Job Posting ID: 461
Location(s): Rockwell Administration Center
Employment Type: Full Time
Posted Date: 03/13/2026
Deadline: Until Filled
West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative (WCKSEC)/USD 489 Hays Public Schools
Position Contact:
Chris Hipp, Assistant Superintendent-Business Services
785-623-2400, chipp@usd489.com
Reports To: WCKSEC Advisory Council
Employment: Full-Time, 12-Month Administrative Position
Start Date: July 1, 2026
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Director of Special Education serves as the executive of the West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative (WCKSEC), supporting five member districts across 19 school buildings, approximately 300 staff, and 1,050 students with disabilities. The Director provides strategic vision, ensures full compliance with federal and state special education law, and maintains strong relationships with member district administrators, families, state agencies, and the Kansas Legislature. This position is accountable to the WCKSEC Advisory Council and the USD 489 Board of Education for the cooperative’s fiscal integrity and organizational performance.
JOB DESCRIPTION QUALIFICATIONS:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Develop and execute the cooperative’s strategic plan in alignment with member district needs and the direction of the WCKSEC Advisory Council.
2. Present regular operational and fiscal reports to the WCKSEC Advisory Council; facilitate council processes and policy development.
3. Initiate new programs and services based on member district needs, student outcome data, and emerging best practices.
4. Ensure WCKSEC and member districts meet all requirements under IDEA, Kansas SPED statutes, and KSDE regulations, including IEP compliance and procedural safeguards.
5. Supervise operations of the cooperative’s off-campus program sites.
6. Supervise and evaluate WCKSEC staff using state-approved evaluation frameworks (KEEP2, E4E).
7. Provide leadership in program evaluations, quality assurance monitoring, and continuous improvement planning.
8. Support new and developing special education teachers, school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and paraeducators.
9. Coordinate integration of special education into the total school program across all member districts; support building teams in creating least restrictive environments.
10. Provide leadership in curriculum development, positive behavior support, behavior intervention planning, and evidence-based instructional practices.
11. Develop and manage the cooperative’s annual budget; monitor expenditures, maintain fiscal integrity, and ensure compliance with IDEA Part B and other applicable federal and state funding requirements.
12. Lead recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of WCKSEC staff; develop and maintain strategies to address rural workforce pipeline challenges.
13. Interview instructional and related service candidates for special education positions across all cooperative programs.
14. Supervise record keeping, data systems, and student documentation across cooperative programs, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
15. Interact with parents, outside agencies, businesses, and the community to enhance understanding of cooperative programs and to elicit support and assistance.
16. Work to maintain strong public and community relations across all five member districts.
17. Serve as WCKSEC’s primary representative in state and regional policy forums, including KASEA and Kansas State Department of Education stakeholder processes.
18. Engage with Kansas legislators and state agency officials on special education funding, staffing, and policy; advise member districts on legislative developments.
19. Serve on cooperative, state, or community councils or committees as assigned or appropriate.
20. Assist in the interpretation of programs, philosophy, and policies of the cooperative to staff, students, parents, and the community.
21. Work closely with member district and building staffs to support school improvement initiatives, MTSS implementation, and special education integration.
22. Develop and maintain partnerships with university programs and external service organizations.
23. Keep informed of and disseminate information about current research, trends, and best practices in special education administration, policy, and instruction.
WCKSEC is an equal opportunity employer. Position is open until filled; review of applications begins immediately.
Full District Paid Single Medical and Dental Coverage
Free Annual Eye Exams with Medical Coverage
Ancillary and Voluntary offerings include Vision Materials Coverage
District Paid Basic Life Insurance, Voluntary Life
Short Term Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, Identify Theft Insurance
Flexible Spending options for Medical Expenses and Dependent Day Care
District contribution to Health Saving Account
District contribution to 403b retirement plan in addition to KPERS - State of Kansas Retirement
Paid Time Off
Seasonal Breaks, Weekends, Holidays Off
Tuition Assistance partnership with FHSU
Hays School District has about 3,000 students that are enrolled in a high school, middle school, four elementary schools, and an alternative school. The staff of Unified School District No. 489 are recognized throughout Kansas and across the nation as leaders in educational excellence.
Hays Public Schools enjoy tremendous support from the community. Through this support, USD 489 is able to offer programs like all-day, kindergarten, the smallest class sizes in the state for districts our size, and a longer school year. An extensive special education program serves children with special needs. Early childhood programs serve children and their families in a three-county area from before-birth to age six. Technology, throughout the district, is used to supplement and strengthen the instructional program. The most noticeable aspect of our technology is in our ratio of students to computers. At Hays High and Hays Middle School it is 1:1; and 2:1 in the elementary schools.
While doing an excellent job on the test score race, the staff continues to seek to develop the creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills of students as well. The challenges of the future are best dealt with by applying creativity and foresight to a solid foundation. We are equipped at USD 489.
To learn more about our schools, visit our website at
USD 489, Ellis County, Kansas, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or handicap in admission or access to or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. If you have questions regarding the above, please contact the Title IX Coordinator or the Section 504 Coordinator in the office of the Superintendent of Schools, 323 W. 12th Street, Hays, Kansas 67601, (785) 623-2400.
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