Director of Extended School Year Special Education Programming (ESY) (Internal Candidates Preferred), Salem Public Schools, Salem, MA [SY 2025-2026]

Director of Extended School Year Special Education Programming (ESY) (Internal Candidates Preferred) Salem Public Schools Salem MA SY 2025-2026

About Salem Public Schools where belonging leads to opportunity.

Salem is a small diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district enrolling nearly 4000 students in 10 schools. Our vision is to ensure that all students will be locally engaged globally connected and fully prepared to thrive in a diverse and changing world. We hold dear our core values of belonging equity and opportunity in everything we do. We seek individuals who are passionate about urban education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement for all students regardless of ability economic status gender/gender identity language race/ethnicity sexual orientation or other backgrounds. We invite you to learn more about our strategic plan and core priorities on our website at

Position Summary: The Director of Special Education ESY leads the specialized summer programming for Salem Public Schools (SPS) providing high-quality experiences for students with disabilities who require extended school year services. The director ensures that services are provided in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) with a focus on direct specialized instruction for students from preschool through age 22.

The Director collaborates with district leadership and the Summer Special Education Coordinator of ESY to ensure strict compliance with IDEA and Massachusetts regulations while fostering a culture of high expectations equity and authentic engagement with families.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Leadership & Personnel

• Supervision: Lead and supervise all summer special education staff including teachers paraprofessionals and related service providers ensuring all instructional and enrichment activities are implemented with fidelity.
• Staffing: Assist in the screening hiring and assigning of summer program staff.
• Meetings & Training: Coordinate and deliver targeted professional development and conduct staff meetings as necessary for the proper function of the summer program.
• Staff Evaluation: Conduct formal and informal evaluations of special education staff and programs in collaboration with district administration.

Compliance & Operations

• IEP Oversight: Supervise the special education process from implementation to progress reporting; oversee the development and distribution of IEP information.
• LEP Representative: Chair IEP Team meetings as needed and act as the Local Educational Agency (LEA) representative.
• Records Management: Maintain complete and accurate student files and electronic IEP databases (e.g. Frontline/eSped).
• Data Reporting: Supervise the maintenance of attendance and academic progress data; provide data for DESE reporting audits and inquiries.
• Safety: Maintain a safe healthy and positive environment ensuring behavioral supports (including ABA and social skills development) are consistently applied.

Strategic Collaboration & Communication

• Family Engagement: Provide ongoing two-way communication with parents and families to support program access and address issues effectively.
• District Integration: Collaborate with all Summer Program Directors and the Executive Director of Special Education to align summer services with district-wide initiatives.
• Program Assessment: Assess all summer activities and provide data-driven recommendations to improve future programming.

WHAT YOULL BRING: SALEMS CORE VALUES

• Commitment to Equity: You embrace and affirm the diverse backgrounds of the Salem communityethnicity language and perspectiveas a powerful resource for learning.
• High Expectations: You see potential in all students and maintain high expectations for achievement while providing the necessary supports to meet that bar.
• Relationship Building: You build strong collaborative relationships with colleagues students and families to make decisions in the best interest of students.
• Growth Mindset: You are a reflective practitioner who thrives in a culture of feedback and continuous improvement.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Licensure: Required Massachusetts teaching certification/licensure in Special Education Administrator/Director.
• Education: Bachelors Degree required; Masters Degree preferred.
• Experience: 5 years of professional relevant administrative/supervisory school experience working with students with disabilities across a wide range of ages and abilities.
• Endorsement: Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement (required within 1 year of start).
• Technical Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of IDEA and related Federal/MA statutes; proficiency in IEP software (eSped).
• Communication: Exceptional oral and written communication skills; Bilingual proficiency (Spanish and/or Portuguese) is a significant plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Mobility: Ability to walk around the premises stoop bend climb stairs and kneel.
• Stamina: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk or standing during program supervision.
• Lifting: Ability to occasionally lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds (packages/equipment); rarely up to 50 pounds.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Type: Temporary / Seasonal (Exempt)
• Schedule: March 2026 August 2026 (Includes pre-program planning and post-program reporting)
• Compensation: $5800-6800 stipend

Reporting: Reports to the Executive Director of Special Education

How to Apply:Interested candidates should apply through TalentEd on the Salem Public Schools website.

Priority Application Date: April 1 2026

Questions Please Contact: Bridget Connors () Please enter ESY in the subject line.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Salem Public School District is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race color religion national origin pregnancy gender identity sexual orientation marital/civil union status ancestry place of birth housing status age citizenship status veteran status political affiliation genetic information or disability as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.

Required Experience:

Director