The Director of Student Services coordinates all Student Services programming, including special education, nursing, English Language Learners, guidance, homeschool, and counseling within the District. They will ensure compliance with Special Education laws and regulations at the state and federal levels. They will manage and support, with principals, all special education, guidance, counseling, and nursing personnel. They will develop a vision for special education, guidance, and counseling programming with the school community, including short-term and long-term goals based on ongoing program evaluation. Funding opportunities are sought via state, federal, and private grant applications to support innovative programs that enhance the educational process within the Leicester Public Schools.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:The Director of Student Services shall:
- Lead and implement strategic vision for district and school based programming and program implementation;
- Anticipate and develop programming to meet student needs in the least restrictive environment, including but not limited to development of inclusive programming for students with disabilities;
- Arranges for providing appropriate services for all special education students in accordance with individualized educational plans; and designs, implements, evaluates and maintains a program of special education services in the district.;
- Supervise and coordinate all Out of District Student Placements;
- Works closely with the Superintendent and Director of Finance and Business in ensuring solid fiscal practices and compliance with State and Federal regulations and District policies, monitors preparation of Circuit Breaker submission and Medicaid reimbursement, and provides necessary training to ensure staff compliance;
- Develop, prepare, and administer special education budgets with district administrators and monitor monthly expenditures, including but not limited to identifying, writing, and managing competitive and non-competitive grant opportunities;
- Formulate and develop procedures for screening, education and placement of all students in all programs;
- Coordinate procedures for placement, transfer, and termination of students in special needs programs;
- Manage transportation for children placed in special programs outside the district, and also for children requiring special transportation within the School system;
- Represent the District and cooperate with public and private agencies, organizations, and professional personnel in securing and providing services for children with special needs and provide reports of such activities and content of any meetings;
- Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding special education, Section 504 regulations, and civil rights, including but not limited to the completion of all reports required by the district and the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education;
- Oversee the assessment of and coordination of training for paraprofessionals and Student Services personnel aligned with research-based best practices, including the supervision and evaluation of administrators and other staff as directed, and the organization, planning, and delivery of professional development to support mandatory training;
- Supervise and assign all special services personnel, special program teachers, psychologists, and itinerant teachers/nurses;
- Performs any other duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools.
