Director of Ellipsis and Johnston Therapeutic Program

JOB SUMMARY: The Director of Ellipsis and Johnston Therapeutic Program (JTP) provides leadership supervision and on-site administration of two specialized district educational programs serving students with intensive social emotional behavioral and mental health needs.

• Ellipsis operates as a Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) in partnership with the district. The Director serves as the district lead for the educational component of the Ellipsis partnership with authority over instruction staffing educational compliance and student transitions while maintaining a clear distinction from clinical and residential operations.
• The Johnston Therapeutic Program provides K8 therapeutic learning classrooms focused on social emotional behavioral and mental health (SEBMH) skill development integrated with academic instruction.

Across both programs the Director ensures high-quality instruction; compliance with state and federal regulations; effective staffing and fiscal oversight; and coordinated transitions that support educational continuity and reintegration. The role requires strong collaboration with families home schools district departments and community partners to ensure students remain engaged in learning and on track for long-term success.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 220 days

QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters degree in School Administration required
• Valid Professional Administrator License with appropriate endorsement required (PK-8 Principal and 5-12 Principal; or PK-12 Principal/PK-12 Special Education Supervisor)
• Valid Evaluator Approval certification
• Minimum of four years of successful teaching experience required
• Minimum of two years of related successful administrative experience required
• Experience with residential education alternative settings or therapeutic programs preferred
• Experience with interagency or multi-system collaboration preferred

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Student Services

• Maintain high standards of student conduct attendance and engagement; enforce discipline in accordance with district policy and state law.
• Facilitate regular communication and collaboration with families home schools district leadership and external agencies regarding student progress placement and transitions.
• Oversight of student referral placement transition and reintegration processes including observation planning and monitoring.
• Demonstrate awareness of and responsiveness to diverse student populations and at-risk student needs.
• Collaborate with the Director of SEBMH and the Director of Special Education to review student needs program capacity continuum of services and staffing.
• Ensure fidelity of program implementation through data collection observations and established review processes; provide professional learning and modeling to home school staff as appropriate.
• Evaluate school-based programs including student placement staffing and alignment with special education and accommodation programming.
• Participate in IEP meetings including documentation for prior written notices maintaining IEP checklists and managing caseload determination records.
• Oversee student accounting systems including registration scheduling attendance grading and records.
• Coordinate with Student Transportation of America regarding student transportation services and concerns.
• Collaborate with the Director of Student Services to support students experiencing homelessness foster care placement or other external circumstances.

Curriculum Instruction and Assessment

• Lead and support effective curriculum instruction and learning across both programs.
• Collaborate with the Teaching and Learning Department and Special Education Department to ensure access to district curriculum assessments and state requirements.
• Monitor and evaluate instructional practices curricular offerings and assessment data to guide continuous improvement.
• Facilitate and support professional learning including PLCs and Action Cards aligned to district and building improvement goals.
• Lead program staff and home school teams in maintaining academic expectations for students enrolled in therapeutic programming.
• Monitor student progress through a social emotional behavioral and mental health lens.
• Align program implementation with district vision goals and strategic priorities.
• Ensure educational continuity credit alignment and academic progress for students across placements and during transitions back to comprehensive buildings.

Personnel Functions

• Serve as lead for staff recruitment hiring and retention.
• Evaluate staff in compliance with state law district policy and negotiated agreements.
• Provide ongoing coaching and actionable feedback to support continuous staff improvement.
• Collect and analyze student enrollment data used to determine staffing allocations.
• Manage daily staff absences and assist with coordination of substitute coverage.
• Workforce development related to trauma-informed practice.

Program Management

• Review approve and authorize budget expenditures student records inventories building use and program-related activities.
• Develop and manage program budgets including instructional supplies equipment repair and capital outlay.
• Monitor daily staffing needs and respond to teacher and associate absences or emergencies.
• Prepare and submit required building-level district-level and state reports.
• Participate in district safety team meetings and ensure implementation of safety protocols within programs.
• Collaborate with the Director of Buildings and Grounds regarding facility maintenance upgrades and projects.

Public Relations and Communication

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with students families staff and community partners.
• Foster and maintain interagency collaboration and provide consultation to building administrators districts of residence AEAs and community partners.
• Communicate progress on school improvement goals to stakeholders including summary reports to the Board of Education.
• Maintain high visibility and accessibility within the school and community.
• Resolve concerns and conflicts involving students staff or families in a timely and professional manner.
• Promote shared responsibility among families and community members for student success.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Serve on district-level committees and attend meetings as required.
• Facilitate program improvement through data-driven planning implementation and evaluation.
• Collaborate with the district leadership team to support district-wide and program-specific professional learning.
• Complete all required training.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of Social Emotional Behavioral and Mental Health (SEBMH) frameworks trauma-informed practices and the intersection of comprehensive education with residential treatment and transition
• Knowledge of IEP development implementation documentation and compliance requirements
• Satisfactory adherence to the Iowa Standards for School Leaders
• Ability to build trust and maintain positive relationships with families staff and community partners
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment
• Ability to adapt programs and practices to meet diverse and evolving student needs
• Effective supervision coaching and evaluation skills
• Clear professional written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent conflict resolution problem-solving and organizational skills

In evaluating candidates for this position Johnston Community School District may consider a combination of education training and experience which provides the necessary knowledge skills and abilities to perform the duties of this position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Frequent walking standing and sitting
• Moderate squatting crouching bending and kneeling
• Ability to carry and lift up to 25 lbs.
• Indoor office and school work environment with occasional exposure to outside weather conditions
• Moderate exposure to irritated agitated hostile and violent individuals

Required Experience:

Director