About this role
Position Summary
The Secondary LEA Representative serves as the Local Education Agency (LEA) designee for special education matters at the secondary level. The position ensures compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) regulations, and district policies while supporting students with disabilities, families, educators, and administrators. The LEA Representative facilitates special education processes, chairs meetings, monitors compliance, and collaborates with school personnel to ensure students receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE).
Performance Responsibilities
Serve as the LEA representative and chairperson for Evaluation Team (ET), Individualized Education Program (IEP), amendment, manifestation determination, and other special education meetings as assigned.
Facilitate meetings in a manner that ensures compliance with IDEA, RIDE regulations, and district procedures while maintaining timelines and focusing team discussions on student needs.
Balance and consider the input of parents/guardians, students, teachers, service providers, and administrators to support collaborative decision-making.
Support and encourage meaningful parent and guardian participation throughout the special education process.
Explain procedural safeguards, parental rights, special education regulations, and required documentation to families.
Review and explain special education documents including, but not limited to, consent forms, permissions to evaluate, prior written notices, IEPs, evaluation reports, and amendment documents.
Ensure that IEPs and other special education records are accurate, complete, and compliant with state and federal requirements.
Review special education paperwork prior to submission to the Student Services Office to ensure compliance with legal and procedural requirements.
Monitor and support compliance with special education timelines, procedural requirements, and documentation standards.
Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the district continuum of services and programs to ensure appropriate placement decisions consistent with FAPE and LRE principles.
Maintain expertise regarding disability classifications, eligibility criteria, and evaluation procedures to guide teams in eligibility determinations.
Assist in determining and allocating appropriate supports, accommodations, services, and resources to maximize student achievement.
Support special educators and related service providers in the development, revision, and amendment of IEPs.
Collaborate with school administrators and instructional staff to ensure implementation of special education services and supports.
Record and maintain meeting minutes, special education data, and other required documentation.
Promote inclusive practices and specially designed instruction through collaboration with general and special education staff.
Serve as a resource to building administrators, teachers, and special education staff regarding special education laws, regulations, and best practices.
Remain current with district and state initiatives, mandates, curriculum, instructional practices, and special education programming.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the Building Principal or Director of Student Services.
Supervises and Evaluates
No direct supervisory responsibilities.
May provide guidance, support, and technical assistance to special education personnel regarding compliance and procedural requirements
Minimal Qualifications
Rhode Island certification as a Special Education Teacher and/or Administrator, as appropriate.
Minimum of three (3) years of successful experience in special education.
Demonstrated knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, Rhode Island special education regulations, and related compliance requirements.
Experience developing, implementing, and monitoring IEPs.
Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.
Ability to facilitate meetings and manage sensitive discussions professionally and effectively.
Ability to analyze evaluation data and educational records to support student programming decisions.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience serving as an LEA representative or chairing special education meetings.
Experience conducting educational evaluations and interpreting assessment results.
Knowledge of inclusive instructional practices and specially designed instruction.
Advanced training in special education law, compliance, and dispute resolution.
Demonstrated experience collaborating effectively with families, community agencies, and multidisciplinary teams.
Term Of Employment
In accordance with the West Warwick Teachers' Association collective bargaining agreement and School Committee policy.