Director of Special Education/Elementary Curriculum & Instruction

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION / ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION / SAYS ADMINISTRATION

Reports To: Superintendent

FLSA Status: Exempt

Contract Days: 240 Days

Salary: Based on Board-Approved Salary Schedule

QUALIFICATIONS

JOB PURPOSE

The Director of Special Education and Elementary Curriculum & Instruction provides leadership, supervision, coordination, and oversight of all district special education services, elementary instructional programs, curriculum implementation, alternative education programming, and related state and federal compliance requirements. The position ensures high-quality educational opportunities for all students while maintaining compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and promoting continuous school improvement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Special Education Leadership & Compliance

• Direct and oversee all special education programs and services for students ages birth through twenty-one (21).
• Ensure compliance with IDEA, Section 504, Alabama Administrative Code, and all applicable federal and state regulations.
• Collaborate with principals, special education staff, and district leadership to implement and maintain quality special education services.
• Determine and monitor staffing allocations for special education programs.
• Serve as the District Representative for IEP meetings involving district-level resources or placements.
• Coordinate services with outside agencies, community partners, and contracted providers.
• Recruit, supervise, evaluate, and support district-level special education personnel, including speech-language pathologists, school psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, early intervention personnel, and related service providers.
• Oversee Medicaid Administrative Claiming and Medicaid billing processes related to eligible special education services.
• Develop and recommend special education policies and procedures to the Superintendent and Board of Education.
• Monitor changes in special education law, regulations, and best practices and ensure district compliance.
• Prepare and submit all required state and federal reports and documentation.

Elementary Curriculum & Instruction Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight for elementary curriculum, instruction, assessment, intervention, and school improvement initiatives especially for grades 4 through 6
• Implement and monitor district instructional programs aligned with Alabama Course of Study standards.
• Oversee implementation of the Alabama Professional Learning Development System (APLDS) and other state-required leadership initiatives.
• Assist elementary principals and provide coaching and professional support.
• Evaluate elementary schools' administration at the direction of superintendent.
• Coordinate and support Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), Problem-Solving Teams (PSTs), and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).
• Monitor implementation of the Alabama Literacy Act and Alabama Numeracy Act.
• Assist in district efforts related to Third Grade Retention and Promotion Pathways.
• Oversee Student Reading Intervention Plans (SRIPs) and student intervention plans.
• Monitor literacy and numeracy screening processes, including Dyslexia Screeners, Early Numeracy Screeners, and Fractional Reasoning Screeners.
• Lead curriculum adoption, review, and implementation processes for elementary grades (4 th thru 6 th grades).
• Oversee elementary instructional math coaching programs, including co-supervision along with principal of math coach
• Partner with state agencies and educational organizations such as OMI, AMSTI and ALSDE initiatives to improve instructional effectiveness

SAYS Alternative Education Administration

• Provide administrative leadership and oversight of the district's alternative education program (SAYS).
• Manage student intake, placement, transition planning, and re-entry processes.
• Oversee scheduling, PowerSchool management, curriculum plans, and student records.
• Ensure compliance with ALSDE alternative education requirements and accountability standards.
• Prepare and maintain required documentation including Attestation Statements, Memorandums of Agreement (MOA), Fall Training Documentation, and other state-required reports.
• Coordinate services for students receiving Special Education, English Learner (EL), and Section 504 accommodations within the alternative education setting.
• Monitor student attendance, behavior intervention plans, corrective action plans, and academic progress.
• Ensure compliance with FERPA and due process requirements.
• Collaborate with juvenile justice agencies, mental health providers, parents, counselors, and community partners to support student success.

School Improvement & Student Achievement

• Work collaboratively with principals to ensure completion, implementation, and monitoring of Alabama Continuous Improvement Plans (ACIPs) for elementary schools and alternative education programs.
• Analyze student achievement data and facilitate data-driven decision making.
• Support school improvement initiatives designed to increase student performance and close achievement gaps.
• Lead district initiatives focused on literacy, numeracy, intervention services, and instructional effectiveness.
• Coordinate after-school tutoring programs, Saturday school programs, and supplemental instructional services.

Leadership Development & Professional Learning

• Facilitate professional development opportunities for administrators, teachers, instructional coaches, and support staff.
• Develop leadership cohorts and professional learning communities for administrators.
• Promote continuous professional growth aligned with district and state priorities.

· Provide leadership and oversight for the successful implementation of a comprehensive mentoring program for all new and probationary teachers, ensuring that program activities align with district expectations, support professional growth, and operate within the scope of this job description.

Fiscal Management & Budget Oversight

• Develop, monitor, and manage budgets for Special Education, Elementary Curriculum & Instruction, and SAYS programs.
• Oversee multiple state and federal funding sources and ensure compliance with all fiscal requirements.
• Monitor Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirements and special education fiscal compliance.
• Prepare requisitions, purchase orders, grant applications, and budget reports.
• Maintain vendor relationships and coordinate procurement of instructional resources and services.
• Ensure timely submission of fiscal reports, audits, reconciliations, and grant documentation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Extensive knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, FERPA, Alabama Literacy Act, Alabama Numeracy Act, and ALSDE regulations.
• Strong leadership, communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to analyze and interpret educational data.
• Knowledge of instructional best practices and school improvement processes.
• Experience in budget development and fiscal management.
• Proficiency with PowerSchool, Google Workspace, state reporting systems, and educational technology platforms.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, and use hands and fingers.
• Frequently required to reach, bend, stoop, kneel, and lift materials.
• Must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and periodically up to 50 pounds.
• Requires travel between district locations and attendance at meetings, trainings, and state conferences.

EVALUATION

Performance shall be evaluated in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Barbour County Board of Education and the Superintendent.

OTHER DUTIES

Performs such other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job goals, qualifications, and responsibilities and the employee may be required to perform other related duties as assigned. The Barbour County Board of Education Division of Human Resources reserves the right to amend the job description as needed, without notice.

THE BARBOUR COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER and does not discriminate based on age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religious preference, marital status, disability, national origin, or any other reason prohibited by state or federal law. Employees of the District are required to comply with the provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments.