| | | | | | | | 
July 16, 2024 Board Meeting
Agenda Item 40.
|
| | | | | | | | Title
APPROVAL OF THE NEW JOB DESCRIPTION DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC IMPROVEMENT AND MULTILINGUAL LEARNING
Description
The Director of Strategic Improvement and Multilingual Learning provides leadership and direction in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of federal programs administered under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and ensures that programs are in compliance with local, state and federal laws and that the intent and purpose(s) of each federal program is integrated into the district's academic achievement targets and efforts towards continuous improvement. Additionally, the Director will oversee the development of strategies to address the instructional needs of English language learners (ELLs) and monitor structures for effective ESOL programming in District schools K-12. This position supervises the ESOL Supervisor, Federal Programs Coordinator, Federal Programs Budget Specialist, Private Schools Compliance Specialist, Competitive Grants Specialist, and Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant.
Gap Analysis
This new position will transform and surpass the Supervisor of State and Federal Programs and Grants current role. This transformation will lead to appropriately aligning the roles and responsibilities with this leadership position and to align funding with the District Strategic Plan 2030. This new office will handle an approximate combined total of $15M of yearly federal program funding.
The department has been understaffed operating with only two staff members for the administration of Title I (Academic Achievement of Disadvantage Students), II - Educator Quality, IV (Safe and Healthy Students), IX (McKinney-Vento Homeless Education). There are 17 Title I schools, including 2 Charters and an additional 15 participating private schools. Approximately 14 charter and 20 private schools participate in Titles, II, IV and IDEA. Implementation of each federal program in the different sets of schools is accompanied by wide-ranging state and federal legislatively mandated components.
Title III Part A grants (English Language Acquisition and Enhanced Instructional Opportunities for Recently Arrived Immigrant Children and Youth) have been administered in isolation under a separate department. Further, SCS has not had a dedicated ESOL department to support over 4,000 active ELL students and immigrant children and youth in these programs.
The Director of Strategic Improvement and Multilingual Learning will ensure all federal programs and funds align to the Districts Strategic Plan with measurable outcomes that will lead to success of students, teachers, and district goals.
Previous Outcomes
Previous objectives and outcomes and were predominantly compliance oriented and tied to fiscal outcomes related to coordination of federal entitlement program activities. SCS has not previously had a dedicated ESOL department to support the 4,095 active ELL students in the ESOL program. The previous model consisted of one ESOL Supervisor with a primary focus on compliance with state and federal regulations.
Expected Outcomes
The role and responsibilities of the Director of Strategic Improvement and Multilingual Learning are to enable the department to move beyond mere compliance to providing tailored support to schools, programs and other district offices by strategically allocating resources to initiatives that drive positive student outcomes. The Director of Strategic Improvement and Multilingual Learning will lead a continuous system of improvement in the planning, monitoring, implementation and evaluation of programs and projects designed to maximize district resources and obtain strategic goals and objectives. The Director will identify the methods through which the intent and purpose(s) of each federal program will be integrated into the district's existing academic achievement targets and develop strategies to address the instructional needs of typically underserved populations including English learners, monitor structures for effective ESOL programming, track attainment of program goals, and recommend policy and programmatic changes as necessary.
Strategic Plan Goal
Pillar 1 – Every Student Achieves
Priority 1.1 - Establish a Solid Foundation
Priority 1.2 - Expect Literacy for All
Priority 1.3 - Embrace Strong Instruction
Pillar 4 – Every School Equipped
Priority 4.2 - Create High Quality Infrastructure
Recommendation
That the job description for the Director of Strategic Improvement and Multilingual Learning be approved as presented.
Contact Information
BONNIE PENNER bonnie.penner@sarasotacountyschools.net
RACHAEL O'DEA rachael.o’dea@sarasotacountyschools.net
Financial Impact
Funding Source: $147,755 salary and benefits with 84% federal entitlement grant funded and 16% General funds
|
|