Assistant Superintendent of Special Populations

The Assistant Superintendent of Special Populations is a cabinet-level executive leader who reports directly to the Superintendent and provides strategic vision, leadership, and oversight for the District's programs and services that support the academic success, well-being, and equitable outcomes of students with specialized learning needs. This position leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a comprehensive system of support that ensures high-quality, culturally responsive, and legally compliant services across Special Education, Multilingual Learner Services, Highly Capable Services, Native American Education, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and Early Learning/Pre-K programs. As a member of the Superintendent's Cabinet, the Assistant Superintendent collaborates across all divisions to align services with the District's strategic priorities, foster inclusive educational practices, strengthen partnerships with families and communities, and ensure that every student has equitable access to rigorous learning opportunities, the supports they need to thrive, and pathways for future success. Essential Functions: 25% District, School and Family Engagement: Serves as a representative of the Superintendent, on various internal and community boards and committees. Attends or chairs a variety of meetings as appropriate. Represents the District in collaborative partnerships and taskforces with the City, County, and human service agencies. Collaborates with other District departments to resolve student issues related to placement transfer, discipline, complaint, appeals, investigations, and litigation. Develops integrated service delivery models and expanded outreach to students and families. Coordinates with community agencies, schools, Enrollment Planning, Admissions and other District departments to ensure that student needs are appropriately assessed and that services meet student needs. Works with other District administrators to coordinate summer school and other special programs and services. Negotiates building sites and room space, hires and assigns staff, coordinates transportation and child nutrition support. Responds to staff and parent questions and concerns regarding special education services. In conjunction with the district Legal department, facilitates responses and action plans related to Due Process and Citizen Complaints. Serves as an articulate, informed spokesperson for the District at both formal and informal speaking engagements and in the development of written documents describing District program services. Provides leadership in maximizing utilization of all resources to achieve high quality learning and working environments. Develops and oversees efforts to increase opportunities for family and community partnerships and involvement. Ensures appropriate communication with parents regarding the education of their children with special needs. Meets regularly with the Seattle Education PTSA and Special Education Advocacy and Advisory Committee parent groups as well as other stakeholders as needed. 20% Central Office Leadership: Works collaboratively with all District administrative offices to ensure compliance with applicable employment laws, District procedures and processes, and federal and state requirements governing areas of assignment. Maintains familiarity with educational trends, research and best practices in special programs, as well as general education. Works cooperatively within the Student Support Services on implementation of Washington State reform mandates, including collaboration across the K-12 general education and special programs. Informs policy, shapes procedures related to policy and strategic direction. Analyzes and prioritizes the needs of schools to inform the practice and supports of central office in service of schools on emerging trends and issues. Facilitates, coordinates and collaborates with central office departments to ensure success for all SPS initiatives and implementation of school-based operations. Works with the Superintendent and other system leaders to implement the district’s strategic plan, its intent and metrics. Collaborates with the Superintendent, Student Services, Teaching and Learning, and Human Resources, in support of the improvement of instruction at all schools and implement sound strategies across content and programs. Explicitly models, through communication and actions, the core values and beliefs essential in supporting the SPS strategic plan. Assists in the interpretation of district policies, rules and regulations and makes recommendations regarding their formulation or modification. Represents the various departments in identifying program needs and authorizing program resources and monitors use of such resources. Works collaboratively with other departments to determine program placements and project enrollments of eligible students. Coordinates with District administrators, school principals and staff regarding the instruction and support services for areas of assignment. Serves as a project leader; facilitates/participates on various District and department committees; works as a team member within department and with other District staff to coordinate integrated services. Identifies professional development needs, and coordinates professional development opportunities that will enhance program, staff and student success. Coordinates and conducts workshops, orientations and professional development regarding areas of assignment; serves as a resource to staff on program and compliance issues. 15% Program and Service Improvement: Manages and oversees the administration of assigned departmental programs and services. Establishes program goals and objectives and applicable instructional strategies and delivery models. Coordinates with building principals regarding the development of programs within individual schools. Directs the project management of the Special Education Review and other District priorities. Support principals to develop, implement, monitor and adjust Comprehensive School Improvement Plans (C-SIP) centered on improving instructional leadership and systems of support to improve inclusive instructional practices that impact outcomes for students receiving legally required services. Makes data-driven decisions. Disaggregated data must be at the table. Opens and acts on direct feedback to improve their own performance. Works effectively with school communities to build strong partnerships with families and community through authentic engagement. Provides recommendations for middle school principal and assistant principal hires to the Superintendent. Assists school principals with interpreting relevant federal and state laws as they relate to school issues. Assists school principals in staffing, scheduling and budgeting as needed. 15% Accountability: Identifies student needs and positions required to meet those needs. Coordinates and partners with school principals and Human Resources staff to recruit, select and hire candidates. Supervises, assigns, evaluates and disciplines department staff. Makes presentations to District administrators and convenes District administrators and staff to discuss issues regarding areas of assignment. Supports the implementation of inclusive and effective teaching strategies at schools. Assists with the development, implementation and monitoring of corrective actions. 15% Sound Fiscal Development and Program Accountability: Participates in District budget development and staffing processes. Provides background and research data, monitors reports and is responsible for management of assigned budget. Reviews building plans for program and fiscal compliance and feasibility. Serves as a resource in the development of plans which include, but are not limited to, academic achievement, service delivery, parent involvement and professional development. Integrates ways to assess and evaluate effectiveness of services and instruction. 10% District Policy and Governance: Participates with the superintendent and other district leaders to ensure the development and maintenance of a positive educational program that meets the needs of learners and is consistent with the policies and direction of the Board of Directors. Drafts Board policy and administrative procedures in areas of responsibility and serves as the District spokesperson for the implementation and policy interpretation. Directs special projects as assigned by the Superintendent and conducts and facilitates school board presentations. OTHER FUNCTIONS: Maintains current knowledge of federal, state, and grant regulations and related jurisprudence. Seeks regulatory interpretations from General Counsel’s Office. Assists school principals in preparing and distributing state and federal compliance reports and preparing for the federal and state yearly reports and audits. Assists in the development of appropriate parent and community involvement strategies. May perform related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position. #J-18808-Ljbffr Centralia School District