Director of Special Education

Title:

Director of Special Education

Department:
Student Services

Classification:
Administrative

Assignment: 12-month, Full Time

FLSA Status:
Exempt

Reports To:

Assistant Superintendent of Student Services

Supervises:
Special Education Department Chair and Staff

Location:

Deerfield High School and Highland Park High School

Salary: $170,000-$190,000 based on experience

Summary:

The Director of Special Education provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight of all district special education programs and services. This position ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, supervises specialized personnel, and collaborates with all departments to promote inclusionary practices and social-emotional support. The Director also assists in the development of transition and alternative programs, fostering collaboration with sender districts, district partners and community agencies.

This role oversees all areas of special education including ESY, transition programming, DRS (Division of Rehabilitation Services), inclusive school practices, and coordination of articulation.

Qualifications:

* Master's degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or related field.

* Illinois Professional Educator License with Director of Special Education endorsement (Required).

* Illinois Qualified Evaluator certification.

* License registered with Lake County ROE 34.

* Prior Leadership experience in a Director role Preferred.

* Demonstrated expertise in IDEA compliance, program development, transition programming, and inclusive practices.

* Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaborative leadership skills.

Essential Functions:

The criteria indicated below are intended to describe various types of work that may be performed. The exclusion of specific responsibilities does not prohibit them if the work is similar, related, or a logical task of the position.

Program Leadership and Compliance

* Design all district special education budgets and programs.

* Administer and monitor the IDEA Flow-through Grant and related budgets.

* Ensure district-wide compliance with IDEA, Section 504, and state/federal mandates.

* Supervise IDEA compliance (timelines, required components, correction of noncompliance, internal monitoring.

* Leads district response for IDEA compliance reviews, corrective action plans, and systemic remediation tied to special education.

* Serve as district liaison to True North, DRS, and partner agencies.

* Coordinate special education transportation processes.

* Supervise/Serve as the District Representative for IEP meetings when resources beyond school budgets may be considered and in high profile cases.

* Collaborate with the Assistant Superintendent on all special education related functions including but not limited to due process hearings, mediation, and compliance reviews.

* Support building level teams in newly implemented MTSS processes by allocating resources, ensuring training, analyzing data and recommending curriculum and programmatic modifications.

Program Development and Inclusion

* Collaborate with district leadership to develop and expand transition, vocational, and alternative programs.

* Design and supervise inclusive practices across academic, behavioral, and social-emotional domains.

* Oversee implementation of a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) for students with disabilities.

* Work with the Assistant Superintendent and school teams to advance social-emotional learning initiatives.

Personnel Supervision and Evaluation

* Supervise and evaluate special education department chair, teachers, school psychologists, school social workers, related service providers, and paraprofessionals.

* Lead recruitment, onboarding, and professional development of staff.

* Utilize data and observations to guide instructional and program improvements.

* Assist in the development of department meeting agendas and attend meetings as needed.

Collaboration and Communication

* Build strong relationships with parents, parent groups, community partners, and feeder districts.

* Collaborate with sender school districts and attend regularly scheduled meetings for articulation and service delivery from middle school to high school.

* Support 504 Coordinators in problem-solving and compliance efforts.

* Serve as LEA representative in meetings when additional resources are considered.

* Support parents and staff in understanding rights, procedures, and services under special education law.

Data and Continuous Improvement

* Use qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate programs, staffing, and student achievement.

* Prepare reports to present to the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services..

* Support the integration of technology in instructional and program management systems.

Safety and Professional Standards

* Model and enforce district safety and ethical standards.

* Participate in ongoing professional learning and maintain awareness of current best practices and legislation.

* Perform additional duties as assigned by the Assistant…