Director of Special Education (2026-2027)

Position Title: Director of Special Education

Job Goal: Provide professional leadership in organizing, administering, supervising, and evaluating the effective delivery of Special Education services . Use assessment data to ensure that instructional practices are preparing students for more rigorous academics beyond minimum academic requirements.

Reports To: Superintendent

Supervises: Programs and personnel to be determined by the Superintendent.

Qualifications: Master's degree or higher; minimum 3 years of successful leadership/administrative experience preferred administrative/teacher leader/supervision endorsement; must be ALSDE certified teacher/administrator evaluator; minimum of 3 years teaching experience; and such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board might find appropriate and acceptable.

Salary: To be determined commensurate with local salary schedule, credentials, and experience.

Essential Functions:

• Establish optimum learning environment within the Special Education (SPED) department.
• Knowledge of curriculum development and SPED law and practices.
• Knowledge and effective use of multiple data points to guide teaching and learning practices
• Ensure that all (SPED) programs and activities conform to federal, state and district guidelines.
• Communicate effectively with all members of the SPED department.
• Support the mission and vision of the SPED department and Selma City Schools.
• Comply with all district policies, rules and regulations.

General Responsibilities:

• Oversees the general operation of SPED program for the district.
• Advocates acceptance of, and provision of services for, students with disabilities.
• Consults with parents, teachers and administrators in matters pertaining to the education of exceptional children.
• Identifies and implements effective research based instructional practices for special education teachers, related service providers, and paraprofessionals.
• Leads the development and administration of the annual SPED budget.
• Reviews and coordinates due process, medication and other compliance processes to ensure legal standards are met.
• Coordinates and partners with advocacy groups to provide education to parents and the community.
• Develop and implement Child Find procedures and ensure that children who need special education services are identified, located and evaluated.
• Supports the development of a comprehensive curriculum that is aligned to state/national standards and a scope of services that help make the curriculum accessible to all students, in cooperation with staff and district administration.
• Establishes a comprehensive program to evaluate and guide improvement efforts for the operations of the SPED department.
• Reviews and approves referrals to special education and SPED Homebound services.
• Coordinates safe and efficient transformation for students served by the SPED program
• Makes SPED employee recommendations to the Superintendent/Board of Education.
• Coordinates the acquisition and/or installation of specialized equipment or modifications to classrooms for SPED students.
• Monitors and participates in the development of IEPs to ensure accuracy, completeness, and implementation according to local, state and federal regulations.
• Assists, educates, band directs school administrators, teachers, and other system personnel in matters specifically related to the implementation of federal and state laws and regulations involving special education.
• Coordinates activities with mental health agencies, hospitals, and other community agencies which directly involves SPED students and/ or programs.
• Coordinates and leads activities for the creation and support of district and school data teams.
• Serves as back-up to district Accountability Officer.
• Uses assessment data to ensure that instructional practices are increasing readiness for honors, Advancement Placement, Dual Enrollment and Early College opportunities.
• Ensures equitable practices are in place for gifted education identification.
• Assists with the implementation and directions of the Pre-K-12 curricular program relative to areas of responsibilities.
• Adhere to federal, state, local and board rules and regulations.
• Other duties as assigned by the Superintendent, which are consistent with the general requirements and qualifications of the position.

Terms of Employment: Twelve-month position in accordance with Board approved salary schedule.

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the State Department of Education and/or Selma City School's policy on evaluation of certified personnel.