District Coordinator of Special Education at Battle Creek Public Schools in Battle Creek, MI

Job description

Every Student. Every Dream. Every Day. At Battle Creek Public Schools (BCPS), we see, challenge, and support every scholar to reach their infinite potential . BCPS offers a range of innovative learning opportunities, including IB, arts, STEM, Career Academies, early childhood, and adult education, all grounded in academic excellence, equity, and community . Join a district that invests in its people. BCPS offers a $51,500 starting teacher salary , comprehensive benefits, tuition reimbursement, paid professional development, mentoring and instructional support, plus housing incentives (for teachers and administrators) of up to $20,000 for home purchase assistance and $4,500 in rental assistance. Apply now and build your career as a Bearcat! Position Summary The District Coordinator of Special Education serves as the district's local educational agency implementation representative and provides districtwide leadership to ensure that students with disabilities receive high-quality, legally compliant, inclusive, and results-driven services. The coordinator translates federal and state requirements into reliable systems, supports school leaders and staff in effective implementation, monitors the quality and impact of programs, and partners with families to improve student access, achievement, belonging, independence, and postsecondary readiness. The coordinator works in close collaboration with the Calhoun Intermediate School District Special Education Supervisors while maintaining district responsibility for staffing, implementation, reporting, and accountability. Position Responsibilities: District Leadership and Program Improvement Lead the design, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of special education programs and services across the district. Serve as the primary district liaison and implementation representative to the Calhoun Intermediate School District for special education matters. Establish clear district expectations for inclusive practices, specially designed instruction, accommodations, modifications, intervention, progress monitoring, and student support. Use student outcome, service, compliance, placement, attendance, discipline, and disproportionality data to identify needs, address inequities, and recommend action. Develop annual priorities, implementation plans, performance measures, and progress reports aligned with district goals. Advise district and school leaders regarding program design, staffing, scheduling, resource allocation, and service delivery. Compliance and Procedural Safeguards Ensure district practices comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 as assigned, the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education, state guidance, board policy, and applicable due process requirements. Monitor timelines, evaluations, eligibility determinations, individualized education programs, reevaluations, transfers, discipline procedures, transition requirements, and the provision of services. Maintain district procedures, forms, guidance, and records that support consistent and accurate implementation. Coordinate internal reviews, corrective action plans, state monitoring responses, complaints, mediation, and due process matters in consultation with district leadership and legal counsel. Collaborate with CISD Special Education Supervisors and CISD administration on IEP team meetings, planning meetings, manifestation determinations, independent educational evaluations, complaints, mediation, due process hearings, state monitoring, audits, and corrective action, as appropriate. Protect student confidentiality and ensure records are maintained in accordance with federal, state, and district requirements. Instructional Quality and Inclusive Practice Partner with curriculum, instruction, assessment, MTSS, student services, and school leadership teams to ensure students with disabilities have meaningful access to grade-level curriculum and high-quality instruction. S