TITLE: Student Support Services Director   

QUALIFICATIONS: Master's Degree or Alternate Pathway defined in Bulletin 746, Education Leader Endorsement or Supervisor of Instruction Endorsement, School Administration Experience Preferred, such alternatives to the preceding qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate and acceptable. 

SUPERVISES: Special Education Supervisor, Pupil Appraisal Personnel, District- Level Special Education Personnel, Speech Therapists, School Nurses and Contract Service Employees

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 12-Month

COMPENSATION: 12-Month Director Salary Schedule     

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.  Strategic Leadership & Systems Oversight

   a.  Visionary Leadership: Lead the strategic planning and implementation of all special education and student support programs (Special Ed, 504, Gifted/Talented, Nursing, and Pupil Appraisal) to ensure an inclusive, high-achievement culture.

   b.  Program Evaluation: Systematically monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of special education programs through data analysis and instructional "learning walks," recommending systemic improvements or reorganizations to the Superintendent. 

   c.  Policy Governance: Serve as the primary authority on IDEA, Section 504, ADA, and Louisiana Bulletin 1508, ensuring all district activities exceed state and federal compliance standards.

   d.  District Alignment: Collaborate with the district leadership team to integrate special education goals into the broader district instructional focus and the Pupil Progression Plan.

    

2. Instructional Excellence & Support
   1. Inclusive Practice: Partner with school leadership teams to ensure students with exceptionalities receive high-quality, on-grade-level instruction through effective scaffolding and inclusive classroom models.
   2. Professional Learning: Design and lead district-wide professional development for administrators, master teachers, and paraprofessionals, focusing on research-based interventions and instructional best practices.
   3. Facility & Resource Design: Collaborate with district leadership on the design of learning environments and the procurement of specialized equipment to optimize the delivery of student services.
3. Operational & Fiscal Management
   1. Fiscal Stewardship: Develop, justify, and oversee federal and state special education budgets, grants, and allocations, ensuring maximum resource efficiency and strict expenditure control.
   2. Revenue Optimization: Supervise the district's school-based Medicaid administration and billing processes to ensure compliance and maximize reimbursement.
   3. Personnel Management: In coordination with the Supervisor of Personnel, lead the recruitment, scheduling, and evaluation of specialized staff (Pupil Appraisal, Nurses, Speech Therapists) and provide direct coaching to the Special Education Coordinator.
   4. Logistical Coordination: Oversee complex support logistics, including special education transportation, homebound instruction requests, and the Extended School Year (ESY) program.
4. Liaison & Stakeholder Engagement
   1. State & Federal Liaison: Serve as the official district representative to the LDOE and other regulatory bodies for all matters concerning student support services.
   2. Community Partnership: Facilitate the Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) and lead biannual engagement summits for parents and caregivers to foster transparency and collaboration.
   3. Conflict Resolution: Act as the district-level point of contact for resolving parental complaints or grievances, ensuring a fair and policy-driven investigative process.
5. Compliance & Data Integrity
   1. Reporting Excellence: Direct the timely preparation and submission of all annual LEA plans, state reports, and data entry into LDOE platforms.
   2. Legal Safeguards: Ensure rigorous adherence to Child Find mandates, IEP development, and disciplinary procedures (Manifestation Determinations) in compliance with Louisiana Revised Statutes.
   3. Safety & Health: Oversee the district's nursing program, AED maintenance, and Act 696 behavioral health provider integrations.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 

I. Professionalism & Ethical Conduct

1. Ethical Standards: Adhere to all Allen Parish School Board policies, including Employee Conduct, Sexual Harassment, Confidentiality, and the Louisiana Code of Ethics.
2. Professional Presence: Maintain a professional appearance and the highest standards of personal conduct, serving as a model of respect, poise, and integrity for all stakeholders.
3. Communication Excellence: Communicate effectively and timely via face-to-face, phone, and electronic methods; maintain a daily practice of checking and responding to emails and urgent communications.
4. Workplace Reliability: Maintain regular attendance and punctuality; provide advance notice for absences and obtain Superintendent approval for extended leave or out-of-state travel.

II. Operational Excellence & Accountability

1. Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all activities conform to requirements established by the School Board (LEA), LDOE, BESE, and Federal regulations.
2. Administrative Accuracy: Complete and submit all forms, reports, and data entry accurately and within established deadlines without the need for direct supervision.
3. Resource & Time Management: Perform job responsibilities consistently, exercising good judgment and technical expertise while ensuring the proper care of district materials and equipment.
4. Internal Reporting: Keep the direct supervisor informed of progress within assigned areas and conduct an annual self-evaluation of performance goals.

III. Leadership & Collaboration

1. Strategic Alignment: Support and implement district initiatives and directives from the Superintendent and School Board, aligning all efforts with the district's instructional focus.
2. Data-Driven Decision Making: Collaborate with district and school leaders to analyze student data, establish measurable goals, and monitor the effectiveness of action plans.
3. Personnel Leadership: Direct, supervise, and evaluate assigned personnel; this includes leading recruitment, hiring, orientation, and managing performance improvement or intensive assistance plans.
4. Staff Development: Stay abreast of professional trends by attending local, state, and national meetings; plan and deliver high-quality professional development for district staff as required.

IV. District Representation & Engagement

1. Meeting Attendance: Attend and participate in all required meetings as directed, including School Board/Committee meetings, IEP/IAP sessions, weekly staffing, and district-level leadership meetings.
2. Stakeholder Engagement: Actively participate in school and community events (graduations, orientations, open houses, and recruitment fairs) to support student success and community relations.
3. Crisis & Continuity Management: Support district crisis management plans during emergencies (such as inclement weather) and perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent to ensure organizational continuity.

PHYSICAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND OTHER CONDITIONS: 

The physical abilities, working conditions and other conditions of employment listed in this document are representative of, but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of the requirements for positions in this classification. In the event of an emergency or situation requiring guidance from Federal, State, or local or school district authorities, the requirements of this position may change temporarily or for the school year to best serve the needs of our students. 

1. Strength
   1. Ability to stand, sit, walk, reach, bend, lift, push, pull and/or carry objects which weigh 10 � 50 pounds on a frequent basis. Incumbent may be required to physically restrain parties involved in a conflict.
2. Transportation
   1. Ability to provide own transportation to schools, work locations and meeting sites.
3. Environmental Requirements
   1. Ability to encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others; work independently; work indoors and outdoors.
4. Mental Requirements
   1. Ability to read, write, understand, interpret and apply information at a moderately complex level essential for successful job performance; judgement and the ability to process information quickly; learn quickly and follow verbal procedures and standards; give verbal instruction; rank tasks in order of importance; copy, compare, compile and coordinate information and records

While the operation of the Allen Parish School Board and its schools is governed by the provisions of this and all other policies, as well as the procedures of the individual schools, no policy manual can list each and every instance of misconduct that is precluded. Accordingly, employees are cautioned that the appropriateness of certain action or behavior must necessarily be dictated by the nature of the position held by the employee and commonsense. By virtue of one's education and experience, an employee knows and understands that certain actions or conduct are unacceptable even in the absence of formal policy. For instance, without the need of a specific prohibition or warning, a classroom teacher should be aware of the impropriety of certain practices such as leaving students unattended, using profanity or or sexually suggestive language or bringing a firearm onto campus. Such conduct constitutes both incompetence and willful neglect of duty and will result in the imposition of discipline up to and including termination.