Waltham Public Schools

Waltham MA

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: Interim Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and Student Services

JOB GOALS:

The Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and Student Services oversees the delivery of special education and student services for students in all grades pre-K to 12 and post-secondary where applicable. These include: special education and related services; school health and nursing services; counseling and social work services; clinical and mental/behavioral health services and ADA/504 services. The Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and Student Services collaborates with the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction to promote best practices and to ensure all curriculum and instruction is accessible universally designed and inclusive for all students.

Qualifications:

• Massachusetts Certification as a Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent or the ability to readily attain these certifications.

• Advanced degree in educational administration or appropriate discipline.

• Broad working knowledge of child development learning theory specialized and research-based interventions/methodologies data analysis strategic planning and personnel practices.

• Effective interpersonal and leadership skills; experience facilitating group decision-making and communication.

• Experience developing and implementing professional development programs.

• Experience in creating and supporting special programs.

• A minimum of 5-7 years experience as a school administrator and a minimum of 5 years experience as a special education teacher and/or specialist preferred.

• Excellent leadership administrative and financial management skills.

• Thorough knowledge of federal and state statutes and regulations relating to the delivery of student services.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Special Education Department

• Provide leadership and supervision in the management of a continuum of special education services for students ages 3-21 including preschool programs. (when you turn 22 your entitlement terminates)

• Provide leadership in program planning for all students in need of special education services

• Consult with Special Education Directors and Building Administrators in implementing instructional support services accommodations and interventions for diverse learners.

• Exercise responsibility for the evaluation and maintenance of records of students referred for special education services.

• Oversee all Child Find activities related to special education including Part C to Part B referral and transition eligible parentally placed private school students and other eligible students.

• In supervision of the Out-of-District Coordinator and in collaboration with the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations monitor the placement of students requiring out-of-district placements and ensure such placements are consistent with special education laws and are fiscally responsible decisions.

• Keep current with developments in Education Law Special Education Law and instruction strategies/techniques and provide leadership in determining their impact on instructional programming.

• Collaborate with the Supervisor of Transportation to provide transportation services for all students who require transportation.

• Cooperate with all parent and other community groups and work closely with the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) which includes regular meetings and communication with SEPAC. Maintain communication with special education parents/guardians.

Nursing Counseling SEL and General Duties

• Supervise and evaluate the Director of Nursing and the Director of School Counseling PreK-12 and other Directors of Student Services as assigned.

• Collaborate with the Director of Nursing on appropriate staffing levels for nurses throughout the District.

• Work closely with the Director of School Counseling and District Administrators and faculty to assess and improve curriculum and resources for SEL and mental health.

• Identify and implement professional development programs in conjunction with the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and District Administrative Team.

• Manage the budget for the Special Education and Student Services Department. Collaborate with the Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations and Manager of Grants on the funding sources for the programs within the Special Education and Student Services Department.

• Recommend appropriate staffing levels and identify staffing needs for the Special Education and Student Services Department. Recommend staff appointments promotions and dismissals when necessary with the assistance of other District and Building Administrators.

• Represent the District or assign a designee as needed in legal matters including but not limited to adjudicated youth cases Due Process and other BSEA matters OSEP/civil rights complaints and other matters related to special populations under the umbrella of Student Services.

• Manage all DESE compliance activities related to Student Services including Proportionate Share Circuit Breaker Indicators Grants and Tiered Focus Monitoring.

• Develop and direct Nursing Services program and clinical programs in mental and behavioral health consistent with state mandates School Committee policy and best practices (eg. APA NASP BACB NASW).

• Interpret existing policies and regulations to staff and make recommendations concerning the formulation and update of policies and regulations.

• Act as the Title IX Coordinator for the District

• In collaboration with the District Attendance Officer monitor attendance of students in order to enforce and protect their rights to a free and appropriate public education.

• Act as the foster care point of contact.

• Oversee Home Hospital Tutoring services for students who require tutoring when out of school in accordance with state regulations.

• Organize and direct the maintenance of all student records and reporting of student data in compliance with state and federal laws.

• Support the Districts Strategic Plan and Diversity Equity and Inclusion goals and lead a Department that is actively anti-racist in collaboration with the Executive Team

• Serve as a member of the Superintendents Executive Team

• Attend School Committee meetings and other necessary District meetings.

• Perform all related additional duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools.

DESE license Assistant Superintendent/Superintendent required.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

Highly diverse and complex duties. Must have high tolerance for change and the ability to work on several projects and assignments concurrently. Strong interpersonal skills required in working with diverse groups. Must have initiative and assume responsibility for working productively with minimal supervision.

Must have the ability to sit for extended periods of time in a busy office environment; exhibit manual dexterity to enter data into a computer terminal; to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone; speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in person and on the telephone; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; physical agility to lift up to 25 pounds.

Status: Exempt

Location: Central Office

Salary Range: $175000-$190000 Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

12 Month position non-represented

Reports to the Superintendent of Schools

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change).

Non-Discrimination Notice: Waltham Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race color religion disability national origin gender gender identity or sexual orientation.

Waltham Public Schools has partnered with the Massachusetts Partnership for Diversity in Education (MPDE) in our effort to welcome diverse candidates to our school system. We value and prioritize the hiring of educators who bring a wealth of perspectives and experiences to our schools and who reflect the diversity of the students we serve. MPDE is a collaborative of public school districts with a 40-year uninterrupted history committed to supporting the interest of its members to increase the numbers of teachers of color for their schools by providing recruitment support and related services.