Job Description
The Orchard Farm School District is seeking a
Director of Special Education to join our team for the 2025-2026 school year! The Director of Special Education will lead and support the district's special education programs while overseeing aspects of special education across the district ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. The Director will support high-quality services for students with disabilities and provide strategic leadership to support the district mission.
The role requires a collaborative leader with expertise in special education, strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to supporting students, families, and staff. The individual must also demonstrate the initiative, desire, and commitment to continuously improve special education programming throughout the district.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities Leadership and Program Management:
- Oversee and manage the district's special education programs, ensuring alignment with the district's mission and compliance with IDEA and other relevant legislation.
- Develop and implement policies, procedures, handbooks, and standards to enhance service delivery and maintain compliance with state and federal guidelines.
- Collaborate with district and school administration to integrate special education within the broader educational framework.
- Involve the district in making a positive impact on the larger context of special education by participating in (and when appropriate, taking a leadership role in) LASE, MoCASE, CEC, etc., forming partnerships/sharing activities with other districts, being politically active in issues concerning special education, working with and forming partnerships with outside agencies serving the developmentally disabled.
Staff Supervision and Development:
- Supervise and evaluate staff in collaboration with the Executive Director of Student Services.
- Facilitate professional development opportunities that align with best practices in special education and promote instructional growth.
- Provide guidance to staff on processing referrals, carrying out evaluations, determining eligibility, developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).
Compliance and Legal Requirements:
- Stay current on laws, regulations, and best practices in special education, ensuring district-wide compliance with all relevant policies.
- Ensure compliance of the special education program as outlined in the Missouri Division of Special Education Compliance Standards and Indicators Administrative Checklist (100.10-100.570).
- With the Process Coordinators and School Psychologists, ensure compliance with the special education process as outlined in the Missouri Division of Special Education Compliance Standards and Indicators (section 200)
- Conduct regular audits of special education documentation, including IEPs, to verify compliance with legal and procedural requirements.
- Serve as the primary district contact for external audits, complaints, and legal matters related to special education services.
- Provide support and assistance to teachers and principals in IEP meetings of high need students, in meetings involving advocates or attorneys, and/or in other meetings with the potential for emotional or adversarial conduct.
- Work with the district's special education attorney to prepare and represent the district in the event of Child Complaint, Due Process, and/or other legal actions.
- Maintain information on district resident students who are homeschooled, ensure annual consultation with home-school providers, and complete required state reporting Determine eligibility for and facilitate implementation of homebound instruction for qualifying students.
- Supervise services for home school and parentally placed private school students.
Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) Supervision:
- Ensure the provision of instructional models that support students with disabilities, as well as other struggling students, in the least restrictive environment through the process of fidelity checks, and by providing support and training to building principals, teachers, and other building leaders.
- Work as a member of the Teaching and Learning PLT to help develop and implement multiple systems of support.
- Monitor the effectiveness of SDI through data analysis, classroom observations, and adjustments as needed to support student success.
- Analyze and review instructional resources used to carry out SDI. Provide training for staff as needed to ensure high quality SDI is continuously carried out.
Oversee Manifestation Determinations:
- Collaborate with principals, as needed, when they are carrying out discipline of students with disabilities.
- Collect and analyze data to determine when a manifestation determination meeting is required.
- Serve as the LEA representative for manifestation determination meetings and finalize paperwork completed by case managers.
Supervision of Related Services and Specialized Transportation:
- Oversee scheduling of all related services (e.g., speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy) to ensure compliance and quality delivery of services across the district.
- Provide guidance and support to service providers, ensuring that student needs are met efficiently and in accordance with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Conduct regular observations of service provider staff to maintain high standards of care and instruction.
- Work with the Director of Transportation to ensure specialized transportation is set up accurately at the beginning of each school year and problem solve as needed throughout the year.
Professional Development for Special Education Staff:
- Design and implement professional development plans for paraprofessionals, focusing on skills for supporting diverse learners.
- Facilitate or arrange training sessions on best practices and effective instructional strategies to enhance the learning environment.
- Engage in continuous observation and feedback with staff to encourage growth and effectiveness in the classroom.
Contracted Services Supervision:
- Receive and review contractual agreements for Private Separate Day Schools and related service providers. Submit new contracts for board approval.
- Serve as the first point of contact from contracted providers to problem solve as needed.
- Supervise schedules of and services provided by contracted service providers.
Bridge to Success Program Supervision:
- Oversee the Bridge to Success program, ensuring its effectiveness in providing transitional support to students requiring additional assistance.
- Serve as the first point of contact from staff to problem solve as needed.
- Measure program outcomes and adjust strategies to continually enhance program impact and student readiness.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with district leadership to support staffing projections, recruitment, and hiring for special education roles.
- Support the district's mission by modeling high expectations, cultivating a positive learning environment, and fostering strong relationships with all stakeholders.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Student Services or Superintendent.
Supervisory Duties Supervise administrative assistant, process coordinators, school psychologists, related service providers, paraprofessionals, special education teachers, and Bridge to Success program staff.
Qualifications - Educational Specialist degree or higher in Special Education or Educational Administration.
- Valid Missouri teacher certification in Special Education.
- Certification in special educational administration
- At least five years of experience in special education, with demonstrated leadership experience preferred.
Skills and Abilities - Deep understanding of special education laws, guidelines, and best practices.
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Proficiency in data analysis for program evaluation.
- Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and maintain confidentiality.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously.
- Proficient in relevant technology applications, including student information systems and special education documentation software.
Employment Term: 12 months
FLSA: Exempt
Salary: Starting $91,000. Commensurate with education and experience. Orchard Farm School District
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