NISKAYUNA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Director Domains and Responsibilities I. Curriculum The district director is responsible for providing leadership and supervising the development, monitoring and evaluation of curriculum and performs this responsibility by: a. Articulating curricular goals in alignment with New York State and national standards b. Developing, aligning and evaluating curriculum maps c. Assigning appropriate staff access to consensus and diary maps d. Updating and revising curriculum maps on a regular basis e. Researching and disseminating resources and texts that support curriculum improvement f. Assuring horizontal and vertical alignment of all map components of subject and grade level curriculums within the discipline g. Providing critical feedback to teachers about quality and balance within the curriculum II. Academic Program The district director is responsible for implementing and interpreting the academic program in his/her particular discipline and performs this responsibility by: a. Developing, monitoring and evaluating the specific academic program b. Maintaining and updating program of study publications at elementary, middle and high school level c. Providing annual presentations about the program to incoming Freshmen and parents d. Overseeing the development and implementation of new course electives e. Developing, supervising and evaluating projects related to academic program f. Articulating and interpreting the academic program to staff, administration, students and community g. Providing leadership to department members and facilitating their decision-making h. Coordinating and facilitating the appropriate placement of students within the program i. Assisting administrative staff and school counselors in student placement decisions j. Coordinating teacher scheduling with principals in all buildings and across levels k. Assisting special education staff and administration to coordinate programs and criteria that assist students with special needs in meeting IEP, testing and graduation requirements l. Reviewing instructional practices in light of data and best practices m. Serving as a resource person to teachers and administrators in methods and materials of teaching n. Guiding and modeling the implementation and use of technology within the classroom o. Organizing a summer instructional program
p. Working with colleges to assist in student placement decisions q. Working with the community to find opportunities for outreach and enrichment experiences for students r. Creating opportunities and events that celebrate successes and achievements of students and staff s. Representing the department at district recognition ceremonies and events III. Supervision and Evaluation of Staff: The district director is responsible for the oversight and evaluation of the teachers within his/her department and performs this responsibility by: a. Developing department goals aligned with district priorities b. Working with individual staff members to set instructional goals c. Evaluating the implementation of goals d. Recruiting and selecting the best qualified staff e. Mentoring new teachers and assisting with new teacher orientation f. Meeting with teachers to review instructional objectives prior to observation g. Conducting informal and formal classroom observations h. Meeting with teachers to review observation write-ups and help them reflect on their teaching practice i. Tracking teachers professional activities related to their discipline j. Reviewing, approving and maintaining a record of teacher professional development through My Learning Plan k. Conducting a formal yearly performance review either in the form of a written narrative or a summative evaluation report l. Developing and overseeing an improvement plan for teachers whose classroom performance does not meet standards m. Assessing professional growth needs, recommending and implementing staff development n. Maintaining a visible presence to teaching staff o. Scheduling bi-monthly staff meetings: developing the meeting agenda, facilitating discussion and conducting appropriate professional development p. Facilitating the implementation and support of professional learning communities IV. Teaching Most district directors are responsible for teaching one or two courses and perform this responsibility by: a. Providing high quality instruction in their assigned teaching duties b. Advocating for and mentoring students c. Conducting the daily duties of a teacher (i.e. attendance, grading, planning and preparation, instruction, parental contact, etc.) 2
d. Conducting short and long-term instructional planning e. Creating and maintaining curriculum maps for specific courses f. Developing formative and summative assessments related to course content g. Meeting with struggling students to provide extra help h. Assigning and correcting homework i. Consulting with students before and after the school day j. Presenting to parents at Back to School Night k. Designing and chaperoning field trips l. Writing college recommendations through Naviance m. Continuing to learn applications of instructional technology and implementing in class n. Collaborating with media specialists on class projects and research o. Reading and studying in order to remain current in academic discipline(s) V. Professional Development The district director is responsible for creating and implementing a plan for the professional development of teachers and performs this responsibility by: a. Designing and planning professional development activities for staff. b. Planning workshops for professional development days c. Reading about and researching latest trends in their academic field d. Implementing and modeling a plan for the integration of instructional technology e. Designing educational experiences that support district professional development goals f. Communicating district professional development goals and initiatives to staff VI. Academic Support and Coordination The district director is responsible to organize the effective use of time and resources in support of his/her academic program in cooperation with colleagues and performs this responsibility by: a. Conferring with the district leaders about departmental and building concerns b. Designing, scheduling, staffing, monitoring and updating Academic Intervention Services c. Scheduling meetings with AIS teachers quarterly to review individual student progress and follow with report home to parents d. Making reports to the Superintendent and Board of Education as requested e. Attending leadership council meetings, high school director meetings, middle school director meetings, district director meetings and other meetings as needed f. Preparing statistical studies as requested g. Developing departmental policies and procedures h. Coordinating use of facilities within the department i. Coordinating use of technology resources 3
VII. Budget and Finance The district director is responsible for the prudent use of the financial resources of the department and district and performs this responsibility by:: a. Developing and administering a comprehensive departmental budget in conjunction with principals and district office consistent with goals of the district and instructional program b. Presenting and explaining budget priorities to district administration c. Monitoring and approving purchases and expenditures through Finance Manager d. Developing a competitive bid process for departmental purchases e. Maintaining an inventory of textbook, supplies and equipment f. Designing and implementing a plan for the replacement and service of equipment g. Determining the best utilization of resources within the discipline across the district h. Playing an active role in seeking funds and cooperative relationships to improve program i. Participating in the district budget building process j. Checking invoices with delivery receipts before authorizing payment VIII. Communication and Public Relations The district director is responsible for using the media to promote a positive public image of the department and to communicate essential information about the function and performance of the department and performs this responsibility by: a. Working with the district communication specialist to keep district residents informed about student achievements, upcoming events and departmental initiatives b. Communicating with guidance personnel about student placement and academic needs c. Communicating with special education personnel about addressing learning needs d. Reporting and informing staff about current State regulations governing the program e. Developing and maintaining a departmental website f. Preparing an annual report on departmental goals g. Working with community support groups IX. Assessment The district director is responsible for the creation, administration and evaluation of student assessments and performs this responsibility by: a. Administering State assessments. b. Developing and administering local assessments. c. Tracking student performance on assessments d. Interpreting student performance data for staff and district administration e. Maintaining proper testing environment and protocols f. Overseeing storage of testing materials g. Participating in development of local common assessments h. Monitoring effective use of assessments by evaluating curriculum maps in Atlas Rubicon 4
IX. Assessment (continued) i. Conducting an annual assessment report j. Communicating and coordinating annual dates for State assessments k. Working with building administrators to coordinate proctoring schedule for exams X. Management of Facilities and Equipment The district director is responsible for the careful use and maintenance of departmental facilities and performs that responsibility by: a. Monitoring the condition of department facilities and equipment b. Creating comprehensive plans for maintenance and repair of facilities and equipment c. Scheduling the use of departmental facilities for school activities and community use d. Procuring, storing and inventorying equipment e. Developing recommendations for the improvement of facilities and equipment XI. Organizational Management The district director is responsible for working with paraprofessionals and other staff to promote the smooth operation of the department and performs this responsibility by: a. Supervising and evaluating work of paraprofessionals within the department b. Supervising and evaluating work of clerical staff c. Working with custodial and maintenance staff to insure smooth operation of program d. Working with clerical staff to schedule and prepare for departmental events e. Working with district communications specialist to develop a yearly district calendar XII. Extracurricular Functions The district director is responsible to participate in activities that extend learning opportunities beyond the school day and performs this responsibility by; a. Overseeing the activities of clubs and organizations within the program b. Presenting features of the program to parent organizations c. Designing and conducting an annual awards ceremony d. Planning and organizing cultural events e. Identifying, facilitating and hosting presentations by guest speakers and groups f. Participating in college night 5
XIII. Professional Associations The district director plays an active role in outside organizations that promote academic achievement and advancement in a particular discipline and performs this responsibility by: a. Participating selectively, and where appropriate, actively in national, state and local professional organizations related to the academic discipline b. Attending and presenting at professional conferences c. Remaining active within state and local supervisor groups d. Identifying and disseminating appropriate information from professional organizations to other administrators, teachers and students e. Keeping abreast of current trends, literature and research in academic discipline 6