POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Exceptional Needs provides district-wide leadership, supervision,
coordination, and oversight of special education and exceptional needs services for
Community Schools of Frankfort (CSF). The Director ensures that programs and services
are delivered in compliance with federal and Indiana special education requirements and
district policies while supporting schools, students, families, teachers, administrators, and
related-service personnel.
The Director is responsible for the administration of special education programming,
personnel and staffing, compliance, Medicaid reimbursement, contracted services,
budgeting, evaluation processes, due process matters, behavioral supports, professional
development, and coordination of services for students with exceptional needs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Preschool / Early Childhood and Exceptional Needs Programming
- Provide district-wide oversight of preschool and early childhood exceptional needs
programming.
- Oversee the districts participation in Paths to QUALITY (PTQ) and related quality-
assurance requirements.
- Coordinate preschool registration and enrollment procedures.
- Oversee developmental screening and universal screening processes.
- Coordinate curriculum mapping and developmentally appropriate programming.
- Monitor preschool operations, including:
o Fingerprinting and background-check requirements.
o Drug-testing requirements, as applicable.
o Enrichment and program checklists.
o Required training and professional development.
o Administrative procedures and documentation.
- Provide training, technical assistance, and ongoing support to preschool and
exceptional needs staff.
- Coordinate with building administrators and staff regarding preschool and early
childhood programming.
- Medicaid Administration and Reimbursement
- Provide district oversight of Medicaid Administrative Claims (MAC) and school-
based Medicaid activities.
- Coordinate Medicaid administrative requirements, certifications, and required
documentation.
- Monitor Medicaid staff eligibility, training, and certification requirements.
- Ensure accurate and timely completion of Medicaid documentation and claims.
- Monitor school-based Medicaid service documentation.
- Conduct periodic reviews of Medicaid records and service logs.
- Monitor Medicaid reimbursement activity and resolve discrepancies.
- Coordinate with district personnel and outside providers regarding Medicaid
requirements.
- Contracted Exceptional Needs Services
- Coordinate and oversee contracted exceptional needs service providers.
- Manage contracts for related services and specialized programming, including, as
applicable:
o Speech-language services.
o Occupational therapy.
o Physical therapy.
o Psychological services.
o Diagnostic services.
o Other specialized or related services.
- Monitor contracted services to ensure services are delivered in accordance with
student IEPs and contractual requirements.
- Coordinate contract renewals and service agreements.
- Monitor contracted non-public or outside services.
- Assist with budget development and distribution related to contracted services.
- Exceptional Needs Budget and Financial Management
- Develop, monitor, and administer the Exceptional Needs Department budget.
- Monitor special education expenditures and reimbursement revenues.
- Monitor federal, state, and local special education funding.
- Oversee expenditures associated with special education allocations, including IDEA
funds and other applicable funding sources.
- Monitor reimbursement requests, purchase orders, and other financial
documentation.
- Work collaboratively with the Superintendent, Chief Financial Officer/business
office, and building administrators regarding exceptional needs expenditures.
- Prepare budget reports and recommendations as requested.
- Ensure expenditures are consistent with applicable funding requirements and
district priorities.
- Special Education Compliance and Program Administration
- Ensure district special education programs comply with:
o Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
o Indiana special education requirements.
o Applicable federal and state regulations.
o Indiana Department of Education requirements.
o Community Schools of Frankfort policies and procedures.
- Monitor timelines and documentation associated with evaluations, eligibility
determinations, IEPs, reevaluations, and other required special education
processes.
- Provide guidance to administrators and staff regarding special education
procedures.
- Maintain appropriate district-level special education records and documentation.
- Coordinate state and federal reporting requirements.
- Monitor compliance with procedural safeguards and parent rights.
- Coordinate responses to state monitoring, audits, and compliance reviews.
- Evaluation and Staffing
Provide leadership and oversight for the districts exceptional needs evaluation and staffing
structure, including:
- Assistant Director/exceptional needs leadership personnel.
- District Data Coordinator.
- School Psychologists.
- Occupational Therapists.
- Speech-Language Pathologists.
- Diagnosticians.
- BLV/DHH Teachers.
- Physical Therapists.
- Other exceptional needs and related-service personnel.
Responsibilities include:
- Assist with recruitment, interviewing, selection, placement, and assignment of
exceptional needs personnel.
- Coordinate staffing recommendations based on student needs and enrollment.
- Monitor staffing allocations and caseloads.
- Conduct or coordinate staff evaluations as assigned.
- Provide professional support and performance feedback.
- Identify professional development needs.
- Support retention and development of exceptional needs personnel.
- Manifestation Determination
- Coordinate and oversee Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDRs) when
required.
- Coordinate with building administrators, case conference committees, parents, and
appropriate personnel.
- Coordinate with hearing officers and other appropriate officials when applicable.
- Review and coordinate required medical or professional reports.
- Ensure appropriate documentation and procedural timelines are followed.
- Provide guidance regarding disciplinary procedures involving students with
disabilities.
- Mediation, Due Process, OCR Complaints, and Legal Coordination
- Coordinate district responses to special education disputes and complaints.
- Assist with mediation proceedings.
- Coordinate responses to due process complaints.
- Coordinate responses to Office for Civil Rights (OCR) complaints involving
exceptional needs matters.
- Work collaboratively with district attorneys and legal counsel.
- Coordinate with parents, advocates, service providers, and other agencies as
appropriate.
- Coordinate with ICHAMP and other applicable state or community resources.
- Maintain appropriate documentation regarding complaints, hearings, mediation,
and due process matters.
- Provide recommendations to the Superintendent regarding special education legal
and compliance matters.
- Restraint and Verbal De-escalation Training
- Coordinate district restraint and verbal de-escalation training.
- Maintain records of required staff certifications.
- Monitor certification expiration dates and renewal requirements.
- Coordinate training opportunities for district personnel.
- Coordinate trainer training and trainer renewals.
- Ensure appropriate documentation of completed training.
- Provide guidance to administrators and staff regarding district restraint and de-
escalation procedures.
- Frankfort Virtual Academy
- Serve as the Teacher of Record (TOR) or provide district-level oversight for
exceptional needs students enrolled in the Frankfort High School Systems of
Support (Alternative Education and Virtual Academy), as assigned.
- Ensure virtual students receiving exceptional needs services have appropriate
documentation and services.
- Coordinate with virtual academy staff, case managers, families, and service
providers.
- Monitor compliance with IEP requirements for virtual students.
- Assist with appropriate placement, service delivery, and progress monitoring.
ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director of Exceptional Needs shall:
- Serve as a resource to the Superintendent and administrative team regarding
exceptional needs matters.
- Attend and participate in administrative meetings as assigned.
- Participate in case conferences, parent meetings, staff meetings, and other
meetings when appropriate.
- Maintain confidentiality of student, family, and personnel information.
- Develop and maintain effective relationships with students, parents, staff,
administrators, community agencies, and outside service providers.
- Represent Community Schools of Frankfort at state, regional, and professional
meetings.
- Stay current on changes in federal and Indiana exceptional needs laws, regulations,
procedures, and best practices.
- Provide training and professional development to district staff.
- Develop administrative procedures and forms as necessary.
- Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations for the Superintendent and
Board of School Trustees.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
- Comprehensive knowledge of special education laws, regulations, and procedures.
- Knowledge of IDEA and Indiana special education requirements.
- Strong organizational and administrative skills.
- Ability to manage multiple programs, deadlines, and compliance requirements.
- Ability to interpret and apply federal and state regulations.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively with parents, students, teachers, administrators, and
outside agencies.
- Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
- Budget development and financial management skills.
- Ability to maintain accurate and confidential records.
- Ability to analyze data and use data to support program decisions.
- Ability to provide leadership and direction to special education and related-service
personnel.
- Ability to work collaboratively with legal counsel and outside agencies.
- Commitment to providing equitable, high-quality services to students with
exceptional needs.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Appropriate Indiana educator/special education administrative licensure or
eligibility for the position.
- Appropriate experience in special education and/or exceptional needs
programming.
- Demonstrated experience with special education compliance and IEP processes.
- Administrative or supervisory experience preferred.
- Experience working with parents, multidisciplinary teams, and related-service
providers.
- Knowledge of Indiana special education requirements and procedures.
- Successful completion of required background checks and other district
employment requirements.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Primarily administrative/office environment with frequent interaction across all CSF
school buildings.
- Regular travel between district buildings and community locations may be required.
- Occasional evening meetings, parent meetings, professional development, and
special education hearings or conferences may be required.
- Must be able to respond to time-sensitive student, parent, staffing, compliance, and
legal matters.
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
The Director of Exceptional Needs is expected to demonstrate professionalism, integrity,
confidentiality, responsiveness, sound judgment, collaboration, and a commitment to
ensuring that every student with exceptional needs receives appropriate services and
access to a high-quality educational program.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work
performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of
all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions associated with the
position. Duties may be modified or assigned as necessary by the Superintendent.