The Marion School District has an opening for Director of Special Services.  This is a 12 month administrative position.

 

An individual employed as the Director of Special Services will perform the duties and tasks outlined in this document as part of the special education coordinator role.      

I. Serve as a liaison with the ADE Special Education Unit (SEU) in matters concerning education of children with disabilities.       

a. Become informed in the specifics of the state adopted and approved policies, procedures and guidelines.        

b. Monitor operation of district programs for children with disabilities to ensure operation in accordance with state adopted and approved policies, procedures and guidelines.        

c. Provide data, reports, and budget information to the ADE Special Education Unit as required and within specified timelines.        

d. Prepare and submit the special education budget and other financial reports for approval by the district superintendent.        

e. Become knowledgeable about the developments and trends in special education, instructional management and supervision, including attendance at meetings and training for LEA Supervisors/Special Education Coordinators conducted or sponsored by the ADE SEU.        

f. Provide leadership and participate, as appropriate, in the development of district goals and plans for school improvement.    

 

II. Supervise and administer all district programs for children with disabilities under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).        

a. Design and implement Child Find activities in accordance with state and federal guidelines, including for privately placed students receiving educational services within the district’s jurisdictional boundaries.        

b. Initiate and administer programs to identify and evaluate students with suspected disabilities.        

c. Supervise the location, identification and evaluation process for students with disabilities, including privately placed students receiving educational services within the district’s jurisdictional boundaries.      

d. Arrange timely evaluation of students suspected of having a disability.      

e. Designate appropriate professionals responsible for appraisal, programming and implementation activities as specified by state guidelines.      

f. Assure that appropriate personnel are available and efficiently deployed for all due process and instructional activities, including related services personnel.      

g. Ensure that personnel are held accountable and responsible for meeting established timelines set forth in due process procedures, including those employed through purchased service arrangements.      

h. Maintain information files that identify and describe agencies and individuals who provide services to students with disabilities.        

i. As frequently as necessary, provide information related to due process and dispute resolution procedures and IDEA requirements to administrators, teachers and parents, including information on resolution sessions and mediation and the availability and desirability of pre-due process mediation.

j. Disseminate information and training provided by the SEU to district personnel, parents, students and patrons, as appropriate.      

k. Serve as a local liaison with parents and parent organizations, including school-based parent centers.      

l. Maintain information on and liaison with other public and private agencies and individuals who provide services to students with disabilities in the district, particularly for students 14 years and older.    

m. Collaborate with school and district level curriculum committees to develop plans and recommendations for the inclusion of students with disabilities in all aspects of the educational program.

 

III. Consult with teaching staff to assist in planning individualized programs and services to students with disabilities.      

a. Visit and observe special and regular education classrooms to observe the effectiveness of the instructional program for students with disabilities.      

b. Provide ongoing, regular scheduled consultation to special and regular education personnel in the district that provide services to students with disabilities.    

c. Consult with teaching staff on a regular basis to determine needs of individual students and to ensure that specific needs of students with disabilities are being met.    

d. Consult with teachers to determine that appropriate and adequate materials, supplies and equipment are available and properly used for students with disabilities.    

e. Confer with teachers to provide technical assistance for improvement of instructional skills and behavior management.    

f. Determine whether instruction corresponds to goals and objectives of the student’s individualized education program (IEP) and the state curriculum standards.

 

IV. Serve as Pre-School Special Education Coordinator for the district.

 

V. Other duties as assigned. 

 

 

Marion School District recognizes the worth of all individuals and groups. It is the policy of Marion School District that there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups on the grounds of age, color, creed, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation in any educational programs, activities or employment.