Director of Student Services

Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District is an engaged and collaborative community where students are met with joy and kindness, by faculty and staff who are empowering and inspiring and where every voice matters! With 5 schools and 2700 students, a special education student population of approximately 18% our students and staff thrive on the personalization given that our small and close knit district provides. We are seeking a passionate leader of learning and growth, who thrives in leading a talented group of educators. Our special education teachers, specialized staff and paraprofessionals are passionate about assisting their students with making the most progress possible. They implement an instructional, therapeutic, or skill development program for all students and plan and use appropriate instructional and learning strategies that reflect understanding of the learning styles and needs of students assigned. The Director of Student Services will oversee all aspects of the Special Education Program and help to develop and implement a structured plan for the department and the district moving forward. Job Description and Goals: To be a key member of the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School Leadership Team, reporting to the Superintendent of Schools Oversees special education for all students ranging in age from 3-22, school nursing and counseling departments Oversees all social emotional learning, including the rollout for all associated software and initiatives, for the district in conjunction with the Director of Curriculum and Instruction Plans, directs, and coordinates the delivery of special education in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations Supervises, evaluates, and provides oversight of the Special Ed. Administrators, the school psychologists, BCBA, related service providers, and school adjustment counselors as requested and in conjunction with building Principals Recruits, screens, and recommends staff members for the various positions within the Student Services Department Serves as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison and Foster Care Point of Contact for the district Serves as the Civil Rights Coordinator and Harassment Coordinator for the district which includes Title VI, Title IX, and 504 Develops, continually revises, and ensures the implementation of consistent Section 504 procedures as well as provides ongoing training and support to district staff regarding Section 504 Plans, organizes and coordinates the development of processes, strategies, and feasibility planning to ensure that the necessary human and monetary resources are properly and appropriately utilized in order to achieve the student support service result expectancies, including preparation of a fiscal budget and preparation and monitoring of state and federal grants Serves on equity based committees and initiatives as a key member Establishes professional relationships with the various offices and agencies within the state and community that provide or regulate clinical or mental health services for students Plans ongoing student services related professional development in conjunction with the Leadership Team and the Director of Curriculum. Provides leadership and expertise in identifying, formulating, and implementing the District’s student support goals and objectives in compliance with state and federal legal mandates and guidelines. Oversees and approves Home/Hospital tutoring and instruction A knowledge and comfort with the newly designed IEP Provides the Superintendent and Director of Business and Finance with regular updates on the changing variables in the budget Evaluates, modifies, and develops programs within the Special Education Department and monitors the acquisition of materials, equipment, multi-media and textbooks for Special Education programs Approves Out of District placements and serves as the Out of District Coordinator Prepares the fiscal budget and evaluative reports as well as recommendations in the area of student services. Prepares and monitors state and federal grants, other state aide and Medicaid Oversees the management of Circuit Breaker and any associated audits Oversees coordination of Special Education Transportation in conjunction with the Director of Business and Finance Serves on equity based committees and initiatives as a key member Attends and participates in meetings of the FLRSD Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Participates in appropriate meetings with member collaboratives Coordinates all activities related to DESE oversight including Tiered Focused Monitoring, SSP Indicators, Problem Resolution Services (PRS) All other duties assigned by the Superintendent Additional Requirements and Qualifications Valid DESE Certification as Special Education Administrator, All Levels Master’s Degree or higher in Special Education Leadership, preferred Minimum of five (5) years of successful administrative experience Training, experience, and familiarity with Social-Emotional Learning, Equity, and Family Engagement Leadership skills in organization, developing goals, best instructional practices, communications, problem solving, and collaboration Experience in evaluating and developing special education programming Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the School Committee and Superintendent may find appropriate and acceptable. Citizenship, residency or work VISA in the United States required. Alan J. Strauss Superintendent of Schools Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District 98 Howland Rd Lakeville, Ma 02347 astrauss@freelake.org