Director of Student Services

The Canton Public Schools is seeking an exceptional and dynamic candidate to serve as the Director of Student Services for the upcoming school year beginning in July 2026. The Director of Student Services will join a vibrant and supportive team that places a high priority on collaboration creativity flexibility and commitment to the goals of the District and to our students families and staff.

Canton Public Schools is seeking a visionary and dedicated Director of Student Services to lead our comprehensive special education and student support programs. The successful candidate will be a champion for equity ensuring that every student has the opportunities and resources necessary to meet their full potential. This role requires a sophisticated blend of legal expertise fiscal responsibility and compassionate leadership to serve our at-risk populations and students with specialized learning needs.

The Canton Public Schools are an inclusive community for all students and staff and serve over 3100 students in grades PreK-12 and our 18-22 programming. The Canton Public Schools are elevating the educational experience for our students by cultivating a school culture and climate that promotes academic growth and social emotional learning for every student and ensures high quality teaching and learning through the purposeful design of rigorous and equitable student experiences.

We are eager to find the next member of our team who collaborates with other educators to create the conditions necessary so that every child experiences the true joy of learning the excitement of achievement areas of passion and an authentic sense of belonging in their school.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Student Services is responsible for the comprehensive oversight development and administration of the Districts Special Education programs and support services. Reporting directly to the Superintendent the Director ensures that all studentsparticularly those identified as at-risk or requiring specialized instructionhave equitable access to high-quality educational opportunities.

This role balances regulatory compliance with instructional leadership requiring a deep expertise in state and federal special education laws and the ability to translate those mandates into effective student-centered programming.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Programmatic Leadership & Compliance: Monitors the identification of eligible students and ensures that all services are delivered in strict accordance with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The Director serves as the primary authority on special education law and district policy.
• Fiscal & Resource Management: Administers the annual budget for Special Education and MLL services. This involves managing Circuit Breaker reimbursements federal grants Medicaid claims and contracts for specialized transportation and independent evaluations. This includes securing revenue through state and federal grants overseeing specialized transportation logistics and ensuring the efficient use of resources.
• Personnel Development: Directs a comprehensive leadership team including Assistant Director Team Chairs the Nurse Leader and Related Service Providers. Recruits trains and supervises specialized student services collaboration with the Superintendent and Principals the Director designs professional development initiatives for teachers paraprofessionals and other student services staff to foster an inclusive learning environment.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Acts as a vital bridge between the District and the community. This involves leading the Canton Advisory Council for Student Services (CPACSS) collaborating with community and state networks and serving as the District Liaison for external placements.
• Data Administration: Oversees the collection and reporting of critical compliance data for the Department of Education ensuring that all District practices meet rigorous state standards.

Qualifications

1. Masters Degree in an appropriate field
2. Massachusetts Certification as an Administrator of Special Education
3. Experience supervising Special Education programs
4. Five (5) years administrative and supervisory experience (including budget preparation and fiscal management)
5. Ability to work as a member of a highly functioning team
6. A proven ability to relate to a variety of constituencies including but not limited to administrators parents teachers school committee members other school staff human service and governmental agencies.
7. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
8. Well-organized with excellent leadership abilities
9. Exceptional interpersonal and presentation skills
10. Working knowledge of relevant technologies: internet and email systems; word processing presentation and spreadsheet software; and educational software
11. Employment-based on successful completion of CORI and fingerprinting background
12. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the school department may find appropriate and acceptable

REPORTS TO: Superintendent of Schools

SUPERVISES: Assistant Director of Student Services/Student Services Staff

WORK YEAR: Full year

COMPENSATION: Competitive salary and benefit package available; position range $150000-$170000

If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position or how this would be determined please feel free to reach out to the below contact for this position to discuss your application. For the full job description and responsibilities please click here.

Required Experience:

Director