Director of Special Education - Interim

Position: Director of Special Education - Interim (March - June 2026)
Organization Overview
Salem Academy Charter School (SACS) is a nationally ranked public charter school north of Boston that offers a rigorous college-preparatory program to 480 students in grades 6-12. Since 2004, SACS has been committed to serving Salem's diverse population. Through a unique integration of rigorous college preparatory classes with service to the community, Salem Academy graduates informed, articulate and proactive individuals of strong character.

Salem Academy is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community. We seek to support a faculty and staff that reflects the rich diversity of our student body, creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our work and education.

Position Overview
Reporting to the Senior Director of Academics, the Director of Special Education oversees all aspects of the Special Education program for grades 6-12, guiding a comprehensive vision and strategy to meet the unique needs of our students with disabilities. Responsible for ensuring the quality of Salem Academy's Special Education programming for students with IEPs, the Director of Special Education must possess expertise in best practices for addressing students' academic and social/emotional needs in an inclusion context, expertise in Massachusetts and federal Special Education regulations, and outstanding interpersonal and written communication skills.

The Director of Special Education provides shared leadership for our culture of achievement and must be able to promote a culture of excellence and collaboration between Special Education and general education instructional and support staff. In addition, the Director of Special Education works closely with the Senior Director of Academics to focus on organizational priorities, program development, and financial expenditures for the Special Education program.

The ideal candidate is committed to prioritizing the unique needs of each student and family to support them in reaching their highest levels of academic, social, and/or emotional growth. This individual should be organized, have strong communication skills, and bring an equity-based mindset to their work each day.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Leadership:
Oversee all aspects of the Special Education program by setting a clear vision for academic and cultural excellence, building and supporting a strong, responsive team through high‑quality professional development, effective performance management, and motivational, mission‑aligned leadership.
Lead the Special Education Team in creating a mission-driven, inclusive college-going culture of achievement that permeates the school and builds students' academic skills and social and emotional competencies.
Maintain a visible presence in the school's daily life: observe classrooms, build relationships with students, and uphold school norms in a safe and supportive manner.
Ensure that classrooms are safe and supportive, and teaching is grounded in culturally relevant pedagogy.
Assure effective implementation of any school improvement plans, including measurable long-term goals and short-term objectives around student learning performance.
Use data to design professional development.
Participate in recruiting and hiring processes for all Special Education staff, including contractors for service delivery and eligibility evaluation.
Oversee compliance with DESE's model educator evaluation system for Special Education staff.
Prepare and manage Special Education Grants, e.g., 240, 274; ensure appropriate usage of funds
Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations for staff training.
With the Senior Director of Academics, develop a budget that best supports our students by aligning the use of funds to support research-based strategies that improve teaching and learning; monitor spending in Special Education program areas
Oversee the allocation of Special Education staffing and resources across the school.

Special Education Compliance and Procedures
Oversee and lead the full initial special education eligibility process from referral through the eligibility determination…