Special Education Lead Teacher: 2025-26 School Year

Position Type:
Administration

Date Posted:
5/7/2025

Location:
District Wide

Position Title:
Director of Special Services
Department:              Bargaining Unit:
Special Services             Administrator
Immediate Supervisor’s Position Title:
Superintendent
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Superintendent, the Director of Special Services is responsible for managing, directing and overseeing Special Education, Section 504, Health Services, McKinney-Vento, and other state and federal programs in order to provide free and appropriate public education to children B-22 with disabilities while ensuring compliance with state and federal laws, mandates and requirements.  Duties involve the supervision of special education staff, program development, program evaluation, fiscal/budget administration of special needs programming, and oversight of due process and compliance requirements.

COMPENSATION / BENEFIT INFORMATION:

$133,161 per year
This position does quality for benefits.  Please see 24-26 Administrators Master Agreement for details

SECTION II:  ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Plans, develops, and recommends budgets for special education/service programs.  Administers and monitors approved budgets, revenues and expenditures for special services.

a.   Collaborates with the Director of Business Services in setting up all aspects of the special education budget.
b.  Administers, reviews and approves all expenditures for special education (e.g. timesheets; staff development, transportation; consultants, technology, tuition bills, supplies and equipment).
c.  Allocates expenditures consistent with UFARS, MARSS, STAR and SEDRA guidelines, rules and requirements.
d.  Oversees and coordinates tuition billing, third party billing, special transportation and referrals for outside services.
e.  Responds to and prepares for MDE fiscal monitoring and information requests.
f.  Seeks out and applies for grant and other funding opportunities.

Manages and supervises all district wide special services personnel and collaborates in their supervision.

a.  Provides a comprehensive system for staff development to assure compliance with special education laws, rules and to improve skills in research based practices.
b.  Recruits, hires, supervises, evaluates, provides professional development, and when appropriate, disciplines department staff including teachers, paraprofessionals, clerical support, and other special education services/programs (e.g. Homebound Instruction, Nursing Services, Section 504, etc.).

Supervises and oversees the preparation and submission of various district, state and federal reports and applications pertaining to special education services, staffing, funding and assurances.

Oversees the provision of special services:

a.  Evaluates district needs for new services or changes to existing services and programs.  Advises and makes recommendations to the Superintendent regarding the need for new programs or major program modifications.
b.  Provides training, supervision and support to staff in identification, evaluation, and provision of special services in special education.
c.  Monitors district instructional practices for consistency with laws, rules, regulations and requirements, and best practices.
d.  Designs and implements a full continuum of services for eligible students including students attending non-public schools within the district.
e.  Adjusts programs and services to help meet district goals and improve results for students with special needs and disabilities.
f.  Develops, implements and maintains policies, procedures and practice statements to assure compliance with laws, guidelines and best practices.
g.  Oversees the Continuous Improvement Monitoring Process (CIMP) required by MDE involving program evaluation and self monitoring compliance.
h.  Oversees Special Services programs such as Health Services.  Hires and evaluates staff, oversees the budget(s), plans and oversees program development activities and student crisis issues.

Serves as the district’s liaison and representative for students with disabilities being serviced outside of the district.  Attends out of district IEP meetings and participates in the planning and decision making for students.

Conducts public relation activities associated with special education programs and services.

a.  Collaborates with and addresses concerns of parents, the community, various state or federal agencies, or advocacy organizations.
b.  Resolves, mediates and addresses formal and informal complaints concerning due process/hearings or related issues.
c.  Advises, consults with and interprets special education requirements, rules, expectations or responsibilities to administrators, staff, building principals, and others.
d.  Attends and participates in IEP meetings for students with significant disabilities or where conflict is eminent.
e.  Assists the district in decision making and responding to and addressing serious disciplinary incidents involving students with disabilities.
f.  Facilitates, leads or participates in various parent and community involved activities/meetings (e.g. leads Special Education Advisory Committee; represents the district at the Dakota County Collaborative Board to coordinates county wide services/programs; appoints and trains surrogate parents).
g.  Communicates with the public via website, media and correspondence.

Performs other duties of a comparable level or type, as required.

a. Provides professional expertise and assistance to individuals, and other district staff in areas of expertise/knowledge.
b.  Attends training sessions, conferences, seminars, district and departmental meetings.
c.  Keeps abreast of changing developments, trends, and relevant educational technologies.

SECTION III:  WORK REQUIREMENTS AND CHARACTERISTICS

EDUCATION/KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENT:  Minimum education required to perform adequately in position could reasonably be attained only by completing the following:

• 2nd year graduate level

DEGREE INFORMATION:

• Type of degree: (B.S., M.A., etc.) Master’s Degree

Major field of study or degree emphasis:
Special Education/Administration or related area.

Essential knowledge and specialized subject knowledge required to perform the essential functions of the job:

a.  Laws, rules, statutes and guidelines related to special education programming and requirements.
b.  Knowledge of medical assistance requirements, eligibility requirements and service requirements.
c.  Instructional strategies, concepts, principles, methods, best practices and trends dealing with issues of child development, special education and instructional methods.
d.  School administrative policies and procedures in the area of budgeting, human resources, and general district operations.
e.  State reporting and funding requirements for special service programs.
f.  Knowledge of resources, service alternatives and options available to children with special needs.
g. Organizational, management and supervisory principles, standards and practices.

Required Work Experience in Addition to Formal Education/Training:

Minimum of three years’ experience administrative and supervisory experience in the area of special education

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION:

Valid MN driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility.
Licensed Teacher in the State of MN.
Licensed as a Director of Special Education by the State of MN

ESSENTIAL SKILLS REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE WORK:

Skilled in:

a.  Planning, organizing, developing and implementing and evaluating instructional and special education programs and services;
b.  Interpreting and applying mandated laws, rules, regulations and guidelines consistent with the intent and purpose of the legislative requirements, including program development and changes in practice to meet legal requirements an student needs..
c.  Organizational planning, negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution.
d.  Delegating, evaluating, and supervising licensed instructional staff and managers assigned to diverse and multiple program areas and disciplines;
e.  Organizing and presenting complex concepts, issues and ideas to the public, staff and member districts in an understandable manner;
f.  Interpreting, monitoring and developing processes along with implementing legislative changes and initiatives that may impact special education programs or services;
g.  Using technology to complete work;
h.   Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
i.  Developing and fostering collaborative relationship both inside and outside of the organization, effectively handling matters with parents, students, staff, administrators, providers, elected officials and educational professionals related to instructional needs, curriculum, due process, services, and student programming or district needs.
j.  Creative problem solving/conflict resolution skills.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR DIRECT SUPERVISION OF THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS:

• Special Education Supervisors
• LSN/Health Services Coordinator
• Licensed Staff
• Administrative Support Staff

INDIRECT SUPERVISION:

• Paraprofessionals in Special Education
• RN’s