Executive Director of Special Services

Salary: $160,000.00 - $178,000.00 Annually
Location : Andover Public Schools, Andover, MA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: S26288
Department: Superintendent/Asst Superintendents' Office
Opening Date: 05/06/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Minimum Hours per Week: 40


Description


The Executive Director of Special Services reports directly to the Superintendent of Schools and is responsible for the overall quality of the Andover Public School District's Special Education Program, including transportation, homeless students, counselors, and Coordinators. The Executive Director of Special Services is expected to provide a vision for the schools in the area of special education; serve as a resource for administrators, teachers, and staff; provide leadership for the special education faculty and staff; work with the Superintendent to develop collaborative special and regular education initiatives; and oversee the preparation and management of the school system's special education budget.

Responsibilities


Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides leadership in the development, implementation and coordination of the district's special education program including transportation, in compliance with state and federal laws and the IDEA.
• Actively monitors programs and staff through high visibility and engagement with staff.
• Designs cost effective programs and models for service delivery that meets the needs of special education students.
• Analyzes complex student cases and identify the appropriate school and/or district response that complies with special education regulations, policy, and procedures.
• Participates in the process of hiring Special Education staff in collaboration with principals to develop and implement curriculum, instructional activities, and programs for special education students.
• Coordinates the recruitment of staff with the principals and special education program heads; manages the scheduling and assignment of all supervised personnel in cooperation with building principals.
• Determine specialist caseloads, case assignments and attend Team meetings as needed.
• Provides for the supervision and evaluation of special education staff and school psychologists.
• Prepares and carefully monitors the special services budget and is the liaison between contracted providers for supplemental services.
• Develops financial reports as required by the Superintendent in the management of the school budget.
• Prepare for Public School Monitoring (PSM) and Mid Cycle Reviews for special education.
• Oversee the student management system for special education, state reports, and Circuit Breaker reporting related to special education and pupil services.
• Supervise procedures for screening, evaluation, implementation of educational plans, and follow-up assessment of students serviced by the special education staff.
• In cooperation with principals, coordinates the work of teacher assistance teams and the MTSS process.
• Participate in the hiring, supervision and retention of certified, therapeutic and support staff.
• Work with special educators and classroom teachers to develop collaborative, inclusive classrooms, as well as programs that focus on specialized strategies.
• Provide curriculum leadership involving the application of the curriculum frameworks, specialized instructional materials and the development of alternative assessment tools.
• Performs other duties and assumes other responsibilities as may be assigned by the Superintendent.
• Coordinate and work collaboratively with the Special Education Parent Advisory Council.
• Present information to the administration and the School Committee regarding student services and programs.
• Coordinate technology resources for the department and assist with the maintenance and operation of the IEP web-based program.
• As necessary, represents the Andover Public Schools with the Bureau of Special Education Appeals.
• Serves as a liaison to community agencies, courts, hospitals, and clinics on special education, guidance, and health matters.
• Interpret existing special education policies and regulations to staff and make recommendations concerning the formulation and update of policies and regulations.
• Participates in School Committee, subcommittees, and other applicable meetings when requested.
• In consultation with the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, plans and coordinates professional learning activities for special education staff and instructional assistants.
• Prepares and administers federal and state grant proposals including student services. Provides data necessary for reports to the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning and Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Administration.
• Work with the Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Administration to obtain and track funding/reimbursement for special services; responsible for the fiscal management of all designated funds related to student services.
• Prepare and submit federal and DESE special education grants that reflect district needs and goals.
• Provide the Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Administration with regular updates on the changing variables in the budget.
• Approves out-of-district placements and services as well as develops appropriate programs on-site.
• Prepares and administers the budget for special education, tuition accounts and other support services.
• Supervises transitions from early intervention through post graduate programs and coordinates services with state agencies.
• Monitors billing for the Municipal Medicaid Reimbursement program.
• Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines for each area of responsibility.
• Keeps abreast of developments in the fields of special education, student assessment and school health programs.
• Assist with MCAS administration and groupings, data review, curriculum assessment and development.
• Serve as the Co-Chairperson of the Crisis Intervention Team and support the Title IV and Title IX process.
• Assign student testing and evaluation responsibilities.
• Serves as liaison to the CREST Collaborative for Andover.
• Attend School Committee meetings as required by the Superintendent.
• Complete state reports and other reports as assigned by the Superintendent.
• Perform other tasks and assume other responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools.

Qualifications

• Masters or higher in School Administration & Special Education.
• MA Licensure Supervisor/Director.
• Special Education Administrator.
• Minimum of five years' experience in special education, with administrative experience preferred.
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations regarding students in both regular and special education.

Supplemental Information
Salary: The salary for this position is anticipated to fall within the range of $160,000 to $178,000, with final placement determined based on the selected candidate's qualifications, including experience, education, and demonstrated leadership in special education.
Evaluation: Evaluated annually by the Superintendent of Schools.


Andover Public Schools (APS) seeks candidates who embody our ethos, which includes valuing the identities of all students, high expectations for all students, teaching excellence, collaboration, innovation, respect, and responsibility. APS is committed to hiring and supporting a racially and ethnically diverse faculty and staff. Racially and ethnically diverse teachers produce a myriad of positive outcomes for all students, especially the most historically marginalized students.