Director of Special Education

Duties

The Special Education Director is responsible for planning, administering, and directing the member district’s special education programs. This includes formulating and interpreting Special Education policies and procedures; ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations; administering and monitoring the SPED budget; supervising personnel; reviewing student and teacher data that relates to the SPED program.

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Thorough knowledge of curriculum and instruction and current educational trends
• Thorough knowledge of SPED state and federal regulations
• Thorough knowledge of writing and implementing IEPs
• Thorough knowledge of best practices in SPED
• Strong technology skills
• Understanding of adult learning theory
• Development and/or coordination of professional development
• Thorough understanding of program evaluation
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• The ability and willingness to engage in difficult conversations
• The ability to supervise people
• The ability to plan and present information to a variety of audiences

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Instruction
• Consistently analyze data related to teaching and learning
• Work collaboratively with team members to implement curriculum, instruction, and assessments
• Use research and data to continually evaluate instructional programs
• Provide professional development based on research and data to SPED staff and Member Districts
• Facilitates the timely completion of ISBE forms regarding special education personnel, child count and summer school and private facility placements
• Develops and monitors federal and state grant applications consistent with needs assessment and budgetary considerations
• Presents at meetings of the Executive Board and Governing Board
• Executes policies, procedures and contracts established by the Governing Board
• Recruits, interviews, selects and recommends the employment of teachers and other personnel
• Prepares and administers an annual budget in accordance with Governing Board direction and ISBE guidelines
• Prepares and presents at meetings of the Executive Board and Governing Board
• Continuous Improvement
• Remain abreast of current trends in SPED teaching, learning, and assessment by attending conferences and workshops based on school/district priorities
• Conduct and/or participate in workshops, committees, and conferences designed to promote the intellectual, social, and physical welfare of students
• Coordinate with universities, local districts and ESC in the participation of projects, research, student-teacher placements and strategic planning
• Monitor SPED school/student improvement
• Communication
• Communicate clearly orally and in writing
• Promote the mission and vision of the special education cooperative
• Maintain a close working relationship with District-level administrators to ensure information exchange, coordination of efforts, and general support for the decision-making process
• Use a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback
• District Level Planning
• Participate in the development of program goals and instructional objectives for the cooperative programs and district-level programs
• Prepare and present materials for board meetings

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education or related field
• Master’s Degree in Education Leadership/Curriculum and Instruction/Special Education
• Professional Educator’s License in school administration
• Director of Special Education endorsement
• Minimum of five years of successful experience as an administrator

Salary/Benefits

• Salary based on successful experience - $110,500 minimum
• Board-paid TRS contribution - $800/mo.
• Contribution toward health insurance - $800/mo.
• 15 Sick Days
• 3 Personal Days
• 15 Vacation Days

Additional Notes

• Disclaimer: This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, the executive and governing boards reserve the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

How to Apply

To apply, email your resume and cover letter to Mike Denault at mdenault@wcusd1.org. Office: 618-439-7231