Elementary ARD Administrator (26-27)

                                                              Northwest Independent School District

Job Title: Elementary ARD Administrator

Reports to: Executive Director of Special Education

Dept./School: Elementary Campuses as assigned

Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

Duty Days: 220

Pay Grade: A33

Date Revised: 4/2026

Primary Purpose

The Elementary ARD Administrator provides leadership and oversight for the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) process across elementary campuses. The ARD Administrator is responsible for system-wide compliance, streamlining campus processes, and mentoring campus leadership. This role ensures all elementary campuses adhere to federal, state, and local timelines while providing direct support to schools with high ARD volumes and coaching new administrators in special education leadership.

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in educational administration, Special Education, or a related field (Preferred).
• Certification: Valid Texas Principal or Mid-Management Certificate; Valid Texas Teacher Certificate (Special Education preferred).
• Experience: Minimum of five years of successful experience in education, including leadership and/or administrative roles.
• Skills:
  • Expert knowledge of federal and state special education laws and ARD procedures.
  • Proven ability to streamline complex organizational processes and improve efficiency.
  • Advanced skills in conflict resolution and mediating difficult decisions.
  • Strong coaching and mentorship abilities to support new campus administrators.
  • Ability to stay updated on all federal and state laws and procedures pertaining to special education and ARD processes.

Major Responsibilities and Duties

Compliance and Oversight

1. Monitor Campus Adherence: Ensure that all elementary campuses follow district ARD procedures and strictly adhere to federal/state timeline requirements.
2. Audit and Quality Control: Review ARD paperwork across campuses for data integrity (PEIMS) and legal compliance, ensuring that decisions are accurately documented and implemented.
3. Documentation Review: Ensure significant problems with ARD procedures are documented and addressed through systematic corrective action.

Campus Support and Capacity Building

1. High-Volume Support: Provide direct administrative support and leadership to campuses experiencing a high volume of ARDs, 504’s or particularly complex cases to ensure timelines are met without sacrificing quality.
2. Administrative Mentorship: Support and coach new elementary administrators on the technical and legal aspects of the ARD process, empowering them to lead meetings effectively.
3. Direct Intervention: Serve as the administrative representative or chair in contentious or high-stakes ARD meetings that require advanced decision-making and judgment.

Process Streamlining

1. System Optimization: Collaborate with elementary principals to identify constraints in the ARD process and develop streamlined workflows to reduce administrative burden.
2. Standardized Training: Develop and provide professional development for campus staff regarding updates in special education law, accommodations, and effective ARD participation.
3. Communication Bridge: Facilitate systematic communication between the Special Education Department and campus-level leadership to ensure alignment of goals and procedures.

Equipment Used:

Personal computer, printer, copier, and fax machine.

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Working Conditions:

Maintain emotional control under stress. Work with frequent interruptions. Extensive walking, bending, and lifting. Occasional districtwide travel; frequent prolonged and irregular hours.

Mental Demand: Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written); ability to instruct; maintain emotional control under stress.

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned, alternative methods of performing your duties, or skills that may be required.

Salary : $81,019 - $108,038