Director of Special Education

BEACHWOOD BOARD OF EDUCATION JOB DESCRIPTION

Position: Director of Special Education

Reports to: Director of Pupil Services & HR

Employment Status: Supervisory Contract Position

Position Summary

• Provide leadership and coordination for the administration of the district's special education and related services programs
• Oversee and evaluate special education staff and related service providers
• Ensure district compliance with federal and state special education laws and regulations

Required Education, Experience & Qualifications

• Master's Degree or higher
• Valid Ohio Administrative License
• Three years of administrative experience preferred
• Meet all current requirements of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
• Meet all health requirements mandated by law
• Satisfactory completion of the BCII and FBI background check
• Possession of a valid motor vehicle license

Job Responsibilities & Duties

• Coordinate and administer special education programs in accordance with District policies and administrative guidelines, Operating Standards for Ohio Schools and the provisions of State and Federal Law
• Coordinate the special education services, school psychology services, preschool special education, occupational/physical therapy services, speech and language services, and related services in cooperation with building principals
• Provide direction for and ensure compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) as it relates to students.
• Attend Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings as the District Representative when warranted, assisting and advising principals with program compliance and best practices, assisting with maintaining related student records, and investigating and resolving complaints.
• Assist in the investigation and resolution of special education complaints, due process matters, and parent concerns
• Coordinate the Non-Public School evaluations and development of IEPs and collaborate with the Non-Public School Administration to manage the non-public portion of federal grants and auxiliary services.
• Coordinate services to students with disabilities enrolled in nonpublic schools
• Coordinate the professional development for the special education and pupil service staff in conjunction with the Director of Pupil Services & HR and Director of Curriculum & Instruction
• Administer all necessary data collection, record keeping, EMIS reporting, and compliance reporting related to special education services as required by the Ohio Department of Education, United States Department of Education, and the District
• Collaborate with principals, teachers, related service providers, and families to support student achievement and appropriate programming
• Monitor caseloads, service delivery, timelines, and procedural safeguards to ensure compliance and effective student support
• Meet with intervention specialists on a regular basis as part of a professional learning community (PLC)
• Assist with recruitment and interviewing of special education staff in collaboration with district administration
• Schedule, collaborate with, and evaluate related services staff (OT, PT, Speech-Language Pathologists, Audiologist, and others as determined by the Director of Pupil Services & HR)
• Serve as liaison to community agencies and organizations related to special education and student services
• Serve as a liaison to local, state, and national organizations
• Perform all other duties relative to the position as assigned by the Director of Pupil Services & HR

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of Federal and Ohio School law
• Skill in organizing and problem-solving
• Skill in interacting with members of the public with sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy
• Ability to organize effectively and to react productively to interruptions and changing conditions
• Ability to establish respect and cooperation with members of the community
• Ability to interact in a positive manner with staff, students, parents, and the public
• Ability to build consensus among diverse groups of people

Personal & Professional Conduct Requirements

• The employee shall exercise honesty and integrity in their relationship with the Board of Education and the administration.
• The employee shall follow any applicable licensure code of conduct.
• The employee shall immediately report known and suspected misconduct of their co-workers or violations of Board policy and procedure by their co-workers.
• The employee shall actively support the efforts of the Board of Education, Superintendent, and Treasurer/CFO in the pursuit of the District's mission, goals, activities, and interests.
• The employee shall not disrupt District operations or undermine the District's mission, goals, activities, and interests.
• The employee shall interact in a positive manner with staff, students, and the public and promote a positive image of the District through exemplary personal and professional conduct by:
• Communicating clearly and effectively both orally and in writing, with tact, diplomacy, and excellent grammar;
• Demonstrating intercultural awareness and cultural competency;
• Using effective listening skills; and
• Remaining free of any alcohol or controlled substance abuse and the influence or aftereffects thereof in the workplace or at school events and activities

Physical Demands

• Ability to hear and speak, read and write, sit and/or stand for extended periods of time, use hands to operate a computer and other equipment, kneel, bend at the waist, reach overhead - above the shoulders and horizontally, to retrieve and store files and supplies, ability to lift, carry, push and pull items up to a maximum of fifty (50) pounds.

Free Speech

• While the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment protects speech relating to matters of public importance made by public employees as citizens, the First Amendment does not protect employee speech made pursuant to their official duties. Employees may be subject to discipline for speech pursuant to the official duties outlined in their Job Description and any applicable licensure code of conduct.