The Board acknowledges its responsibility to recruit, hire, train and retain highly qualified personnel, as defined in the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its accompanying regulations and in Article 89 of New York State Education law and its accompanying regulations, to provide special education programs and services.  In addition, the Board is committed to appointing appropriately qualified personnel to the Committee (and subcommittee) on Special Education (CSE) and Committee (and subcommittee) on Preschool Special Education (CPSE).

            The Board will fulfill its obligation regarding special education personnel by taking measurable steps including, but not limited to the following:

1. Actively recruiting personnel who possess prior experience working with students with disabilities.
2. Soliciting resumes from graduates of institutions of higher education that offer programs in special education.
3. Seeking candidates for teaching positions who are dually certified, to the extent possible.
4. Requiring every member of the professional staff to participate in annual professional performance reviews and professional development plans.
5. Providing appropriate on-going training and professional development to CSE and CPSE members, and other special education program and service providers to maintain awareness of their obligations and responsibilities under the law.

            The Superintendent is responsible for ensuring that the professional staff is appropriately certified, licensed and trained and that they meet the “highly qualified” standard established in federal and state law.  If highly qualified individuals are not available, despite the best efforts of the administration, the Board recognizes its responsibilities to meet the alternative standards established by the State Education Department.

            The Superintendent, in consultation with the Director of Pupil Personnel Services for Special Education, shall prepare an annual report to the Board which provides information about the certifications and qualifications of the special education professional personnel, as well as a summary of the professional development opportunities offered.

Ref:     Individual with Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC §§ 1412(a)(14), 1413(a)(3)

            34 CFR §§ 300.156, 300.207

             Education Law §4410

            8 NYCRR §§ 200.2(b)(3), (12)