Section 504 Coordinator

JOB DESCRIPTION                           

Section 504 is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.  Section 504 provides that “(n)o otherwise qualified individual with a disability…shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance….”  Title II extends this prohibition against discrimination to the full range of state and local government services, programs, and activities (including public schools) regardless of whether they receive any Federal financial assistance.

The Section 504 regulations require a school division to provide a free appropriate public education (“FAPE”) to each qualified student with a disability who is in the school division’s jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability.  Under Section 504, FAPE consists of the provision of regular or special education and related aids and services designed to meet the student’s individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of nondisabled students are met.

Qualifications:

·         Minimum five (5) years of professional school based leadership experience.

·         Demonstrates ability to cultivate relationships and motivate a team.

·         Excellent team player, with willingness to be hand-on.

·         Demonstrates creativity and problem-solving skills.

·         Tremendous organizational skills and attention to detail.

·         Positive, high-energy attitude and a driver for personal excellence.

·         Master’s required

·         Holds or is eligible for an administration endorsement PK-12.

Reports to:       Director of Pupil Personnel Services

Performance Responsibilities

·         Coordinating the school division’s efforts to comply with Section 504.

·         Developing a working knowledge of current laws, regulations, and guidelines related to Section 504.

·         Facilitating the implementation of Section 504 policies and procedures.

·         Providing ongoing training and support to staff regarding Section 504 and the implementation of the Section 504 procedures.

·         Serving as a daily resource to building administrators, building level teams, and community members regarding Section 504 issues.  The 504 Coordinator will assist        with school staff with:

o   Coordinating referrals

o   Determining appropriate 504 team composition

o   Facilitating evaluations/eligibility determinations

o   Providing notices and consents

o   Developing 504 plans

o   Monitoring the implementation of 504 plans

o   Scheduling annual reviews of 504 students

o   Assuring that 504 plans move with the student to the next level or new school

o   Advises the school administrator regarding discipline issues and procedures for Section 504 eligible students being considered for suspension or expulsion

·         Participating on Section 504 teams as needed.

·         Overseeing the collection and maintenance of all Section 504 data (Eligibility Summaries, Section 504 plans, etc.) for future reference. 

·         Serving as a liaison between the school building and other Central Office staff regarding Section 504 issues.

·         Coordinating Section 504 grievance procedures.

·         Serving as the school district’s liaison to the Office for Civil Rights. (OCR complaint resolution and corrective action plan implementation).

Terms of Employment:                        Twelve month year.

Evaluation:      Performance of this job will be evaluated by Director of Pupil Personnel.