Director of Extended School Year Special Education Programming (ESY) (Internal Candidates Preferred), Salem Public Schools, Salem, MA [SY 2025-2026]

Salem Public Schools•Salem, MA

2d•$5,800 - $6,800

About The Position

About Salem Public Schools , where belonging leads to opportunity. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district enrolling nearly 4,000 students in 10 schools. Our vision is to ensure that all students will be locally engaged, globally connected, and fully prepared to thrive in a diverse and changing world. We hold dear our core values of belonging, equity , and opportunity in everything we do. We seek individuals who are passionate about urban education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement for all students, regardless of ability, economic status, gender/gender identity, language, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other backgrounds. We invite you to learn more about our strategic plan and core priorities on our website at https://salemk12.org/ . Position Summary: The Director of Special Education ESY leads the specialized summer programming for Salem Public Schools (SPS), providing high-quality experiences for students with disabilities who require extended school year services. The director ensures that services are provided in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), with a focus on direct, specialized instruction for students from preschool through age 22. The Director collaborates with district leadership and the Summer Special Education Coordinator of ESY to ensure strict compliance with IDEA and Massachusetts regulations while fostering a culture of high expectations, equity, and authentic engagement with families.

Requirements

Required Massachusetts teaching certification/licensure in Special Education Administrator/Director.
Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred.
5+ years of professional, relevant administrative/supervisory school experience working with students with disabilities across a wide range of ages and abilities.
Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement (required within 1 year of start).
In-depth knowledge of IDEA and related Federal/MA statutes; proficiency in IEP software (eSped).
Exceptional oral and written communication skills
Ability to walk around the premises, stoop, bend, climb stairs, and kneel.
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk or standing during program supervision.
Ability to occasionally lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds (packages/equipment); rarely up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual proficiency (Spanish and/or Portuguese) is a significant plus.

Responsibilities

Lead and supervise all summer special education staff, including teachers, paraprofessionals, and related service providers, ensuring all instructional and enrichment activities are implemented with fidelity.
Assist in the screening, hiring, and assigning of summer program staff.
Coordinate and deliver targeted professional development and conduct staff meetings as necessary for the proper function of the summer program.
Conduct formal and informal evaluations of special education staff and programs in collaboration with district administration.
Supervise the special education process from implementation to progress reporting; oversee the development and distribution of IEP information.
Chair IEP Team meetings as needed and act as the Local Educational Agency (LEA) representative.
Maintain complete and accurate student files and electronic IEP databases (e.g., Frontline/eSped).
Supervise the maintenance of attendance and academic progress data; provide data for DESE reporting, audits, and inquiries.
Maintain a safe, healthy, and positive environment, ensuring behavioral supports (including ABA and social skills development) are consistently applied.
Provide ongoing, two-way communication with parents and families to support program access and address issues effectively.
Collaborate with all Summer Program Directors and the Executive Director of Special Education to align summer services with district-wide initiatives.
Assess all summer activities and provide data-driven recommendations to improve future programming.