Director of Special Education
The Fergus Falls Area Special Education Cooperative #935 (FFASEC) is seeking to fill the position of a full-time Director of Special Education beginning July 1, 2025.
The position is for a Joint Powers Special Education Cooperative serving seven-member school districts in West Central Minnesota. These School District’s include: Ashby, Battle Lake, Breckenridge, Campbell-Tintah, Pelican Rapids, Rothsay and Underwood. The total geographic area served by the FFASEC is about 50 miles north to south and 50 miles east to west.
The compensation package will be negotiated commensurate with experience and qualifications.
To be considered for this position, an applicant’s completed file must include:
• Completed application found on the Cooperative website https://www.isd935.org/
• A cover letter indicating a desire to become a candidate for the position of Director of Special Education
• A set of up-to-date credentials, which includes: a current resume, two letters of recommendation, and a copy of the candidate’s unofficial transcript(s).
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
1. Minnesota Special Education Director’s License
2. Expertise or experience in leadership and supervision
3. Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
4. Preference to those who hold a valid Minnesota teaching license in one or more special education areas (ASD, EBD, SLP, DCD, SLD, etc.)
JOB GOAL:
Responsible for program development, coordination, and evaluation; in-service training; and general special education supervision and administration in the districts’ total special education system. MN Rule 3525.2405
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
The tasks listed below are not intended to limit other tasks that might reasonably be assigned as necessary.
1. Policy development and implementation to assure free appropriate special education and related due process rights to all children with disabilities enrolled in the district.
2. Employment, supervision, evaluation, and management of special education personnel involved in the planning, development, and provision of special education services to children and youth enrolled in the district.
3. Budget development, management, and accounting for all special education funding, data, and reporting.
4. Plan, develop, and provide professional development opportunities for district staff who impact the provision of education and related services to children with disabilities.
5. Coordinate and manage partnerships with general education district staff and with other agencies that provide services to children with disabilities.
6. Ensure district compliance with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
7. Evaluate district provision of special education services and coordinate evaluation activities with state and federal agencies.
8. Encourage and support parental involvement.
9. Review contractual and transportation arrangements for special education students and services.
10. Provide continuous evaluation, input and coordination of public and non-public programs for students with disabilities.
11. Develops and maintains a system for identification, placement and monitoring of students with disabilities.
12. Develop and maintain a system for identifying preschool age children who are disabled.
13. Develop reports for superintendents and the Joint Powers Board regarding special education statistics, including numbers served, and types of services.
14. Evaluate Cooperative programs outside the school district, and arrange for enrollment of students with disabilities in selected programs.
15. Identify and arrange for special resources needed for students with disabilities, including determining the need for low incidence consultants and preparing special funding requests for special students and instructional equipment and supplies.
16. Monitor and evaluate special education programs and IEPs for compliance with state and federal rules.
17. Develop reports of disabled services needed, and recommend allocation of resources to provide a balance of programs in all buildings.
18. Develop a special education program in conjunction with district administration for incorporation in a single flexible system.
19. Administer the special education finances including monitoring expenditures to ensure that money is disbursed within the legal or regulatory guidelines; and access available federal funds as appropriate.
20. Participate in various interagency committees such as the Otter Tail County Family Service Collaborative and the Interagency Early Intervention Committee (IEIC) for Otter Tail County, Wilkin County, and Grant County.
21. Prepare and oversee the budget with the Finance Director.
22. Serve as executive secretary for Cooperative executive board meetings.
23. Other Duties as assigned
SALARY/CONTRACT: A competitive compensation and benefits package, with a minimum starting salary of $135,000 but will be negotiated commensurate with experience and qualifications. Contract length is negotiable as provided in Minnesota statute. Additional benefits available may include health, life, dental, and long-term disability insurance and 403(b) contribution.
Application Deadline: January 24, 2025 by 12:00 pm
Questions regarding application process can be directed to Wendy Duenow, Administrative, Payroll and Benefits Manager, at 218-998-0935, ext. 222 or emailed to [email protected].
Other questions can be directed to Supt. Rob Nudell at 218-864-5215 or emailed to [email protected]
Please visit the coop’s website at www.isd935.org.
Accommodation: If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR at [email protected] or call 218-998-0544, ext. 222
Background Check Upon Conditional Offer: Background checks are conducted upon receiving a conditional offer. Employees must complete a background check and are responsible for the background fee. A passing background is required. Criminal convictions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Veteran’s Preference: If you are an eligible veteran, please submit a legible copy of your DD214 with your application.
The Fergus Falls Area Special Education Cooperative #935 is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator, who fully and actively supports equal access for all qualified applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information or Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law, and prohibits retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint, or otherwise oppose discrimination., to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint, or otherwise oppose discrimination.