Director of Special Services

Director of Special Services

The Director of Special Services provides strategic leadership, administrative oversight, and supervisory expertise in developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs and related services for exceptional children and students with disabilities (Preschool through age 21). Working directly with the Assistant Superintendent, district leadership, school administrators, and community partners, the Director ensures system-wide academic achievement, full regulatory compliance, and inclusive educational practices aligned with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) and Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) Core Teaching Standards and Learning Progressions for Teachers.

Performance responsibilities include:

• Promoting a shared district vision of academic success, well-being, and high expectations for all students with disabilities and exceptional needs.
• Serving as a transparent, ethical leader who acts with integrity, fairness, and legal responsibility across all district programs and operations.
• Ensuring all educational programs and related services are delivered using inclusive, equitable practices across all district school buildings.
• Leading district-wide efforts in evaluating, selecting, and implementing research-based special education curricular programs and evidence-based instructional strategies.
• Coordinating comprehensive related services—including Psychological, Educational Diagnostic, Speech/Language, Occupational, and Physical Therapy—to support the holistic well-being of students.
• Facilitating district-wide, high-quality professional development for special education teachers, early childhood educators, diagnosticians, specialists, and paraeducators.
• Fostering a collaborative culture among general educators, special educators, service providers, and administrators to support inclusive service delivery.
• Establishing strong, collaborative partnerships with parents, guardians, and advocacy groups to enhance family engagement in the IEP and 504 processes.
• Assisting the Assistant Superintendent, Business Manager, and Principals in developing, coordinating, and managing the special education departmental budget.
• Driving continuous district-wide improvement initiatives based on data analysis, student performance metrics, and state monitoring results.

Qualifications and certifications include:

• Currently hold or be eligible Director of Special Education Certification in the State of Delaware.
• Hold a valid Delaware Special Education Teacher Certification.
• Master's or Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from a regionally accredited institution; AND Master's degree in any field which includes a minimum of 30 semester hours in special education leadership AND completion of an approved program pursuant to 14 DE Admin. Code 1594; OR Hold a Standard School Principal Certificate AND complete an additional 9 graduate-level credit hours in educational leadership (or DE Department of Education approved equivalent).
• Minimum of five (5) years of administrative experience working with exceptional children/special education at the PreK–12 level (or equivalent). Principal experience or direct supervisory experience over special education programs/staff strongly preferred.
• Proficient knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, DE Administrative Code, and state/federal teacher personnel regulations.
• Exceptional interpersonal, team-building, organizational, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Proficiency with educational technology, student information systems, and computer applications.

Contact Information:

Name: Donna L. Mitchell Ed. D.

Title: Director of Human Resources

Street Address: 198 Commerce Way

City: Dover

State: DE

Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io

E-mail: View email address on click.appcast.io

Zip: 19904

For accommodations, contact the Capital School District Human Resources Office at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The Capital School District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or any protected category. Inquiries may be directed to the District Title IX, Section 504, or ADA Coordinators, 198 Commerce Way, Dover, DE 19904, View phone number on click.appcast.io.