Full-Time and Permanent; 7.5 Hours/Day; 252 Days/Year; 12 Months/Year; Grade O

DEFINITION

The incumbent in this single position class is responsible for administering the general provisions of Virginia Education Laws as it relates to compulsory attendance, corporal punishment, school records, student enrollment/transfer/withdrawal, non-residence issues, court involved youth, mandated reporting, threat assessment, Title IX and other relevant areas involving student support services.  Additionally, the incumbent serving in this position is responsible for developing and coordinating division-wide practices to address the areas of school climate as well as alternative education with a focus on improving student achievement.

SUPERVISION

Work is performed under the general direction of the Senior Executive Director of Academic Operations.  The incumbent in this class develops program goals and plans and directs the implementation of approved programs.  The incumbent’s work is reviewed in terms of efficient and effective operations of the department and compatibility with established goals, objectives, policies, regulations, and laws.  Supervision is exercised by assigned coordinators, clerical and other auxiliary staff as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Positions designated as department directors administer division-wide, multi-faceted functions with comprehensive responsibilities, which impact most or all of the division’s constituencies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASS (May not include all duties performed by each position in the class).

Provides supervision of the following major areas, as well as other areas assigned by the Superintendent of Schools or the Senior Executive Director of Academic Operations: student enrollment; student records; student attendance; alternative education transition support; Title IX Division Coordinator; division-level threat assessment; Homeschool; Out-of-District Transfers; Foreign Exchange students; student discipline; student wellness; and Title IV (safe schools and transition support).

Coordinates and oversees the division-wide threat assessment program, including serving as chairperson or designee for the district-level threat assessment team, ensuring compliance with state laws and School Board policies, and providing annual threat assessment training and technical assistance for administrators, school-based teams, and all staff members.

Assists and advises principals, assistant principals, other staff members, and community stakeholders in the interpretation, administration, and enforcement of the sections of the Virginia Education Laws that pertain to the enrollment of students and certain aspects of the compulsory attendance laws, including admission to school and kindergarten.

Assists principals, assistant principals, parents/guardians, students, the Superintendent of Schools and staff in the resolution of discipline and/or other pertinent issues related to student support services which school personnel have not been able to resolve and advises principals and teachers regarding the suspension and expulsion of students.

Serves as an alternate hearing officer for disciplinary matters and other student-related hearings as assigned.

Prepares reports related to student discipline to correspond with monthly meetings of the School Board and advises the School Board on the suspension and expulsion of students.

Presents disciplinary recommendations, long-term suspensions, expulsions, reinstatement matters, and other student-related proceedings during School Board closed sessions and committee meetings.

Coordinates annual mandatory trainings related to student safety, student conduct, threat assessment, child abuse reporting requirements, and other compliance-related areas as assigned.

Serves on committees and boards as assigned by the Superintendent or Senior Executive Director of Academic Operations.

Serves on division-wide committees and collaborative teams, including but not limited to the Preschool Steering Committee, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), alternative education leadership groups, and regional or state professional organizations related to student support services and alternative education.

Serves as a member of professional organizations and collaborative networks involving alternative education, student conduct, prevention, intervention, and student support services.

Interprets provisions of the NPS Student Handbook Including the Standards for Student Conduct, Administrators’ Guide, and relevant School Board policies for building principals, assistant principals, teachers, students, parents/guardians, and the community-at-large.

Reviews and determines the approval status of requests from parents/guardians for excluding students from school attendance to include Religious Exemption, Delay Entrance into Kindergarten, and Homeschooling.

Receives and reviews notifications and screen-out determinations from Child Protective Services involving allegations of child abuse or neglect occurring or allegedly occurring within school settings and coordinates appropriate follow-up actions with school administrators and Human Resources as necessary.

Recommends disciplinary action (suspensions, expulsions, etc.) to the Senior Executive Director of Academic Operations based on thorough investigations aligned with established division level policies and procedures, ensuring due process in each and every case presented for review and/or appeal.

Serves as the liaison to the Department of Human Resources when internal investigations involve students.

Assists schools and departments with legal and procedural guidance involving staff-related matters impacting student services and school operations.

Provides the City Attorney’s Office, Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, Department of Juvenile Justice, School Board attorneys, and other authorized agencies, upon request, full and complete information and materials pertaining to disciplinary matters, court proceedings, subpoenas, records requests, and other student-related legal matters, as permitted by law.

Serves as liaison among the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, Department of Juvenile Justice, law enforcement agencies, and Norfolk Public Schools regarding student-related legal matters, court involvement, records requests, and school safety concerns.

Maintains communication with court personnel, probation officers, and juvenile justice agencies to obtain final dispositions and updates regarding juveniles involved in court-related matters affecting school placement, safety, or services.

Serves as a designated recipient, along with the Superintendent or designee, for notifications regarding juveniles charged with offenses in the community as permitted by law.

Collaborates with institutions of higher education and community agencies regarding prevention and intervention programs related to substance abuse education, student wellness, and behavioral support.

Supports and participates in partnerships involving prevention and intervention services, including collaborative efforts with Old Dominion University Eastern Virginia Medical School (ODU EVMS) and related community organizations.

Testifies in court proceedings, administrative hearings, tribunals, due process hearings, and other legal proceedings related to student records, discipline, subpoenas, enrollment matters, and student support services.

Serves as the NPS Custodian of Records, including the review and authentication of subpoenas, court orders, affidavits, search warrants, and requests for student records; ensures compliance with FERPA, FOIA, and other applicable laws governing confidentiality, maintenance, and release of records.

Responds to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and coordinates with appropriate departments and legal counsel to ensure timely and compliant responses.

Reviews and processes requests for amendment of educational records in accordance with FERPA and School Board policies and conducts hearings related to contested record amendment requests.

Serves as the school division’s Title IX Coordinator.

Collaborates with legal counsel and district administrators regarding student accommodations, gender identity matters, Title IX compliance, and related student support concerns.

Coordinates notifications and responses related to missing children reports received from law enforcement or state agencies and ensures appropriate communication with schools and relevant personnel.

Reviews and authorizes requests for student computer search investigations involving threats, inappropriate conduct, safety concerns, or potential violations of School Board policy in collaboration with the Department of Information Technology and other appropriate agencies.

Coordinates and schedules reinstatement hearings for students seeking readmission following expulsion in accordance with School Board policy and applicable laws and regulations.

Reviews, referrals and documentation received from the Department of Juvenile Justice and coordinates involuntary assignments to alternative education programs in accordance with School Board policy and applicable laws and regulations.

Reviews and responds to requests from outside agencies, medical providers, behavioral health organizations, and other entities requesting reimbursement or educational funding for services provided to students, including the preparation of denial correspondence and related documentation.

Reaches out to legal counsel and the City Attorney’s Office for guidance and support regarding student, staff, and district matters requiring legal interpretation or consultation.

Acts on requests for student transfers or other irregular school assignments.

Collaborate with various department directors regarding the development of efficient and effective procedures to facilitate interdepartmental relationships. 

Provides guidance to parents/guardians and school staff related to custody-related school admission issues.

Oversees the school wellness programming to include school nurses in collaboration with the nursing supervisor.

Performs all other duties assigned by the Superintendent of Schools or the Senior Executive Director of Academic Operations.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of the principles, theories, and practices of school administration.

Thorough knowledge of school law and community relations as applied to student services activities.

Thorough knowledge of federal and state laws related to FERPA, FOIA, threat assessment, Title IX, compulsory attendance, student discipline, child abuse reporting, and juvenile justice procedures.

Ability to manage complex legal, procedural, and emotionally sensitive matters involving students, families, staff, law enforcement, attorneys, courts, and community agencies.

Ability to coordinate hearings, investigations, compliance activities, and interagency partnerships while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.

Thorough knowledge of the organization and operations of Norfolk Public Schools.

Thorough knowledge of alternative education practices related to students in Norfolk Public Schools.

Knowledge of the principles of school and educational psychology.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, includes the ability to mediate and diffuse emotional and difficult interactions among students, parents/guardians, and school administrators and officials.

Ability to conduct confidential investigations.

Ability to enforce appropriate policies related to student discipline, security, safety, and truancy.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a master’s degree in school administration or related field including course work in school law, supervision, and personnel management, and considerable experience in teaching and administration; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the above knowledge, skills, and abilities.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION

Postgraduate professional certificate/license with endorsement in education and in supervision and administration (preferred) or any equivalent combination of education and experience in administration and supervision.

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

Work requires normal physical attributes to work in an administrative office.

HAZARDS

Work involves no exposure to unusual hazards.

UNUSUAL DEMANDS

Work is performed in an office and requires attendance at evening and weekend meetings and events.

Salary : $100,380 - $166,447