Job Description

Purpose: The Director of Student Services’ primary purpose is to provide leadership in developing and maintaining student services, Section 504, special education, and English Language Learners. The Director of Student Services will also facilitate compliance with state and federal mandates, FERPA, Medicaid to Schools program, specialized transportation and other related services, and facilitate the implementation of best practices in the education of children with disabilities.

Supervisor: Superintendent of Schools

Minimum Qualifications:

• New Hampshire credential/certification as a Special Education Administrator
• Master’s Degree in Special Education or another related or appropriate area
• Five years of administrative experience - preferred
• Three years of teaching experience, preferably in a Special Education setting

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication
• Proficient with technology, including relevant software applications, including assistive technology and augmentative alternative communication
• Preparing and maintaining accurate records
• Planning and managing projects
• Evaluation skills of programs and personnel

Knowledge:

• Federal and New Hampshire Special Education, Section 504 & Medicaid to Schools Laws and regulations
• Instructional procedures and practices and age-appropriate student activities
• Stages of child development/behavior
• Program planning, development and evaluation
• Pertinent laws, codes, policies, and/or regulations
• Safety practices and procedures
• NHSEIS - use, supports, and monitoring

Abilities:

• Adapting to changing work priorities
• Communicating with diverse groups and individuals, written and oral
• Analyzing and understanding detailed information and data
• Collaborating and working as part of a team
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution
• Meeting deadlines and schedules
• Dealing with difficult situations and people/crisis management

Essential Functions:

• Develops, presents and oversees special education budgets of MRSD and the SAU
• Ensures that correct procedures for completing the special education and Section 504 process and policies are understood and implemented by staff
• Maintains essential program records necessary to insure statutory compliance, adequately monitor services and data for state programs and funding processes
• Ensures due process rights are afforded every student, parent, and school in the special education and Section 504 processes by assuring distribution of parent rights and notifications, hearing complaints and working on resolutions with local schools, requesting and attending due process hearings or mediation sessions
• Ensures a continuum of appropriate services for students with disabilities by assessing the needs of schools and students, and developing essential programs
• Evaluates special education programs, facilities, services, curriculum, and teaching practices
• Is the SAU contact person through which all correspondence and information from the NH Education Department’s Bureau of Special Education
• Transmits information to the staff, administration and school board regarding philosophies, practices, and developments in the field of special education
• Recruitment and hiring of special education staff and related services personnel
• Coordinates services of outside agencies including Vocational Rehabilitation, Developmental Services, Mental Health, and the Division for Children and Youth Services
• Oversees the placement of students outside of the local school district, including transportation services
• Section 504 Coordinator in conjunction with the Director of Counseling and school-building level teams
• Ensures compliance with Medicaid to Schools program, including appropriate documentation and maintenance of that documentation, and ensures the district stands as “audit ready”
• Develops and writes IDEA grant proposals for the SAU and assists with any proposals that might be developed at the school level
• Monitors and evaluates IDEA grant funded projects
• Attends and participates in meetings of the MRSB at the request of the Superintendent
• Application Procedure:
  Apply online. MRSD will be accepting applications through February 21, 2025 and will begin interviews in early March of 2025.

MRSD is an EOE 

Our Vision Our vision is to be a model of leadership and collaboration, committing to serve our community of learners through: Active Stewardship of social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth & well-being Unfailing Integrity that encourages positive communication, respectful relationships, and moral courage in a diverse environment Perpetual Innovation by continuously reviewing and updating our programs, technologies, and instructional practices to inspire complex thinking and creative problem-solving Our Goals and Objectives Towards Active Stewardship, in the area of Student Growth: We will foster the belief that learning, participating, and contributing to the community is critical to the social, emotional, physical and intellectual development and overall well being of each child and the community as a whole. Towards Unfailing Integrity, in the area of Communication: We will improve external communication systems with the specific goal of creating open communication between the school district and the community. We will improve internal communication systems with the specific goal of creating open communication between the school district and it's staff and students. Towards Perpetual Innovation, in the area of Opportunities: We will support the local community by providing rigorous, relevant and effective learning experiences by embracing and promoting a wide variety of opportunities and credit-earning pathways for all students.

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