Director of Special Education (D.O.S.E.)

Basic Function:

To direct, coordinate and monitor all district programs for exceptional children, Title I, Preschool program, 504’s, Homeless and CWTP  (community work transition program) to assure that needs of children are met and the district maintains compliance with all federal and state requirements.

Performance Responsibilities:

• Directs implementation of special education programs in the school district.
• Prepare such applications and/or reports as may be required by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) or other federal requirements to assure that the school district receives all possible financial support for assigned programs.
• Interpret the objectives and programs of the assigned programs to the Board, the administration, the staff and the public at large.
• Comply with federal, state and district program guidelines, policies, procedures and laws.
• Provide oversight for compiling, maintaining and filing all reports, records, and other documents legally required or administratively useful.
• Directs the determination and implementation of program needs of students and makes appropriate recommendations and follow-ups with evaluation of such programs.
• Reports on the status of district special education programs and services at the request of the Superintendent.
• Oversees testing and placement of all special education students.
• Develop and maintain complete and cumulative individual records of all children receiving special services or enrolled in special classes.
• Considers and evaluates all requests from school personnel for projects and programs requiring Special Education, IDEA-B funds.  Establishes standard practices and procedures for receiving and processing such requests.
• Evaluates on a regular basis programs in areas of responsibility.
• Serves as liaison with other district and outside entities.
• Remains up-to-date and advises staff of laws and requirements regarding those federal programs and funds available to the schools in areas of responsibility.
• Develops and administers a budget and expenditure control for special education, IDEA-B programs.
• Facilitates the teaching/learning process through the regular review and implementation of the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) to assure program continuity specifically for all special education programs/students.
• Monitors instruction, resources, materials and technology and makes recommendations for utilization with students in special education, Title I, 504’s and the Preschool Program.
• Makes recommendations, disseminates and provides oversight of implementation of policies and procedures governing programs assigned.
• Provides oversight of Administrative Admissions and Release Committee meetings and attends meetings when needed.
• Compiles list of students to be re-evaluated and assign re-evaluations to the appropriate staff.
• Maintains a current central tracking system regarding identification, evaluation and placement of students with disabilities including a current class roster of student placement.
• Serves as a resource in assisting special education teachers, regular teachers, administrators and support personnel with their roles in the instruction of exceptional children.
• Makes recommendations to the Superintendent as to assignment of special education units, teachers and instructional assistants for classrooms serving students with disabilities.
• Assists Director of Transportation with special arrangements for exceptional students’ transportation within and out of the District.
• Participates in required professional development and trainings as assigned or approved for professional job growth, to remain abreast of program requirements responsibilities and to improve services and education of students.
• Monitors Medicaid billing procedures, trains staff and serves as District Medicaid compliance officer.
• Provide guidance and conducts random review of due process folders in the individual schools for documentation in accordance with state and federal guidelines. Monitors the services provided to Raceland-Worthington Independent students with disabilities who are not directly assigned to a Raceland-Worthington Independent school, e.g. students in non-public school settings or home-based program and students placed outside the Raceland-Worthington Independent school district.
• Provides training and assists staff with the implementation of regulations involving confidential information.
• Receives and assigns referrals for physical therapy and occupational therapy services.
• Supervises and provides performance evaluations for assigned personnel.
• Implements and supervises ongoing Child Find program and activities.
• Utilizes auxiliary services, parental involvement, community agencies, and all available resources to enhance total services for students with disabilities.
• Notifies the public through use of the media about services for children with disabilities in the community.
• Monitors financial budgets, make requisition and directs payments of claims and billings.
• Submit required reports to KDE.
• Communicates with the Department of Education on special education class sizes, and submits requests for membership exceptions.
• Provides for professional development and in-service training for teachers, administrators and others who work with students with disabilities.
• Observes new teachers and makes recommendations upon request.
• Assists support personnel (psychologists, physical therapists, counselors, etc.) with their roles in the educational program.
• Implements curriculum review and development, including textbooks/materials selection for students with disabilities.
• Schedules related service personnel and psychologists at individual schools.
• Assists with grant writing to obtain additional funding for services for students with disabilities.
• Trains and assists staff in appropriate due process procedures. Develops and provides due process forms.
• Assists staff with the implementation of regulation involving confidential information.
• Responds to parents regarding the evaluation and placement of their children.
• Consults with staff, parents, and outside agencies regarding Special Education students and programs offered.
• Monitor staff caseloads and student progress.
• Assist in recruitment, selection and recommendation for hiring of special education personnel.
• Provide leadership in establishing new programs and developing improved understanding of existing programs.
• Develop and initiate survey programs for continuous identification of exceptional children.
• Develop procedures for referral, securing medical reports, psychological examination, and student placement in special education programs.
• Evaluates on an ongoing basis, the total special education program, procedures and individual student’s needs and achievements.

 Other Job Responsibilities:

• Be neat, clean and professionally dressed.
• Be consistently responsible-maintaining regular punctual attendance and timely completion of assigned duties, working assigned contract and extended days and using sick and personal leave appropriately.
• Maintain professional interpersonal skills using tact, patience, courtesy and cooperative effective relationships with others consistently displaying self-control, honesty and credibility with parents, students, visitors and school personnel.
• Act as a district liaison demonstrating positive behavior, interest and concern toward the programs, purposes, goals and efficient operation of Raceland-Worthington Independent Schools.
• Follow the procurement guidelines and purchase order process.
• Disseminate information/resources in areas of responsibilities.
• Supervises and provides performance evaluations for assigned personnel.
• Maintain proper care and safe use of district equipment and property.
• Participate in required professional development and trainings as assigned or approved for professional job growth, to remain abreast of program requirements/responsibilities and to improve student educational services.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy of all school records.
• Is familiar with and incorporates the use of technology in daily tasks.
• Adheres with federal, state and district program guidelines, policies, procedures and laws.
• Adheres to the State Professional Code of Ethics.
• Perform other tasks and assume other responsibilities as may be assigned by the Superintendent.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

• Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and skill is qualifying.

 CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT

• Kentucky Dept. of Education Professional Certification for Director of Special Education with Masters

 EVALUATION:

• Performance will be evaluated annually by the Superintendent.

 TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Salary commensurate with the Raceland-Worthington Independent Schools certified salary schedule and Administrator responsibility factor schedule.
• 225 days per year

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job classification.  They are not intended to be a complete list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so assigned.  Responsibilities and duties assigned are at the discretion of the Superintendent.