MORGAN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT RE-3

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE:  Special Education Director

REPORTS TO:  Superintendent of Morgan County School District       

POSITION SUMMARY:

Provide leadership and collaborate with state and local educators in initiating, maintaining, and evaluating effective special education programs that address the individual needs of students while assuring compliance with Federal and State laws regarding education of students with handicapping conditions. In administering the District’s special education programs, the Director will be responsible for assessments, participation in strategic and accreditation/accountability planning, budgeting allocated funds, consistent program articulation, data collection and reporting to the public as well as the Colorado Department of Education pursuant to State and Federal requirements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Collaborate with site and district level administrators, then make recommendations to the superintendent and Board of Education for establishing and maintaining well-articulated special education services within the perimeters of implementing the district’s philosophy of education, its policies and rules governing instruction, student activities and conduct.
2. Maintain knowledge and access to State and Federal special education laws, their provisions, and their relationship to regular public education and other programs impacting student achievement and productivity.
3. Assist and support other administrators, staff members and parents in identifying district children, ages 3 to 21 with handicapping conditions as well as planning, coordinating, implementing, and supervising specialized services addressing their individual needs and encouraging proficient achievement.
4. Assume responsibility for the supervision of the Child Find services and personnel.
5. Assist and support other administrators and staff in developing and maintaining processes, procedures, and necessary forms for collection, tracking, and reporting of data as required for accountability as well as meeting legal State and Federal program requirements.
6. Make appropriate recommendations for entering special service contracts with other agencies. These agencies might include, but are not limited to mental health clinics, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, day treatment centers, etc.
7. Assist in provision of research-based professional development toward best practice instruction and organizational design.
8. Assist and support recruiting and interviewing procedures, recommending hires, supervision and coaching of special education staff for excellence in programs and performance.
9. Maintain professional competence and growth through participation in district provided and self-selected staff development opportunities.
10. Assist other administrators in identifying needs and providing staff development opportunities to address the needs of both special and general education personnel.
11. Participate in budget planning for the special education program.
12. Perform such other tasks and responsibilities as may be needed for the efficient administration of the district’s special education program or assigned by the superintendent.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

1. Good written and oral English language communication skills.
2. Administrative and leadership skills, including planning, organizing, and utilizing resources.
3. Ability to plan, implement and evaluate special education services and transitional programs.
4. Ability to establish procedures for identifying and programming for all children with handicapping conditions.
5. Knowledge of various disabilities and handicapping conditions.
6. Ability to establish and conduct evaluation plans for delivery systems and programs, then organize data into a system for decision-making purposes.
7. Understands public school finance and law, personnel administration, litigation, and due process.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Master’s degree or higher in education or in a related field of special services from an accredited college or university.
2. Have or be able to obtain Principal/Administrative licensure.
3. Have a minimum of two years’ experience working with handicapped children.
4. Have or be eligible for endorsement as a Director of Special Education in Colorado.
5. Such alternatives or additional qualifications as the Board of Education may find appropriate or acceptable