<p>Westwood Public Schools</p> <p>Director of Student Services</p> <p>The Role:</p> <p>The Westwood Public Schools seeks a Director of Student Services to provide leadership to a strong and dedicated department that supports students from their preschool years all the way through early adulthood and transition to the workforce. The Director provides leadership and vision for all schools and the district in the areas of special education, health services, guidance and mental health services, English language education, and related academic and SEL supports. Under the Director's leadership, the district assesses and responds effectively to student and family needs by providing a comprehensive array of services. The Director also serves as a champion for inclusive programs and practices and for the rights of all students to receive a free and appropriate public education.</p> <p>Our District:</p> <p>Westwood is a welcoming suburban community with an exceptional track record of supporting and celebrating its public schools. As a district, we are committed to creating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, and we understand that a diverse team allows us to serve our community better. We welcome and encourage individuals of every race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status to seek opportunities within our school district.</p> <p>You will join the strong professional learning community of the Westwood Public Schools. In our mission to prepare students for college, career, and civic life, we work collaboratively to provide rich and rigorous curriculum, high-quality instruction, trusting relationships, and authentic educational experiences. We hold true to our core district values of academic excellence and a commitment to improvement; curiosity and tenacity; and respectful relationships in a caring, collaborative community.</p> <p>With approximately 2,800 students in grades K - 12, as well as a thriving integrated preschool program, the district provides a close-knit sense of community while offering a comprehensive array of academic programs and co-curricular activities. We are particularly proud of the continuum of services available to support our students.</p> <p>Our educators model and encourage a deep investment in learning. Coursework focuses on preparing students for college and careers while also providing them with opportunities to try new things and explore their passions in depth. Westwood is a proud METCO district, with strong program leadership and an unwavering commitment to supporting the values of the nation's oldest and most successful public school racial integration program.</p> <p>Required Qualifications</p> <ul> <li>Current Massachusetts license as an Administrator of Special Education </li><li>5+ years experience as an Special Education administrator </li><li>Master's degree in a relevant education field </li></ul> <p>Essential Functions and Responsibilities:</p> <ul> <li>Provides effective leadership and vision for all schools and the district in the area of special education, health services, guidance and mental health, ELE, and related services. </li><li>Works in partnership with other district administrators and school-based leaders to pursue strategic initiatives aligned with the district's values, vision and mission. </li><li>Coordinates the assessment of district-wide special education, health, and guidance needs on an ongoing basis and oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services to meet those needs </li><li>Builds high performing school and program-based teams that engender community trust through collaboration, transparency, and competence. </li><li>Engages all stakeholders and promotes a team oriented approach to projects in order to promote ownership and accountability. </li><li>Has a thorough knowledge of the law relating to special education and develops guidelines and procedures that ensure consistent compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, and represents the district at BSEA proceedings. </li><li>Prepares and submits all reports required by the superintendent, school committee, and state or federal agencies in a timely manner. </li><li>Coordinates the preparing and submission of exhibits as part of Tiered Focused Monitoring reviews. </li><li>Ensures stability and programmatic improvement over time through the development and responsible management of the student services budgets. </li><li>Writes and manages federal and state grant applications and amendments </li><li>Creates and submits Circuit Breaker reimbursement claims </li><li>Recruits, hires, supervises and mentors key student services personnel, supports building principles and department heads in the generation of performance evaluations of all special education and student support personnel. </li><li>Works with department leaders to plan and implement professional development and evaluation for student services staff members. </li><li>Partners with the Westwood SEPAC, Youth and Family Services, and other organizations to support families. </li><li>Participates actively in job-alike groups and Collaborative networks at the local and regional level. </li><li>Serves as a key member of the district's negotiating team in collective bargaining with multiple unions (Westwood Teachers Association, IA/ABA Tutor Union). </li><li>Provides training, consultation and support to administrators for issues involving </li><li>student discipline. </li><li>bullying and harassment. </li><li>requirements and DCF contact under 51A. </li><li>de-escalation and restraint. </li><li>Provide supervision and oversight to out-of-district coordinator and placement of students in OOD school settings. </li><li>Consults legal counsel in matters related to student rights, the provision of services and student discipline. </li><li>Coordinates student record retention and release/disposal. </li><li>Monitors and consults with student support teams, and oversees the provision of </li><li>home/hospital services for eligible students </li><li>McKinney-Vento Act services and other supports for students in transition </li><li>assistive technology and assessment materials </li><li>EL support needs, including translation and interpretation </li><li>student 504 accommodations </li><li>contract services </li><li>Performs additional duties as assigned by the superintendent. </li></ul> <p>Job Environment:</p> <p>Work takes place in classrooms and other building rooms/areas, including offices, auditorium, gym, lunchroom and hallways, within a school building setting, primarily indoors. Job takes place in a high-performing school district with high expectations.</p> <p>Physical Requirements:</p> <ul> <li>Requires sufficient vision to read printed documents and to view detail on a computer screen for extended periods. </li><li>Requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, and reaching, as well as carrying and occasionally lifting up to 30 lbs. </li><li>Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation, on the telephone, and in the classroom. </li><li>Ability to hear sounds clearly up to twenty feet. </li><li>Travel among buildings may be required. </li></ul> <p>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.</p> <p>The Westwood Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.</p>