Senior Director of Special Education

The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in the increasingly diverse urban community of Lansing, MI. We are unique compared to other districts because of the wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options from which families and staff members can choose. All of Lansing School District’s team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all students in a safe and nurturing environment.

In pursuit of this mission, we are seeking a Senior Director of Special Education. The District serves over 2,000 students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) from early childhood through high school. This leadership role is integral to fostering the continued growth and success of the district's Special Education Department. With a primary focus on instruction and compliance with state and federal regulations, the Senior Director will ensure equitable access to high-quality educational opportunities for all students with disabilities, empowering them to achieve their full potential.

• Certification: Full MDE teacher certification in at least one area of special education.
• Education: Master’s degree in special education, school administration, curriculum leadership, or a related field.
• Eligibility: Meets criteria for approval as a Director of Special Education.

• Teaching Experience: Minimum of three years of successful special education teaching experience.
• Leadership Experience: At least three years of proven success in leading special education programming.
• Relevant Experience: Prior experience working in a school district with demographics similar to the Lansing School District.

• Specialized Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of IDEA and MARSE rules, special education curriculum design and delivery methods, special education law, general school law, school finance, school improvement strategies, and instructional theory.
• Collaboration and Mediation: Proven ability to work collaboratively with parents, staff, and administrators (building and central office) in both individual and group settings, mediating issues empathetically and consistently while adhering to contracts and special education laws.
• Staff Evaluation and Development: Established expertise in evaluating staff performance and crafting effective professional growth plans.
• Problem-Solving and Planning: Demonstrated aptitude for strategic problem-solving and effective planning.
• Communication and Technology: High-level verbal and written communication skills, with proficiency in leveraging technology to enhance and expand communication.

• Leadership and Vision: Provide proactive leadership for the Lansing School District's Special Education Program, developing and implementing a vision aligned with district strategic goals.
• Supervision and Support: Directly supervise and evaluate assigned Supervisors of Special Education and provide consultation to Teacher Consultants and Specialists on fiscal, legal, and compliance matters related to special education and Section 504.
• Collaboration and Communication: Facilitate integration of special education with general, alternative, bilingual, and career/technical education programs; collaborate with the Office of Deputy Superintendent on communication plans for staff and families.
• Monitoring and Input: Regularly visit programs and schools to monitor operations and gather staff input.
• Policy and Compliance: Oversee the implementation of district-wide special education and Section 504 policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with state and federal mandates.
• Recruitment and Staffing: Consult with Human Resources to recruit, select, and assign special education staff in compliance with regulations.
• Student Support Processes: Lead referral, evaluation, and placement processes for students needing IEPs, ensuring adherence to best practices.
• Data and Program Evaluation: Monitor and analyze data on special education and Section 504 programs to improve operational efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance.
• Professional Development: Plan and implement professional development for administrators and staff on special education and Section 504 as identified needs arise.
• Budget and Resource Management: Develop and manage assigned budgets and oversee access to appropriate curriculum, technology, and resources for students with disabilities.
• Instructional Practices: Ensure the implementation of evidence-based instructional practices and interventions for students with disabilities.
• Audit and Concerns: Lead responses to audits, reviews, and parent/guardian concerns regarding special education services.
• Family and Community Engagement: Foster strong partnerships with families and build relationships with community organizations to support students with disabilities.
• Advocacy: Advocate for the needs of students with disabilities within the district and the broader community.
• Additional Responsibilities: Perform other duties as assigned by the Deputy Superintendent.

At Lansing School District, we champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing equal opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation. We foster a rich environment for professional growth and student experiences by valuing diverse perspectives. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite passionate individuals dedicated to educational excellence to apply for our positions.

We value internal mobility and list "Strong Internal Candidate" when considering an internal candidate before posting a job. We still encourage all candidates to apply.

Complete the attached online application at your earliest convenience. If selected, we will contact you to set up an interview. While we strive to provide prompt feedback, the high volume of applicants may limit our ability to do so. All of our jobs will be posted for at least 10 days (unless otherwise noted), but we will review applications on a rolling basis.

External candidates interested in multiple positions within the same department need only apply to one posting and can indicate other roles of interest in the final question. We will consider your application for various roles based on your qualifications.

Internal candidates should apply using their SSO email address and submit separate applications for each role of interest.

Thank you for your interest in joining our mission-driven team. We look forward to meeting you!

This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications for the position. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, and the Lansing School District reserves the right to modify job responsibilities as needed. Due to the evolving needs of the District, additional job responsibilities may be assigned (depending on funding sources).