Executive Director of Special Education Compliance Under the general direction of the Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Student Services, the Executive Director of Special Education is responsible for the administration, coordination, supervision, and compliance of district-wide special education programs and services.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Guides and supports the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of special education programs and services Oversees district special education systems, procedures, records, and data management, including the district IEP platform
- Ensures compliance with federal and state special education laws, regulations, timelines, and reporting requirements
- Coordinates state monitoring, internal compliance reviews, corrective action plans, and required DESE reporting
- Oversees procedures related to evaluations, IEP development, placements, progress reporting, and Extended School Year programming
- Supports the oversight and monitoring of out-of-district placements and Circuit Breaker documentation and reporting
- Collaborates with building administrators, Evaluation Team Leaders, educators, and service providers to support effective special education programming
- Provides guidance and support on complex student cases, procedural matters, and dispute resolution
- Develops and provides professional learning and technical assistance for administrators and special education staff
- Collaborates with general education leadership to align special education programming with district MTSS structures and instructional priorities Supports equitable and culturally responsive evaluation, identification, placement, and programming practices
- Partners with Human Resources and building administrators regarding special education staffing, recruitment, and retention
- Responds to caregiver concerns and inquiries regarding special education programs and services Serves as an administrative liaison to the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
- Supports the management and oversight of special education budgets and grants, including IDEA Provides evaluative oversight of assigned staff as deemed necessary
- Represents the district with DESE, outside agencies, legal counsel, and other partners as appropriate Attends School Committee meetings and district leadership meetings as needed
- Keeps the Assistant Superintendent informed of significant departmental matters and supports strategic initiatives
- Performs other responsibilities and duties as assigned This retains the major responsibilities in the existing position-including systems/data, regulatory monitoring, IEP processes, professional learning, family partnerships, MTSS, and administrative oversight-while eliminating much of the procedural detail.
QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: Federal and state special education laws and regulations Special education programming, procedures, and compliance requirements IEP development, evaluation, placement, and progress-monitoring practices Effective instructional and inclusive practices for students with disabilities Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Student data and special education information systems Staff development and professional learning approaches State monitoring and reporting requirements Special education grants and budget management Ability to: Relate well and work collaboratively with diverse perspective holders Lead district-wide planning and implementation of special education programs and systems Effectively supervise and support staff Analyze student, program, and compliance data Communicate clearly, orally and in writing Establish and maintain effective relationships with families, staff, community organizations, and state agencies Develop and implement systems to ensure federal and state mandates are met Support administrators and staff in resolving complex special education matters
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE Master's degree in special education, educational leadership, or a related field Five years of successful experience in special education, including administrative or supervisory experience District-level special education leadership experience preferred
LICENSURE Required-Massachusetts Administrator of Special Education license (All Levels), Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent licensure preferred.
12-month employee, individual contract, exempt Full Time, salary based on experience in the range of $150,000 - $175,000
