Executive Director of Special Education

The WISD's Mission is to educate, serve, and advocate with students, families, schools and the community. We disrupt racial inequities, build just educational systems, and expand access for all learners. We value human potential while striving to support current and future generations of Washtenaw County to enrich as many lives as we possibly can. The WISD's Vision is to be a leader in empowering, facilitating, and delivering high-quality, boundary-spanning, educational system that educates all children through an equitable, inclusive, and holistic approach.

SUMMARY :

Executive Director of Special Education is responsible for leadership, program management, supervision, data management and analysis for programs and services for students. This position provides leadership in collaboration with respect to designing programs and services with local constituent districts. The complexity of an Executive Director role lies in managing large-scale systems, high-impact decisions, competing priorities, governance responsibilities, and organizational risk—while maintaining strategic vision, operational excellence, and stakeholder trust.rovides leadership, direction and strategic visioning for Washtenaw County career, technical, and applied education initiatives with a focus on access and opportunity for all youth in Washtenaw County. Creates a culture of collaboration across school districts, business communities, and college and university partners to increase access to CTE programming, apprenticeships, internships, and career development opportunities PreK-12 throughout the county. High-Stakes Accountability and Compliance Pressure Political and Relational Complexity Problem-Solving and Crisis Response Advocating at the State Level to influence policy Understanding the state and federal policies that may be on the horizon that need to be influenced. An Executive Director must exercise sound, ethical, and strategic judgment in making decisions that affect students, staff, programs, and the broader community. The role requires the ability to analyze complex data, interpret laws and policies, balance competing priorities, and anticipate long-term organizational impact. Effective judgment is demonstrated through informed decision-making in strategic planning, program oversight, resource allocation, personnel management, and compliance with federal and state regulations. The position also requires strong professional judgment in navigating sensitive personnel matters, promoting equity, and engaging stakeholders with clarity, integrity, and accountability.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Demonstrates a strong commitment to equity, social justice, and inclusion in all practices and position responsibilities. Demonstrates the ability to examine how his/her/their position (directly or indirectly) impacts educational inequities in student achievement outcomes. Engages in reflection and ongoing learning and development on critical concepts and terms identified in the Washtenaw ISD Educational Equity Policy including concepts such as cultural proficiency, racial equity, and systemic and structural inequities.• Builds systems to ensure all students have access to a high quality, free and appropriate education. Provides leadership, direction, vision, and support for inclusive approaches to schooling, program design, community partnerships, and collaboration with local districts. Provides leadership and direction for the implementation and evaluation of the Washtenaw ISD Special Education Plan.• Builds the capacity of local districts to continually improve their practices for all students and especially those with special needs. Establishes relationships in statewide/nationwide organizations and takes on a leadership role, influencing the policies, rules/regulations that impact our organization. Provides LEA and PSA special education director support. Attends monthly compliance meetings with PSAs, special education secretaries. Maintains positive professional relationships with staff, parents, administration and community. Promotes and coordinates interagency collaboration and efforts involved in the support of students with disabilities within the county. Oversees School-based Medicaid program for Washtenaw County. Stays informed of all legal requirements governing special education and shares this information with District administration and staff. Leads the Special Education Department in the implementation of District initiatives. Leads the development and review of policies, systems, and procedures to provide effective and coordinated delivery of special education services to all students in our programs. Assists in the recruitment, selection, and recommendation for hiring of special education, related services and support service staff.• Establishes and communicates a compelling vision for the WISD special education department that centers student outcomes, operational excellence, and a culture of high expectations for performance. Models and cultivates a results-driven, inclusive leadership culture that holds all team members accountable to clear goals and measurable outcomes. Builds and sustains a high-performing department leadership team through intentional coaching, professional development, and succession planning. Prepares local, state, federal and ISD reports related to special education and reports to the Deputy Superintendent. Represents the agency in public matters related to the education of students with disabilities. Demonstrates effective human relations and communication skills. Strategically and periodically evaluates District services and programs for students with disabilities. Identifies opportunities for greater effectiveness, efficiency and cost savings. Engages school leaders and instructional experts to ensure effective and efficient delivery of services. Manages departmental and program budgets for the Special Education Department. Prepares and supervises the preparation of reports, records, lists, budgets and all other paperwork required or appropriate. Requires influential outside/inside contacts involving very complex issues which call for a well-developed sense of strategy and timing. Acts as key spokesperson for the ISD and makes commitments regarding important matters. Represents staff and District at meetings and conferences. Supports WISD vision and mission to enhance achievement for all students. Supports a team-based approach to design, planning, and implementation. Abides by all applicable rules, regulations, policies procedures and statutes. Attends Board meetings regularly.• Provides excellent customer service and client-centered focus. Maintains regular predictable attendance. Performs other related duties as required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervises administrators, instructional staff, paraprofessionals, clerical staff, and contractors responsible for programs, projects and initiatives designed to advance the goals of the organization. Evaluates administrators and other assigned clerical staff. Assists in recruitment, selection, hiring, and mentoring for staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Alternative requirements that may be appropriate and acceptable to the Board of Education may be considered. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION and/or

EXPERIENCE

Master's degree in education or related field. Must meet Michigan Department of Education Administrator Certificate requirements in compliance with MCL 380.1536 and

MCL 380.1246.

Must satisfy all requirements set forth in Department of Education, Special Education Programs and Services, Administrative Rule 340.1771. Possesses full approval in at least one (1) area of Special Education. Possesses a minimum of three (3) years of successful professional practice or administrative experience in Special Education, or a combination of practice and experience. Possesses a proven successful experience as a Special Education Director (in Michigan) - preferred. Possesses verifiable evidence of the impact of their work in service of social justice and more equitable educational systems. Possesses knowledge of schools as organizations, change theory, and research on effective methods for improving instruction and changing teacher practice.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Demonstrates ability to read, analyze and interpret current research of the challenges of people of color and underrepresented individuals, periodicals, and professional journals. Demonstrates ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Demonstrates ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of children, educators, customers and the general public. Demonstrates ability to facilitate effective group processes. Demonstrates ability to express self clearly, both orally and in writing.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Demonstrates proficiency in the use of a personal computer (PC) or MAC in a networked environment to utilize the Internet and other electronic communication. Demonstrates ability to utilize productivity applications such as Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software), Office 365, and other technology to support efficient and effective office operation is required. Demonstrates ability to organize, prioritize and work independently, as well as cooperatively with diverse groups. Demonstrates ability to read and interpret technical procedures, governmental regulations and forms.

Strong budgeting and forecasting skills, and experience managing large-scale budgets.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

: Demonstrates ability to maintain program and grant budgets. Demonstrates ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Demonstrates ability to compute rate, ratio and percentage, and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Incorporate ideas into group processes and apply creative thinking to develop solutions. Highly proficient in the following areas: reasoning, problem solving, organizational dynamics and emotional intelligence. Demonstrates ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Demonstrates ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

: : Demonstrates ability to build rapport with others and to serve diverse publics. Demonstrates ability to take the initiative, work well with others as a collaborative team member and exhibit good communication skills. Demonstrates ability to work effectively and collaboratively with other departments, agencies, and individuals. • Demonstrates exceptionally well-developed communication and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with both classroom teachers and administrators at all levels.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak or listen. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, and stand. The employee is occasionally required to bend and/or twist at the trunk more than the average person. The employee is continuously repeating the same hand, arm, or finger motion many times. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds such as buildings and grounds equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The ability to travel to other buildings is required. The position requires the individual to sometimes work irregular or extended work hours and meet multiple demands from several people.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment varies (e.g. quiet/loud), depending upon the activity. Occasionally the employee may need to be outdoors for a short period of time, and therefore subject to varying weather conditions, for the purpose of accomplishing the essential functions of this job.

FUNCTIONS OF POSITION DESCRIPTION

This position description has been prepared to define the general duties of the position, provide examples of work and to detail the required knowledge, skills, and ability as well as the acceptable experience and training for the position. The description is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the duties of employees under supervision. The WISD retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from any portion of this description in its sole judgment. This position description is not a contract for employment. The WISD is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

TERMS:

Salary and other employment conditions to be established by the Board of Education as reflected in the Non-Affiliated Staff Manual. Starting salary ranging (dependent upon experience, as determined by the District) - GR 13 ($140,526 - $172,740). Washtenaw Intermediate School District is a drug-free an alcohol-free workplace. It is the policy and commitment of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any legally protected characteristic, in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, executive order 11246 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and all other pertinent state and Federal regulations.