Position Title: District Special Education Director

Reports To: District Superintendent

Supervises: Special Education Teachers, Paraprofessionals

Location: District Wide

Open: 3/9/2026

Start Date: July 1st, 2026

Position Summary: We are currently seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Special Education Director for the 2026-2027 year for Alaska Gateway School District.The ideal Special Education Director is responsible for abiding by the district's mission of empowering students to reach their full academic potential. This position involves overseeing special education services across a vast and diverse geographic area, ensuring “the kids we have right now–all of them” receive the support they need. Thus, the Special Education Director will serve as a key member of district administration and support staff, managing special education records, coordinating with other districts for student transfers, and compliance with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Alaska Gateway School District encompasses 28,000 square miles, serves approximately 400 students, and operates K-12 schools in: Tok, Dot Lake, Eagle, Tetlin, Mentasta Lake, and Northway. AGSD includes REACH Academy which is a statewide correspondence school. 

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Special Education/ Educational Leadership/School Administration

• Preferred Doctorate (Ed.D or Ph.D) in Education or Educational Leadership

• Alaska Teacher Certification Type B and Type A Teacher Certification with Special Education Endorsement. Preferred Type F Special Education Administrator Certificate

• 5-10 years of experience in special education.

• Knowledge of IEP compliance and IDEA regulations

• Preferred knowledge of staff supervision, budget management, and program management.

• Must have a valid AK driver's license, clean driving record with proof of insurance 

Duties and Responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Direct and supervise all district special education program (Pre K-12)

• Oversee due process hearings, mediations, and state complaints that align with federal and Alaska state special education regulations. 

• Monitor compliance of federal and Alaska state regulation including implementation of services under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). 

• Development of timely and accurate IEPs. 

• Serve as a Special Education district liaison with the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.

• Provide and maintain accurate report standards for Alaska state and federal audits including but not limited to child find obligations. 

• Ethical supervision of special education teachers, related services providers, and coordinators.

• Conduct Alaska state standard evaluations of special education staff. 

• Provide training and resources for professional development aligned with Alaska standards.

• Provide and support recruitment and retention of qualified staff in Alaska Gateway School District. 

• Develop and manage special education budgets. 

• Oversee IDEA Part B grant funds and state special education allocations. 

• Ensure compliance with maintenance efforts of (MOE) requirements, including contracts for related services such as: speech, OT, PT, etc. 

• Collaboration and communication with superintendent, principals, tribal organizations, rural communities, caregivers, and community agencies. 

• When appropriate, lead difficult IEP meetings and present monthly updates to the school board. 

• Ensure data accountability by; monitoring student performance and progress data, oversee state reporting systems, analyze compliance indicators and improvement plans, and lead corrective action plans if required by DEED. 

• Provide strategic planning initiatives that include but are not limited to; district wide special education improvement plans, inclusive practices, and least restrictive environment (LRE), and align services with Alaska’s education priorities. 

• Provide cultural inclusive practices by ensuring ability to work effectively in rural districts and relationship building within the communities.

Other duties as assigned.  This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions, and to perform any other job-related duties as required by authorized personnel.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of federal special education law (IDEA and ADA)

• Knowledge of Alaska State special education regulations

• Ability to maintain IEP development and procedural safeguards

• Understand rural and remote service delivery challenges

• Provide culturally responsive practices for Alaska Native students

• Knowledge of grant management and public school finance

• Knowledge of special education dispute resolution processes

• Ability to maintain working relationships with caregivers, students, and special education professionals district wide

POSITION OPEN UNTIL FILLED: If you are interested in this position, please send a certified job application/resume to: Aubrielle Champagne at District Office, PO Box 226, Tok, Ak 99780 Phone: (907) 883-5151 or email: achampagne@agsd.us Applications are available at the District Office and the website -agsd.us