Anticipated Assistant Director of Special Education

Reports to: Director of Special Education

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Director of Special Education, the Assistant Director supports the leadership, coordination, and continuous improvement of districtwide special education programs and services. The position helps ensure that students with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE), consistent with federal and New York State requirements and district policy. The Assistant Director works collaboratively with administrators, educators, related service providers, families, and community partners to support effective and inclusive educational programs.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Leadership and Student Services

• Assist the Director in the administration, design, and continuous improvement of districtwide special education and student support programs.
• Serve as the district’s Local Education Agency (LEA) representative or as a Committee on Special Education (CSE) or Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) chairperson, as assigned.
• Coordinate state testing accommodations and alternate assessment participation, including the New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA), for eligible students.
• Coordinate secondary transition planning and postsecondary readiness services for students with disabilities.
• Assist the Director in the administration of the districtwide ENL program.

2. Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Support district compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and New York State Commissioner’s Regulations, Parts 200 and 201, including requirements for identification, evaluation, placement, and service delivery.
• Monitor Individualized Education Program (IEP) quality, progress monitoring, and compliance timelines through the district’s IEP management system.
• Assist with required state reports, Medicaid reimbursement documentation, State Performance Plan (SPP) indicators, and NYSED compliance reviews or audits.
• Assist the Director with due process hearings, mediation, and resolution meetings in coordination with district legal counsel.

3. Staff Supervision, Evaluation, and Professional Development

• Assist with recruiting, screening, hiring, and onboarding special education teachers, related service providers (including speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and school psychologists), ENL teachers and paraprofessionals.
• Conduct or support observations and evaluations of assigned instructional and support personnel in accordance with applicable state requirements and district procedures, including APPR requirements where applicable.
• Plan and facilitate professional development on evidence-based instructional strategies, functional behavior assessments (FBAs), behavior intervention plans (BIPs), and inclusive practices.

4. Family, Community, and District Collaboration

• Serve as a liaison among the district, families, advocacy groups, BOCES, approved private schools, and community service agencies.
• Support positive family-school partnerships by assisting parents through the referral, evaluation, and IEP processes.
• Partner with building principals to align special education supports with general education curricula and the district’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS/RTI).

5. Budgetary and Administrative Support

• Assist the Director in developing, monitoring, and managing the special education budget.

  Work Terms and Compensation

• Position: 12-month administrative appointment.

• Salary range: $91,000-95,000 (commensurate with experience)

• Benefits: Per CHAA contract.