Director of Special Education

LICKING HEIGHTS BOARD OF EDUCATION

FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITION:

Director of Special Education

Must possess or be eligible for an appropriate Ohio Department of Education

Teaching License

How To Apply:

You must complete the entire online application to be considered for a position.

Providing a resume, and additional attachments are optional. Please also provide complete reference information for each reference including name, address, phone and email address.

Licking Heights does place an emphasis on accepting a diverse pool of candidates reflecting the school district's student population.

Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Employment Opportunity: The Licking Heights Local School District Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), military status, ancestry, or age in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.

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JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

CONTRACTED DAYS: 260

RESPONSIBLE TO: ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT

INTRODUCTION:

At Licking Heights Local Schools, our commitment to student success drives everything we do. We believe in providing equitable, personalized learning experiences focused on building character skills and achieving academic excellence. Our comprehensive framework, addressing milestones from kindergarten readiness to college and career competencies, ensures that every student thrives academically, socially, and emotionally. We are dedicated to creating a positive school culture where students can explore their talents through extracurricular activities, fostering well-rounded and socially responsible citizens.

To be successful at Licking Heights Local Schools, staff members must embody a range of skills, including:

Passion for education and student well-being

Effective mentoring and guidance for students

Strong communication and collaboration skills

Continuous learning and professional development

Forward-thinking planning and strategic decision-making

Openness to two-way communication and community engagement We are dedicated to supporting our staff through comprehensive induction, providing ongoing professional development aligned with our district's vision, and creating a safe and empowering school environment where every individual can flourish. Join us in our mission to provide an exceptional education experience that prepares students for success in school, career, and life.

JOB GOAL: The Director of Special Education has the primary responsibility in the development and implementation of the Special Education Department and the Preschool program for Licking Heights Local Schools.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Master's degree

Valid Ohio teacher's certificate/license

Administrative license

State of Ohio special education licensure preferred

Supervisory experience preferred

Five years special education classroom experience preferred

Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent and/or Board Of Education may find appropriate PERFORMANCE ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Recommends numbers and caseload information for special education staffing.

Direct the Special Education program on a district-wide basis carrying out the policies of the Board of Education; assist in the planning and development of policies for the district as related to all Special Education programming.

Assist the building principals in implementing and improving the Special Education program within their buildings; meet regularly with the building principals individually or collectively to discuss Special Education concerns.

Supervise Certified and Classified Special Education personnel in accordance with board policy. Special Education personnel shall include but not be limited to Intervention Specialists, Psychologists, Speech Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Aides.

Evaluate Special Education Staff members including, but not limited to, Coordinators, School Psychologist, Related Services Providers.

Work closely with the Superintendent, other administrators, LHEA, and LHESPA in developing in-service education programs and keeping all staff members aware of Special Education concerns. When directed, work with those staff members in need of improved instructional strategies, specifically in Special Education programming and assistance

Provide and share curricular ideas mutually beneficial to the district, providing assistance in district Special Education program, implementation requirements, materials and resources, and work closely with those on extended assignments to assure continuity in program implementation and quality.

Apprise the Superintendent of budgetary needs related to the Special Education program, assist building principals in the inventory and distribution of all district-wide program materials; assist in all aspects of the purchasing procedure and use of instructional materials.

Oversee the IEP implementation out of District placed students K-12.

Collaborate on the Special Education Funding portion of the CCIP/Catastrophic funding.

Serve as the Compliance Officer for Special Education students.

Oversees the development, implementation, and compliance of Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) processes and procedures throughout the district

Oversee the Preschool program in collaboration with PK-6 Curriculum Director.

Keep the Superintendent informed of all activities and needs as they relate to the position-i.e. busing and related services.

Take prime responsibility for the development of the annual report of the school district concerning Special Education as requested by the Superintendent.

Coordinate and review all initial and re-evaluations of I.E.P. (Individual Education Plan)

Perform other tasks assigned by the Superintendent, including,

Maintaining a working and resourceful relationship with the educational service center and other contracting agencies for professional and district's best interests.

Facilitates the creation of contracts with outside agencies and oversees board approval preparation for the contracts.

Collaborates with local ESCs to for training, hiring, and facilitating PD

Conducts ongoing audits of programming and staffing as the needs of students change

WORK ENVIRONMENT CHARACTERISTIC CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics, described here, are not listed in order of importance, and are representative of those an employee encounters while completing the duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the responsibilities. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.

Frequent work that may extend beyond the normal workday

Occasional exposure to blood, bodily fluids and tissue

Occasional operation of a vehicle under inclement weather conditions

Occasional interaction among unruly children/adults

Many situations that require hand motion, e.g., computer keyboard, typing and writing

Consistent requirements to sit, stand, walk, hear, see, read and speak, reach, stretch with hands and arms, crouch, kneel and climb and stoop

Required to lift, carry, push and pull various supplies and/or equipment up to a maximum of 50 pounds

EVALUATION: Performance of these duties will be evaluated annually by the Assistant Superintendent.

CREATED: July 9, 2019

October 24, 2024

March 24, 2025