Supervisor of Special Education

Caledonia Community School District•Caledonia, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisor of Special Education provides districtwide leadership, coordination, supervision, and compliance support for programs and services for students with disabilities. Working with the Director of Special Programs, building administrators, Kent ISD, staff, families, and community partners, the Supervisor supports consistent implementation of IDEA, MARSE, Section 504, district procedures, and applicable state and federal requirements. The role's primary areas of responsibility include coordinating center-based placements with Kent ISD; overseeing Section 504; monitoring and auditing IDEA compliance; coaching special education teams through the least restrictive environment (LRE) continuum using a PLC framework; and coordinating nonpublic school services and Child Find responsibilities. The Supervisor also supports special education procedures and continuous improvement, assists with compliance-related processes, and maintains current knowledge of applicable law, guidance, and evidence-based practices. Regular attendance is an essential function.

Requirements

Meet, or be eligible to meet, Michigan requirements for approval as a Supervisor of Special Education under MARSE R 340.1772 (Rule 72).
Master's degree or higher.
Full approval in at least one area of special education.
Three years of successful experience in special education.
For full approval, completion of twelve semester or equivalent hours of approved graduate credit addressing curriculum and instruction; administrative procedures; personnel supervision and evaluation; communication; leadership of professional development; facilitation of effective instruction; data-based program improvement; school law and policy; and parent/family collaboration.
Verification from a Michigan-approved college or university preparation program for special education supervisors.
Candidates eligible for temporary approval must meet applicable MARSE R 340.1772 requirements, including enrollment verification in an approved supervisor preparation program and continued progress toward full approval.
Strong knowledge of federal and Michigan special education law, policy, and program and service requirements.
Ability to interpret complex legal, procedural, and student data and translate requirements into clear, practical guidance for staff and families.
Ability to evaluate program effectiveness and recommend data-based improvements.
Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to build positive, collaborative relationships with students, families, staff, administrators, ISD partners, and community agencies.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and high-stakes matters with sound judgment, discretion, professionalism, and attention to detail.
Commitment to inclusive practices, meaningful family participation, continuous learning, and high expectations for students with disabilities.

Nice To Haves

Experience in special education administration, program supervision, compliance monitoring, or district-level leadership.
Demonstrated knowledge of IDEA, MARSE, Section 504, LRE, special education evaluation and eligibility, disciplinary protections, and procedural safeguards.
Experience coordinating center-based or regional special education placements and collaborating with an intermediate school district.
Experience coaching special education teams through the LRE continuum using a PLC or collaborative problem-solving framework, including support for neighborhood-school services and specialized categorical placements.
Experience coordinating nonpublic service plans, staff allocations, and Child Find referrals for students enrolled in nonpublic schools.
Experience developing and implementing Section 504 systems and staff training.
Experience conducting IEP or compliance audits, analyzing special education data, and leading corrective or continuous-improvement efforts.

Responsibilities

Lead district coordination for students considered for, placed in, or transitioning from Kent ISD center-based programs, ensuring decisions are individualized, data-informed, and consistent with FAPE and LRE requirements.
Serve as the primary district liaison with Kent ISD for center-based referrals, placement processes, openings, intake requirements, transportation, transition planning, and ongoing communication.
Partner with IEP teams and families to review student needs, document the placement continuum, and consider supplementary aids, services, and less restrictive options before referrals when applicable.
Monitor students in center-based programs and coordinate annual reviews, reevaluations, return-to-district planning, and placement changes.
Maintain accurate center-based placement records, timelines, documentation, and district data.
Lead or coordinate district Section 504 implementation, including referral, evaluation, eligibility, accommodation planning, implementation, reevaluation, discipline, and procedural safeguards.
Provide consultation, coaching, and professional learning about Section 504 requirements and the distinction between IDEA and Section 504.
Monitor Section 504 plans and processes for timely completion, documentation, implementation fidelity, and nondiscrimination.
Support resolution of parent concerns, staff questions, and complex Section 504 matters with district leadership.
Conduct recurring audits of student records and special education data to identify trends, systemic concerns, and needs for corrective action or professional learning.
Monitor IDEA and MARSE timelines and obligations, including evaluations, reevaluations, annual IEPs, transition requirements, disciplinary removals, and manifestation determinations.
Collaborate with case managers, related service providers, building administrators, and the Director of Special Programs to address compliance concerns and verify corrections.
Coordinate and support federal, state, Kent ISD, and district monitoring activities, including general supervision, corrective action, data validation, and documentation requests.
Provide technical assistance and professional development on IEP development, PLAAFPs, measurable annual goals, services, supplementary aids and services, LRE, progress monitoring, evaluation practices, and procedural safeguards.
Coach special education teams using the PLC framework to identify student needs, review implementation and outcome data, and match services and supports to the level needed for meaningful progress.
Facilitate problem-solving among IEP teams, administrators, general education staff, related service providers, and families to strengthen supports and implementation in students' neighborhood schools.
Guide individualized, data-informed placement decisions without using service intensity, disability category, staffing availability, or program location as predetermined criteria.
Support decisions about neighborhood-school services and specialized categorical programming when required for FAPE, including transitions toward less restrictive environments when appropriate.
Oversee development, implementation, review, and documentation of nonpublic service plans for eligible parentally placed students with disabilities.
Coordinate and monitor nonpublic school staff allocations and service-provider assignments, including schedules, caseloads, service delivery, documentation, and communication.
Coordinate Child Find referrals for students enrolled in nonpublic schools, including referral review, evaluation coordination, timelines, records, and communication.
Maintain nonpublic-school records and data, monitor implementation and compliance, and collaborate with the Director of Special Programs to resolve related concerns.
Support the Director of Special Programs in implementing and continuously improving district special education procedures, programs, and services.
Assist with state complaints, mediation, due process, disciplinary matters, and other compliance-related processes as assigned.
Maintain current knowledge of IDEA, MARSE, Section 504, FERPA, applicable state law, MDE and Kent ISD guidance, and evidence-based special education practices.
Attend district, county, regional, and state meetings, workshops, and professional learning as appropriate.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Special Programs.