Position: Interim Director of Pupil Personnel Services

Department/Location: Nashoba Regional School District

Start: July 1, 2023

The Interim Director of Pupil Personnel Services is employed without regard to age, physical, mental or psychiatric disability, genetics, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin or military status.

NRSD welcomes employees with diverse racial, cultural, religious, class, and/or gender backgrounds and experiences.

The work of the Director of Pupil Personnel Services is influenced by NRSD’s core values of academic achievement and personal growth; voice, choice and agency; lifelong learning; a safe, caring and inclusive community; collaborative partnerships; innovation; and a sense of belonging for all.

Only applicants who are licensed as a Supervisor/Director of Pupil Services in the State of Massachusetts are eligible for consideration.

Organizational Scope:

Reporting directly to the Superintendent of Schools, the Director of Pupil Personnel Services leads through a lens of equity in coordinating programs related to special education, speech, OT/PT, psychological assessment, and homebound and out-of-district instruction. Additionally, the Director of Pupil Personnel Services oversees and ensures Section 504 plan implementation, counseling services, collection of 51A records, and represents the district in the Assabet Valley Collaborative. The Director of Pupil Personnel Services is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the programs, budgets, grants, staff and parent/community relations concerning Pupil Personnel Services.

Position Responsibilities:

• Plans, directs, and coordinates the delivery of special education, in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations;
• Collaborates with principals in the hiring of Special Education, and Related Services Staff;
• Serves as the school administrator of special education under regulations 603 CMR Section 18.00 sub. 2 (Program and Safety Standards for Approved Public or Private Day and Residential Special Education School Programs;
• Works with special educators and classroom teachers to develop collaborative, inclusive classrooms, as well as programs that focus on specific disability needs;
• Oversees school 504 coordinators (Principal/Designee) in the implementation of 504 accommodations, in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations (excluding medical 504 plans);
• Consults with Director of Health, Wellness and Safety on medical 504 plans;
• Initiates staff development programs designed to promote growth and to ensure compliance with changing regulations;
• Establishes program goals and objectives and assess outcomes;
• Prepares, administers and monitors the Pupil Personnel Services budget and grants, using the current Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) funding criteria;
• Provides the Superintendent and Finance Director with regular updates on the changing variables in the Pupil Personnel Services budget;
• Meets regularly with the Finance Director to anticipate and monitor Pupil Personnel Services expenditures and reimbursements;
• Oversees the preparation of DESE reports to monitor yearly trends;
• Arranges for tutors for children at home and in hospital placements;
• Collaborates with the Special Education Parent Advisory Council;
• Prepares and submits DESE Special Education Grants;
• Oversees transportation of special education, English learners, and homeless students;
• Attends special education Team meetings when necessary;
• Collaborates with the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning in the planning and supports staff professional development through in-service workshops and dissemination of information and resources on job-related topics and conferences;
• Coordinates the district’s presentation at Bureau of Special Education Appeals for mediations and hearings;
• Serves on a variety of councils and committees to advocate for the needs of at risk students and fosters communication with school district staff as well as with members of the NRSD community;
• Collaborates with all TEAM Chairpersons and meets with them bi-weekly;
• Collaborates with all counselors and meets with department leaders monthly;
• Oversees Medicaid claims;
• Evaluates the Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services, if such a position exists;
• Evaluates all TEAM Chairpersons and assigned special education staff in accordance with the Teacher Supervision and Evaluation Tool;
• Oversees and annually submits MA Circuit Breaker Reimbursement; and
• Oversees 51A case reports and counsels educators on the roles and responsibilities of mandated reporters.
• Consults with principals on student code of conduct investigations as needed;
• Brief the Superintendent on all special education cases requiring legal counsel;
• The omission of specific duties here does not exclude them from the position’s responsibilities if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Job Qualifications:

• Licensure by MA DESE as. Supervisor/Director of Pupil Services
• Master’s degree or higher with graduate work in school administration, special education, counseling, or pupil personnel services.
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion best practices.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in budget development/management, program development, and staff supervision, and experience in grant writing and management.
• Knowledge of legal requirements in special education and pupil personnel services
• Knowledge of child/adolescent development and the learning needs of children
• Knowledge of current teaching practices, inclusion, education reform, and technology
• Experience in parent/community relations, interpersonal skills and the ability to relate well with students, staff, administration, parents and the community.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to manage one’s own workload and prioritize tasks.
• Must be able to assist in the protection of students and school property, and assist or lead in fire and other emergencies or drills as required by law and School Committee policy.

Physical Demands:

Most work is performed in a typical office environment requiring minimal to light physical effort. This may include everyday discomforts and distractions typical of office settings, such as proximity to colleagues, temperature variations, frequent interruptions and moderate noise. This position may require the ability to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment at efficient speed and for lengthy periods of time.

Terms of Employment, Evaluation of Performance, and Salary:

The Director of Pupil Personnel Services is a year-round, full-time, FLSA exempt position. Terms of employment, including salary, are negotiated individually with the Superintendent of Schools. Performance will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the School Committee’s policy on Evaluation of Professional Personnel.