Director of Student Services

Ashland Public Schools • Ashland, MA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Student Services is responsible for overseeing and ensuring compliance with all special education programming, student support services, and related federal and Massachusetts state regulations, including IDEA, Section 504, and DESE requirements. The position provides leadership and supervision for special education staff, related service providers, and district-wide student support systems while collaborating closely with administrators, educators, families, and community agencies to promote equitable access to education for all students. Responsibilities include managing special education budgets, coordinating and directly overseeing some out-of-district placements and transportation, facilitating the IEP processes, overseeing evaluations and compliance timelines, and supporting the implementation of inclusive practices and behavioral interventions across the district. The Director also serves as a member of the district leadership team, supporting professional development, problem-solving support, and overall planning to enhance students' academic, social-emotional, and behavioral outcomes.

Requirements

• Licensed, or eligible for licensure as a Special Education Administrator by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
• Master's Degree in Special Education or a related field
• Successful administrative experience in special education
• Experience working in special education
• Licensed, or eligible for and able to be licensed by position start date, as an Assistant Superintendent or Superintendent by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
• Experience leading professional development and supporting educator growth
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills
• Ability to work effectively with administrators, staff, families, and community stakeholders
• Understanding of navigating the budget and upholding fiscal responsibility
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may deem appropriate and consistent with state licensure requirements

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) strategies and their implementation

Responsibilities

• Developing, implementing, supervising, and/or evaluating all programs, policies, and services in the Department of Student Services
• Assures compliance with all state and federal laws, regulations, and reporting requirements
• Develops and manages the Student Services budget, writes related state and federal grants, and supports data collection for Circuit Breaker and Medicaid reimbursements
• Works collaboratively with other administrators in the selection, supervision, evaluation, and/or training of Student Services staff
• Coordinates transportation for students with disabilities
• Works collaboratively with parents, the Special Education Advisory Council (SEPAC), the ACCEPT Collaborative, 766-approved facilities, state and federal agencies, and other organizations to support students with disabilities
• Facilitates the development, revision, and evaluation of the district's special services programs and all related services
• Assists building principals in the recruiting, interviewing, hiring, assigning, and evaluation (under intensive review) of special education
• Prepares, coordinates, and administers the special education and federal program budgets
• Responsible for the preparation, submission, and implementation of all grants pertaining to special education and early childhood education
• Preparation of state reports necessary for state reimbursement and similar fiscal matters
• Ability to prepare district-level special services reports that are required by law or are requested by the Superintendent
• Supervises the preparation and implementation of all Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and ensures the availability of appropriate services
• Receives, investigates, mediates, and processes complaints under IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Ensures complete and cumulative individual records for all students receiving special services or enrolled in special classes
• Coordinates the district’s special services program (ages 3-22), Preschool to grade 12(+) in conjunction with the Superintendent, principals, teachers, and staff
• Recommends new special services programs based on identified students' needs and identified community or government resources
• Arranges transportation for all children requiring special-needs transportation and out-of-district educational placements
• Recruits, hires, supervises, and evaluates district-level special education staff, including Special Education Administrators, Related Services Providers, and the Early Childhood Special Education Administrator
• Oversees the referral process for students in need of out-of-district placements
• Maintains requirements for out-of-district oversight established by DESE
• Coordinates services and maintains connections with students and families who have been identified under the McKinney-Vento Act
• Prepares applications for external funding and related reports for special education services and federal programs
• Prepares and monitors special education and student services budgets
• Submits referrals to other agencies whose services complement or extend those of the district and coordinates special education services with private and other agencies and private schools
• Recommends, interprets, and implements the district’s policies and procedures in the area of student services
• Manages student services administrative functions to maintain safe, efficient school operations in accordance with district guidelines
• Maintains a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality when dealing with student, staff, and/or parent information
• Serves as a consultant to staff/principals regarding special services
• Participates in parent conferences upon request from other administrators or teachers
• Represents the district at local, county, and state levels in matters related to special services
• Recommends policies and procedures essential to special education and federally funded programs
• Communicates to school administrators and staff information about each program and information about changes or developments within each ongoing program
• Regular visits to all physical sites within the school district where special programs are conducted during hours when the programs are in operation
• Develops and initiates survey programs to continuously identify (Child Find) children with learning differences
• Supervises and coordinates home instruction for homebound or hospitalized students
• Assists with the development, implementation, and evaluation of effective alternative programs for students at-risk
• Prepares various written documents (e.g., correspondence, reports, analyses, etc.) for the purpose of providing written support and/or conveying information as required
• Keeps current with the Pre-K-12 courses of study, the district’s scope and sequence framework, and state standards/guidelines
• Promotes the continuity of the instructional program
• Provides insights about the progression of student skills and key contributions made by staff at each level
• Provides ongoing professional development workshops for all special education staff to better serve students' special needs and provide guidance
• Coordinates staff development programs with the Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for special education, to include an annual needs assessment and the arranging of all in-service activities
• Encourages parent organizations and supports school-sponsored activities
• Participates in Parent Advisory Council meetings
• Attends meetings with the School Committee and community as requested
• Coordinates with other departments to implement and maintain an integrated student database
• Serves as liaison between the district and community, interpreting activities and policies of the district, and encouraging community involvement with the district
• Establishes annual goals and objectives as deemed appropriate by the Superintendent
• Assumes responsibility for own professional growth and development; for keeping current with the literature, new research findings, and improved techniques; and for attending required state and professional meetings
• Preparing reports and presentations for the Superintendent, School Committee, staff, and families
• Attends school committee meetings as required
• Performing other duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools
• Schedules summer services and summer programming, hires appropriate staff, interviews new hires, and coordinates commitment with all students who are eligible to attend

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director