Director of Student Services

The Director of Student Services is responsible for overseeing and ensuring compliance with all special education programming student support services and related federal and Massachusetts state regulations including IDEA Section 504 and DESE requirements. The position provides leadership and supervision for special education staff related service providers and district-wide student support systems while collaborating closely with administrators educators families and community agencies to promote equitable access to education for all students. Responsibilities include managing special education budgets coordinating and directly overseeing some out-of-district placements and transportation facilitating the IEP processes overseeing evaluations and compliance timelines and supporting the implementation of inclusive practices and behavioral interventions across the district. The Director also serves as a member of the district leadership team supporting professional development problem-solving support and overall planning to enhance students academic social-emotional and behavioral outcomes.

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA) CLASSIFICATION: This position is classified as Exempt (Professional).

Qualifications:

Licensed or eligible for licensure as a Special Education Administrator by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education;

Masters Degree in Special Education or a related field;

Successful administrative experience in special education and experience working in special education

Other comparable qualifications as the Superintendent may deem appropriate. Licensed or eligible for and able to be licensed by position start date as an Assistant Superintendent or Superintendent by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

Experience leading professional development and supporting educator growth

Excellent communication collaboration and leadership skills

Ability to work effectively with administrators staff families and community stakeholders Understanding of navigating the budget and upholding fiscal responsibility

Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may deem appropriate and consistent with state licensure requirements

REPORTS TO: The Director of Student Services reports to the Superintendent of Schools Supervisory Responsibilities: Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with school committee policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities may include: interviewing hiring and training employees; planning assigning and directing work; appraising performance; disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. The director of student services evaluates: the special education coordinators the assistants in the office of student services speech and language pathologists occupational therapists psychologists physical therapists ESP-3s (COTAs BCaBAs SLPAs) and board-certified behavioral analysts

Responsibilities:

The Director of Student Services is responsible for leadership in the following areas:

Developing implementing supervising and/or evaluating all programs policies and services in the Department of Student Services;

Assures compliance with all state and federal laws regulations and reporting requirements;

Develops and manages the Student Services budget writes related state and federal grants and supports data collection for Circuit Breaker and Medicaid reimbursements;

Works collaboratively with other administrators in the selection supervision evaluation and/or training of Student Services staff;

Coordinates transportation for students with disabilities;

Works collaboratively with parents the Special Education Advisory Council (SEPAC) the ACCEPT Collaborative 766-approved facilities state and federal agencies and other organizations to support students with disabilities;

Facilitates the development revision and evaluation of the districts special services programs and all related services.

Assists building principals in the recruiting interviewing hiring assigning and evaluation (under intensive review) of special education.

Prepares coordinates and administers the special education and federal program budgets.

Responsible for the preparation submission and implementation of all grants pertaining to special education and early childhood education.

Preparation of state reports necessary for state reimbursement and similar fiscal matters. Ability to prepare district-level special services reports that are required by law or are requested by the Superintendent

Prepares coordinates and administers the special education and federal program budgets. Responsible for the preparation submission and implementation of all grants pertaining to special education and early childhood education.

Preparation of state reports necessary for state reimbursement and similar fiscal matters. Ability to prepare district-level special services reports that are required by law or are requested by the Superintendent.

Supervises the preparation and implementation of all Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and ensures the availability of appropriate services.

Receives investigates mediates and processes complaints under IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Ensures complete and cumulative individual records for all students receiving special services or enrolled in special classes.

Coordinates the districts special services program (ages 3-22) Preschool to grade 12() in conjunction with the Superintendent principals teachers and staff.

Recommends new special services programs based on identified students needs and identified community or government resources.

Arranges transportation for all children requiring special-needs transportation and out-of-district educational placements.

Recruits hires supervises and evaluates district-level special education staff including Special Education Administrators Related Services Providers and the Early Childhood Special Education Administrator.

Oversees the referral process for students in need of out-of-district placements

Maintains requirements for out-of-district oversight established by DESE

Coordinates services and maintains connections with students and families who have been identified under the McKinney-Vento Act

Perform physical requirements which may include: a. Moderate to extensive degree of physical and emotional stamina b. Frequent and prolonged talking/hearing conversations c. Knowledge of CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) strategies and their implementation

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Prepares applications for external funding and related reports for special education services and federal programs. Prepares and monitors special education and student services budgets.

Submits referrals to other agencies whose services complement or extend those of the district and coordinates special education services with private and other agencies and private schools.

Recommends interprets and implements the districts policies and procedures in the area of student services.

Manages student services administrative functions to maintain safe efficient school operations in accordance with district guidelines.

Maintains a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality when dealing with student staff and/or parent information.

Serves as a consultant to staff/principals regarding special services.

Participates in parent conferences upon request from other administrators or teachers.

Represents the district at local county and state levels in matters related to special services.

Recommends policies and procedures essential to special education and federally funded programs.

Communicates to school administrators and staff information about each program and information about changes or developments within each ongoing program.

Regular visits to all physical sites within the school district where special programs are conducted during hours when the programs are in operation.

Develops and initiates survey programs to continuously identify (Child Find) children with learning differences.

Supervises and coordinates home instruction for homebound or hospitalized students.

Assists with the development implementation and evaluation of effective alternative programs for students at-risk.

Prepares various written documents (e.g. correspondence reports analyses etc.) for the purpose of providing written support and/or conveying information as required.

Keeps current with the Pre-K-12 courses of study the districts scope and sequence framework and state standards/guidelines.

Promotes the continuity of the instructional program.

Provides insights about the progression of student skills and key contributions made by staff at each level.

Provides ongoing professional development workshops for all special education staff to better serve students special needs and provide guidance.

Coordinates staff development programs with the Assistant Superintendent Curriculum Instruction and Assessment for special education to include an annual needs assessment and the arranging of all in-service activities.

Encourages parent organizations and supports school-sponsored activities. Participates in Parent Advisory Council meetings.

Attends meetings with the School Committee and community as requested.

Coordinates with other departments to implement and maintain an integrated student database.

Serves as liaison between the district and community interpreting activities and policies of the district and encouraging community involvement with the district.

Establishes annual goals and objectives as deemed appropriate by theSuperintendent

Assumes responsibility for own professional growth and development; for keeping current with the literature new research findings and improved techniques; and for attending required state and professional meetings.

Preparing reports and presentations for the Superintendent School Committee staff and families

Attends school committee meetings as required

Performing other duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools

Schedules summer services and summer programming hires appropriate staff interviews new hires and coordinates commitment with all students who are eligible to attend

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Salary Range: $14000-$160000 annually - Anticipated Three-Year contract - Start date July 1 2026 ornegotiated.

EVALUATION:

The performance of this job will be evaluated annually by the Superintendent of Schools in accordance with the MA General Law. Ashland values diversity and is committed to diversifying our professional staf . We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds including people of color people with disabilities and others to apply.

Required Experience:

Director