student achievement data) to gauge special education program effectiveness.
11. Ensure that curriculum renewal is continuous and responsive to student needs.

Student Management

1. Ensure that rules and procedures for the discipline of special education students are effective and conform to federal and state laws. Demonstrate support for the district's student management policies and expected student behavior related to special education program.
2. Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences with parents, students and teachers concerning vital issues.

Policy, Reports and Laws

1.  Assume responsibility for confidentiality of special edcuation student records.
2. Offer constructive suggestions to ensure that policies, state and federal regulations support the teaching/learning process for disabled students.
3. Implement the policies established by federal and state law, Commissioner of Education rules and local board policy in area of special education.
4. Compile, maintain adn file all reports, records and other documents required.

Budget and Inventory

1. Administer the special education district budget and ensure that programs are cost effective and funds are managed prudently.
2. Define the program and fiscal needs in the budget development process, ensuring that fiscal resources address the needs of special education program and services.
3. Maintain a current inventory of supplies and equipment and recommned the replacement and disposal of equipment when necessary.
4. Approve and forward purchase orders for special education department to accounting department.

Personnel Management

1. Secure consultants, specialists and other community resources for superintendent, principals and instructional staff to assist in attaining objectives.
2. Prepare, review and revise job descriptions in special education department.
3. Develop training options and/or mprovements plans to ensure exemplary operations in the special edcuation area.
4. Conference regularly with staff referred for assistance to discuss performance; jointly develop improvement objectives and identify professional development opportunities.
5. Participate in the recruitment, selection and training of personnel and make sound recommendations relative to personnel placement, assignment, retention, discipline and dismissal.
6. Effectively coach staff, providing technical assistance to principals, teachers and encourage improved overall performance.

Communication and Community Relations

1. Serve as district liaison to community agencies providing services to students and notify parents and students of available services.
2. Demonstrates openness and willingness to listen to parents and community members.
3. Demonstrate awareness of district-community needs and initiate activities to meet those needs.
4. Demonstrate a commitment to the mission of the district as it is communicated to the public.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervise and evaluate the performance of central office special edcuation staff, consultants and support staff.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Maintain emotional control under stress.  Frequent districtwide travel and occasional statewide travel; continuous prolonged and irregular hours.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Occasional district and statewide travel, frequent prolonged and irregular hours.

EVALUATION:

Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy of Evaluation of Administrative Personnel.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

District Benefits:

Medical Insurance: TRS-Active Care/Blue Cross Blue Shield
 
Supplemental Voluntary Health & Life Insurance Products
 
District Paid $25,000 Life Insurance

State Personal Leave Days

Local Sick Leave Days

Texas Teachers Retirement System

Salary : $438 - $630