Your day to day:The Chief of Special Education provides district-level leadership, direction, and oversight for all special education programs and services and the District's Section 504 program. They ensure that students with disabilities receive appropriate educational services in accordance with federal and state law, Indiana requirements, Board policy, and District procedures.
The Chief serves as the District's primary administrator for special education and Section 504 and works collaboratively with district and building administrators, teachers, related service providers, families, and outside agencies to ensure high-quality programming, consistent practices, regulatory compliance, and positive outcomes for students with disabilities. Responsibilites include:
District Leadership and Program Oversight - Provide leadership, direction, coordination, and oversight for all District special education programs, services, and initiatives.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive continuum of special education services designed to meet the individual needs of students in the least restrictive environment.
- Establish district-wide procedures and expectations for the identification, evaluation, eligibility, placement, programming, and progress monitoring of students with disabilities.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of special education programs and recommend changes based on student needs, outcomes, compliance requirements, staffing, and best practices.
- Collaborate with the Superintendent, central office administrators, and building administrators regarding special education programming, staffing, resources, and strategic planning.
- Advise District leadership regarding special education and Section 504 laws, regulations, requirements, emerging issues, and potential areas of risk.
- Represent special education as a member of the District's administrative leadership team, as assigned.
Special Education Compliance - Ensure District compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Article 7, and other applicable federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing students with disabilities.
- Oversee District processes related to referrals, evaluations, eligibility determinations, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), reevaluations, placements, transitions, and procedural safeguards.
- Establish systems for monitoring timelines, documentation, service delivery, and other special education compliance requirements.
- Review and address areas of noncompliance and develop corrective actions when necessary.
- Ensure required special education data, reports, and submissions are accurate and completed within established timelines.
- Maintain appropriate procedures for special education records and confidentiality.
- Coordinate and respond to special education complaints, due process matters, mediation, monitoring activities, and other compliance reviews in consultation with District administration and legal counsel as appropriate.
Section 504 - Serve as the District-level administrator responsible for oversight and implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
- Develop and maintain consistent District procedures for Section 504 referrals, evaluations, eligibility determinations, accommodation plans, reevaluations, and procedural safeguards.
- Provide guidance and support to building administrators and Section 504 teams regarding eligibility and appropriate accommodations.
- Monitor implementation of Section 504 plans and District compliance with applicable requirements.
- Coordinate responses to Section 504 concerns, complaints, and disputes in collaboration with District administration and legal counsel as appropriate.
- Provide training to administrators and staff regarding Section 504 requirements and District procedures.
Evaluations and Diagnostic Services - Direct and oversee the District's special education evaluation and diagnostic processes.
- Supervise and evaluate the School Psychologist and Educational Diagnostician.
- Coordinate evaluation assignments and workloads to ensure evaluations and reevaluations are completed thoroughly and within required timelines.
- Ensure evaluation practices are legally compliant, educationally appropriate, culturally responsive, and consistent across the District.
- Collaborate with evaluators, administrators, teachers, related service providers, and families regarding complex evaluation and eligibility matters.
- Monitor evaluation data and trends to identify potential program, staffing, or professional development needs.
Staff Leadership and Support - Provide leadership, consultation, and support to building administrators regarding special education and Section 504 matters.
- Provide guidance to special education teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers, and other personnel regarding programming, compliance, and student needs.
- Assist administrators with the supervision, evaluation, and performance management of special education personnel as appropriate.
- Identify professional development needs and coordinate training related to special education, Section 504, IEP implementation, accommodations, behavior, evaluation, and other areas of need.
- Promote consistent practices and expectations for special education services across District schools.
- Participate in recruitment, interviewing, selection, placement, and retention efforts for special education personnel and related service providers.
Student Programming and Services - Provide consultation and leadership regarding students with complex educational, behavioral, medical, or disability-related needs.
- Support building teams in developing appropriate programming and interventions for students with disabilities.
- Monitor the continuum of placements and services to ensure students are educated in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their individual needs.
- Coordinate and oversee services for students requiring specialized or intensive programming.
- Review requests for placements or services outside the District and monitor the appropriateness, effectiveness, and cost of such placements.
- Coordinate transition planning and services for students with disabilities as required.
- Collaborate with curriculum and instructional leadership to promote access to rigorous curriculum and meaningful educational opportunities for students with disabilities.
Family and Community Relations - Serve as a district-level resource for parents and guardians regarding special education and Section 504 questions and concerns.
- Facilitate collaborative problem solving between families and District personnel when concerns arise.
- Promote effective communication and productive partnerships with families of students with disabilities.
- Develop and maintain relationships with community agencies, service providers, neighboring school corporations, state agencies, and other organizations that support students with disabilities.
Budget, Staffing, and Resource Management - Assist in developing and administering the District's special education budget.
- Monitor special education expenditures and recommend efficient and effective use of District resources.
- Assist with determining appropriate staffing levels and assignments based on student needs, caseloads, programming, and legal requirements.
- Oversee or coordinate special education grants, reimbursements, and funding requirements as assigned.
- Participate in the selection and management of contracted special education and related service providers.
- Monitor contracted services for quality, compliance, effectiveness, and fiscal responsibility.
Policy and Continuous Improvement - Recommend the development or revision of Board policies, administrative guidelines, procedures, forms, and practices related to special education and Section 504.
- Monitor changes in federal and state law, regulations, guidance, and Indiana Department of Education requirements and communicate necessary changes to District leadership and staff.
- Analyze special education data, including identification, placement, discipline, achievement, graduation, evaluation, and other relevant measures to identify trends and areas for improvement.
- Establish goals and improvement priorities for District special education programming.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or designee.
Why we'll love you: - You have worked hard to obtain a Master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
- You hold or will be eligible to obtain a valid Indiana District Level Administrator: Director of Exceptional Needs license.
- You have professional experience in special education, educational administration, school psychology, communication disorders, or a closely related area.
- You posess demonstrated knowledge of IDEA, Indiana Article 7, Section 504, and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations governing services for students with disabilities.
- You have demonstrated experience with special education programming, evaluation, eligibility, IEP development and implementation, compliance, and services for students with disabilities.
- You have demonstrated leadership ability and experience working collaboratively with administrators, educators, related service providers, families, and community partners.
- You have the ability to communicate effectively and manage conflict and facilitate collaborative resolution of difficult or sensitive issues.
- You have the ability to supervise, develop and evaluate professional staff.
- You are able to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
- You possess the ability to analyze data and use information to guide programming, staffing, and continuous improvement, and to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and compliance requirements simultaneously.
Additional Preferred Qualifications: - District-level special education leadership or administrative experience.
- Experience supervising special education professionals, school psychologists, diagnosticians, and/or related service providers.
- Experience overseeing Section 504 programs and procedures.
- Experience managing special education compliance, complaints, due process matters, corrective action, or state monitoring.
- Experience with special education budgeting, staffing, grants, and contracted services.
- Experience developing or overseeing a continuum of services for students with a wide range of disabilities and support needs.
Why you'll love us: - We value a positive culture and environment and work hard to provide a safe, engaging place for students and staff based on trust, respect, and responsibility.
- We offer an annual benefit allocation
- Generous retirement options
- Supplemental Insurance offerings
- Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability
- Generous vacation and leave time
- Professional Development
- FREE Onsite Wellness Clinic
- Discounted YMCA membership
- Free entry to athletic and performing arts events
