POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Assistant Superintendent for Student Services

Position Purpose:

This position implements and oversees all Student Services programs in conformance to district, state and federal objectives and maintains adequate staffing to ensure objectives of programs and services are achieved and within budget; performs all other related work as required.

Essential Functions:

(The essential functions or duties listed below and on attachments are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Provides technical assistance and guidance about all student service matters to all faculty and staff, related-service providers, principals and assistant principals in the district.
• Collaborates with district school principals and school special education coordinators for the purpose of implementing and maintaining services and/or programs.
• Directs staff for the purpose of delivering services which conform to established guidelines.
• Develops proposals, new programs, budgets and grants for the purpose of meeting District goals; responsible for oversight of Circuit Breaker claims.
• Manages all special education services and programs that the district provides, along with overseeing all special education coordinators, BCBA’s, OT, PT, SLP, and nursing staff.
• Leads the strategic direction for student services and oversees the development and implementation of long-term goals and objectives for all areas of oversight.
• Ensures implementation of research-based programming to support student learning, increased student engagement and academic outcomes for students with disabilities.
• Oversees the work to develop and align strategies for schools and staff to promote increased and improved opportunities and experiences for students with disabilities, resulting in high-quality standards-based instruction.
• Evaluates district and school student service programs and monitors the implementation of special education and compliance with regulations in each location, for the purpose of carrying out and achieving objectives within the area of responsibility.
• Collaborates with the Stoneham Early Learning Center in overseeing the early childhood program.
• Facilitates meetings and processes, for the purpose of implementing and maintaining student service programs and services of the district which achieve desired objectives.
• Participates in monitoring improvement from schools, works with stakeholders to proactively inform district-level policy and practice relating to student
• Implements assigned programs and/or projects for the purpose of conforming to district and state curriculum and/or instructional objectives.
• Works with special education coordinators for oversight of independent student evaluations.
• Facilitates a collaborative approach to support student success through programs and services involving family and community engagement.
• Prepares documentation and reports data to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the purpose of providing written support, conveying information, and complying with federal and state regulations.
• Develops strategic alliances and works collaboratively with educational agencies, community members/organizations and other stakeholders; SEPAC liaison.
• Coordinates with outside agencies and contracted services to provide services to students and staff, for the purpose of offering appropriate services.
• Ensures compliance with relevant federal and state regulations.
• Provides supervision, evaluation, mentoring, and professional growth and development opportunities to assigned staff.
• Advises building administrators in the recruitment, selection and assignment of special education personnel.
• Communicates information on programs, services, and regulations to school personnel, parents, the district, and other districts for the purpose of understanding district special education programs.
• Participates in DESE Tiered-Focus Monitoring for student services.
• Oversees annual compliance training to staff.
• Advises the homeless and foster care liaison
• Oversees out-of-district placements; supervises OOD coordinator.
• Oversees the coordination of transportation for students in special education.
• In collaboration with the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, oversees student in-home and hospital tutoring.
• Responsible for the hiring of extended school year program coordinators(s); summer ESY.
• Maintains a high-level of knowledge regarding developing special education issues, changes in the laws and case law, and educational methods of educating students with disabilities, for the purpose of managing an excellent special education program.
• Performs similar or related work as required, directed by the Superintendent or as situation dictates.

Supervision:

Complexity: Performs varied and responsible functions requiring a working knowledge of departmental operations and the considerable exercise of judgment and initiative, particularly in situations not clearly defined by precedent or established procedures.

Independent Action:  Works under general supervision of the School Superintendent, following department rules, regulations and policies, requiring the ability to plan and perform operations, and to complete assigned tasks according to a prescribed time schedule.  Refers all questionable cases to the Superintendent of Schools.

Supervisory Responsibility: Coordinators of Special Education; Administrative Assistant(s); BCBA’s, OT’s, PT’s, SLP’s, contracted specialists.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in an office, school or classroom environment.  Majority of work is performed in a moderately noisy work environment, with frequent interruptions. Operates computer, printer, telephone, copier, and all other standard office equipment. Makes frequent contact with the public, school staff, students, parents, Department of Children and Families, various councils and outside agencies and organizations. Has access to department related confidential information and highly-sensitive, confidential information.  Errors could result in delay or loss of service and have a direct impact on students and families.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience:

Master’s Degree in Special Education or a related field, seven to ten (7-10) years of special education teaching experience; Three (3+) years of experience as a team chair or department head and minimum three (3+) years as a supervisor; valid DESE license, experience working in public school setting, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

Knowledge:  Knowledge of SPED best practices, commitment to maintain client confidentiality and knowledge of all state and federal policies and laws.  Commitment to ongoing training and development as it relates to clinical skills, professional development, ethics, technology, and training in order to perform job responsibilities to required standards.  Knowledge of clinical protocols and written programs.  General office knowledge; working knowledge of the school administration process; advanced knowledge of the functions of municipal government; advanced understanding of the interaction between local government and state government; knowledge of state mandated timelines regarding reporting; working knowledge of business administration best practices, general office procedures, and applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Ability:  Ability to use supported strategies to design, implement, and evaluate effective policies. Ability to employ practices that promote home, school and community partnerships and enhance learning and behavior goals for students.  Ability to identify diverse cultural issues, situations, and other factors that influence family, school and community interactions and address such issues when developing and providing services. Ability to efficiently write comprehensive and informative reports that contain appropriate educational goals. Ability to plan, organize and collaborate with others; ability to communicate effectively; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all school employees, students, teachers, parents and vendors. Ability to recognize school-wide priorities and work cooperatively to support their accomplishment. Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and deal effectively with interruptions, occasionally under time pressure.

Skills:   Superior supervisory skills; excellent observation and listening skills; excellent budgetary and fiscal skills, organizational and time-management skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills; excellent computer skills including MS Office applications. Skilled in the use of the above-mentioned equipment.

Physical Requirements:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, communicate, or hear; occasionally required to walk, must be able to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 15 pounds.  Vision and hearing at or correctable to normal ranges.  This position requires the ability to operate a keyboard and calculator at efficient speed. 

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)

Salary:  Regionally competitive, $150,000-$160,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

Stoneham Public Schools values linguistic diversity and believes that candidates who speak another language bring added value to the district, schools, and district culture and diversity. The Stoneham Public Schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, homelessness, or disability.