Special Education Director

QUALIFICATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

POSITION: DIRECTOR/COORDINATOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Elementary and/or Secondary Licensure in Special Education or currently working on Licensure.
• Administrative Licensure by New Mexico Public Education Department or currently working in an approved planned program with a University/ College leading towards an NMPED

Administrative License.

• Knowledgeable about or experience involving school administration and school finances.
• Demonstrate leadership qualities.
• Other qualifications determined to be necessary by the Superintendent.

REPORTS TO: Superintendent

SUPERVISES: Regular K-12 Special Education, and other assigned Categorical State/ Federal/Private Funded Programs; inclusive of Technology and assigned licensed and Non-Licensed Personnel/Administrative Personnel.

JOB GOAL: To provide direction to the Peñasco Independent School District with regards to their Special Education Program. All tasks and responsibilities will be carried out under the direct guidance and supervision of the Superintendent.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

Director of Special Education:

• Direct(s), coordinate(s), monitor(s), implements(s), supervise(s), and assess(es) assigned and/or existing State and Federal instructional programs, such as: REC/IDEA B (Entitlement, Discretionary, Pre-school), Special Education Program, Child Find, Section 504, and/or other IDEA-B Grants that become available inclusive of other assigned programs as funding becomes available.
• Comply with all rules and regulations applicable to all programs, develop a Special education Manual with assistance of REC #2 and ensure compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provide training.
• Schedule educational, appraisal and review committee meetings, for regular and new students.
• Train Principals about the importance of attending IEP Meetings for Special Education as applicable.
• Attend all initial and 3-year re-evaluation IEP Meetings for Special Education.
• Implement General Screening and Student Assessment Team Plan.
• Implement and supervise Full Inclusion Programs in order to obtain the least restrictive environment (LRE) as per IDEA B Application.
• Meet regularly with diagnostician(s) and therapists and contractors for ancillary services.
• Meet with special and regular education staff, counselors, administrators, and other staff regarding program implementation and student services.
• Meet with staff and administration to open lines of communication and address programmatic concerns.
• Meet regularly with administrators and District Leadership Team (DLT) members to discuss, plan and communicate about the Special Education program.
• Review and coordinate with the STARS Coordinator at every reporting period, to ensure the data submitted to the state are accurate and timely in accordance with the NMPED timeline.
• Prepare, review and submit other data required by the NMPED Special Education Bureau in accordance with their reporting calendar.
• Train special education staff, counselors, administrators and other applicable staff regarding the Medicaid Reimbursement Process.
• Oversee and implement the Medicaid Reimbursement Process, including the Random Time Sampling Report and others, as required by the Human Services Department.
• Establish and facilitate a Parent Advisory Committee for Special Education Programs inclusive of the Gifted Program.
• Review master teaching schedules, Kindergarten through 12th grades and make recommendations for School Administration and Superintendent’s approval.
• Provide periodic instructional program observation(s).
• Assess and monitor applicable Summer School Enhancement Programs such as Extended School Year (ESY) for students along with applicable administrative staff.
• Serve as the district liaison for training and communication on student discipline and/or long-term suspension or expulsion in coordination with the school administrators as it relates to special education students.
• Serve as a designee to the Superintendent in dealing with child abuse investigation and reporting.
• Assess, recommend and schedule staff training for the Superintendent’s consideration.
• Assist in the preparation of annual budget relevant to Special Education services programs, and personnel.
• Review expenditure reports, initiate budget transfers, budget increases, budget decreases, and maintain financial accountability for all IDEA B, or private funded categorical programs(s) in collaboration with the business manager and superintendent.
• Monitor and update the existing equipment inventory which was purchased from assigned federal, state or private funds applicable to assigned programs.
• Identify continued and/or new innovative programs/funds (Federal, State, Private) to enhance our existing programs or to implement innovative programs.
• Prepare other reports, including program summaries, for submission to the Public Education Department, other agencies, respond to surveys and questionnaires and with Principal(s).
• Compile operational statistics and gather such other data as the Superintendent may require for other projects, with assistance of principals, as it applies to SPED.
• Research and disseminate information about new developments in special education.
• Collaborate with administration to review and revise the Five (5) Year Facility Plan to ensure ADA and special education compliance.
• Assist in developing job descriptions and Performance Development Plans/Growth Plans for Special Education Personnel.
• Monitor and collaborate with staff to ensure that curriculum is aligned with the State Standards and Benchmarks and is being implemented kindergarten through 12th grade for students with IEPs.
• Report regularly to the Superintendent regarding any developments or problems within the district in the area of Special Education requiring the Superintendent’s action.
• Compile Special Education and/or Gifted student statistics as the Superintendent may require for other projects, with assistance of School Principals.
• Collaborate and coordinate with administration on district-wide Staff Development Plans in areas that would improve outcomes for special education students.
• Prepare monthly reports for the School Board and attend board meetings as requested by the Superintendent.
• Perform such other tasks and assume such other responsibilities as the Superintendent may assign or delegate.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Term of Employment to be established by the Superintendent on an annual basis.

SALARY: Salary to be established by the Superintendent on an annual basis. (10 Hours Minimum Daily)

EVALUATION: Performance of the job will be conducted in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on Evaluation of Professional personnel.