Metro

Saint Thomas Academy seeks a Dean of Students for grades 6-12.  This position will provide leadership to the Saint Thomas Academy community in the areas of student discipline, attendance, safety and security and promotion of positive student behavior. This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Vice President. The qualified candidate will embrace the mission of Saint Thomas Academy.

REPRESENTATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

Discipline 

• Participate in the development of programming and communication strategies with students and parents in anticipation of potential behavioral concerns in the Middle School and Upper School, with a preference for addressing student behavioral expectations proactively rather than reactively, when possible. Demonstrate an appropriate degree of autonomy in creating these structures and strategies, in communication with colleagues.
• When necessary, coordinate measured and appropriate responses to Upper School and Middle School behavioral issues in and out of the classroom, supporting faculty, staff, students, and families thoroughly and professionally.
• Carry out consequences in accordance with the Saint Thomas Academy Student Handbooks for behavior and attendance rules violations.
• Conduct an annual review of the Upper School and Middle School Student Handbooks. Consult with other administrators on their respective handbooks.
• Coordinate and lead Board of Discipline meetings in accordance with defined internal practices, facilitating the enforcement of restorative measures and consequences determined by the Board.
• Promote an ethos of progressive discipline, one aimed at supporting students as they return to good behavioral standing at the Academy. Use Handbook and, when necessary, professional discretion to respond to student disciplinary matters in ways that are fair and justified, considering the best interests of the student without undermining the mission, vision, and values of the Academy.
• Serve as the school liaison to Social Services, Child Protective Services (Mandatory Reporting), law enforcement, probation officers, truancy services, and the court system.
• Represent Saint Thomas Academy in disciplinary matters on and off campus.
• Provide supervision at school-sponsored activities as needed. Provide on-site support for school dances and coordinate ticketing and parent permission processes.
• Maintain accurate records, including ensuring that the Dean of Students Office, as well as other departments, use PowerSchool to record behavioral incidents.

Attendance

• Monitor daily attendance, taking necessary actions to improve individual student attendance, and reduce tardiness among those students demonstrating chronic behaviors.
• Follow a progressive disciplinary model to address chronic attendance issues.
• Take appropriate disciplinary action, holding students in violation of attendance policies accountable.
• Communicate in written form with students and families on issues of chronic absenteeism/tardiness; conduct family meetings to address these issues as needed.

School Safety and Security 

• Schedule and conduct all campus safety drills including tornado, fire, evacuation and active shooter drills. Lead all necessary faculty and staff training to execute safety drills safely and effectively.
• Ensure all safety procedures are properly documented and updated including maps, directions, and points of contact.
• Conduct Table Top exercises and convene the Crisis Management Team on best practices and potential scenarios.

Communication 

• Communicate with parents regarding behavior and attendance issues, coordinating parent involvement in disciplinary matters and Board of Discipline meetings.
• Communicate to students through grade-level meetings on calendar flashpoints, handbook policies, and social norms.
• Communicate regularly with the Vice President on matters of discipline, attendance, student chemical health, and other issues as needed.
• Communicate with all stakeholders including parents, students, teachers, staff, and others as needed.

Administration 

• Assume the responsibilities of the Vice President in their absence.
• Serve on the Administrative Team and Student, Teacher Assistance Team (STAt).
• Be the point of contact for the Threat Assessment Form.
• Voting member on the IARC Admissions Committee. Review all Upper School candidates and Middle School students with behavioral or attendance concerns.
• Serve as a point of contact for external security consultation.

Other responsibilities 

• Manage faculty/staff supervision of daily lunch.
• Attend and participate in school and after-school functions.
• Maintain accurate records of student comportment and communication in PowerSchool.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the representative responsibilities. 

 

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Employment in and by the Church is substantially different from secular employment.  Church employees must conduct themselves in a manner which is consistent with and supportive of the mission and purpose of the Church.  Their public behavior must not violate the faith, morals or laws of the Church or the Archdiocese, such that it can embarrass the Church or give rise to scandal.
• While it is not required in this position for the employee to be a member of the Roman Catholic Church, it is expected that all employees will respect Catholic doctrine and religious practices.  Reasonable accommodation for the religious practices of employees not of the Roman Catholic faith will similarly be provided.
• In support of the mission and goals of Saint Thomas Academy, employees will follow all school policies and procedures.
• All employees will support Saint Thomas Academy and the St. Paul/Minneapolis Archdiocese’s mission and goals by actively articulating them to the Academy’s constituents and the wider community.

 

BENEFITS OFFERED

• Four health insurance plan options, including PPO and HSA plans with employer contribution, for individuals and families, along with dental, vision, and FSA plans.
• Sick and vacation time, personal days and paid holidays provided
• 403(b) and Roth Retirement Savings Plans with employer-match after 6 months.
• Other benefits include:
  • Employer paid short-term disability and Life/AD&D insurance, and employee paid long-term disability
  • Tuition Remissin
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Voluntary Life/AD&D
  • Voluntary Add-on insurance – Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital

SALARY RANGE

$85,000–$115,000

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