Agenda Item
a. PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATION(S) FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources.
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the following personnel recommendation for the Director, GNETS position in Curriculum & Instruction .
Financial impact: There is no impact to the general budget as the position already exists in the general budget.
Contact: Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources, 678.676.1200.
DeKalb County School District
Position Specification
Title: Director, GNETS
DIVISION: Curriculum & Instruction GRADE/SCHEDULE: 132
DEPARTMENT: Exceptional Education WORKDAYS: 246
REPORTS TO: Chief Academic Officers FLSA STATUS: Exempt
RETIREMENT: Teacher Retirement System APPROVED (HR): July 1, 2020
GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB
Under limited supervision, plans, develops, directs, implements, and monitors the Georgia Network for Educational
and Therapeutic Services (GNETS) center-based and outpost programs and procedures; administers personnel,
budget, building maintenance, and purchasing; provides advice to school system principals on Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) rules related to Individualized Education Programs, due process, discipline, and
confidentiality; participates in mediation sessions, due process hearings, and litigation proceedings; serves on
various system-wide committees.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Functions:
The following duties are representative of this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude
them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties
may be required and assigned.
• Directs procedures to ensure implementation of the GNETS program for elementary, middle, and
secondary operations in compliance with relevant laws, policies, and procedures
• Directs procedures to ensure the provision of due process rights regarding students, parents, and staff
• Directs or supervises the preparation of reports, records, lists, and all other paperwork required or
appropriate to the program’s administration
• Prepares and submits the GNETS and local program’s budgetary requests and monitors expenditure of
funds as designated under IDEA and DCSD
• Directs and supervises the center principals and staff
• Prepares departmental reports in response to correspondence from the Georgia Department of Education,
as well as proposals for oversight of the centers
• Attends statewide GNETS meetings
• Communicates with other GNET Directors, Mental Health Providers, and other service providers to
facilitate program services for students
• Provides leadership to principals and staff in defining a common mission, vision, and goals for the program
• Represents Exceptional Education, GNETS, and the school system in mediation sessions and due process
hearings
• Consults with the State Department of Education for implementation of state and federal rules
• Performs other duties as assigned
Disclaimer: Information contained within this position specification only summarizes information for interested individuals. The statements herein are intended to describe the general
nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required
of a person in this position. If there is a discrepancy between the information in this position specification, the current documents obtained in the Division of Human Resources will
always govern. The DeKalb County School District reserves the right to modify, alter or discontinue these reference materials for any reason.
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Director, GNETS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Master’s degree in Education, Special Education, Education Administration, or closely related area from a
Georgia Professional Standards Commission approved accredited college or university required.
• Minimum five (5) years of managerial/administrative level or school-based closely related experience in the
field of special education required. Experience with several emotional and behavioral students preferred.
Supervisory and diagnostic experience also preferred.
• Valid Georgia Professional Standards Commission approved certificate in educational leadership at level L-
5, NL-5, PL-6, or above required. If a level L-5, NL-5, PL-6, or above certificate is not held, the individual must
be eligible for the NPL certificate in educational leadership or meet the eligibility requirement for a Support
Personnel License from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
• Knowledge of DCSD policies and procedures, organizational planning, and operational procedures
• Knowledge of the organization of specifically assigned areas, budgeting and spending, labor issues, and
efficiencies
• Knowledge of workforce and facilities requirement forecasting
• Knowledge of all relevant available public and private resources and services
• Knowledge of curriculum guidelines for the school system and state requirements
• Knowledge of standardized testing in accordance with school district policies and state laws
• Knowledge of school system policies, programs, and procedures pertinent to learning disabilities, child and
substance abuse, and social adjustment
• Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication
• Skilled in coordinating and collaborating with federal, state, regional, and local organizations, and
departments to establish and execute responsibilities
• Skilled in counseling students with academic difficulties and behavioral problems.
• Skilled in administering the school district’s discipline policies; and maintaining order in a classroom setting.
• Ability to plan and develop courses of study suitable for specific grade levels
• Ability to develop lesson plans incorporating lectures, projects, group discussions, exhibits, field trips,
audiovisual and library resources, computers, and the internet
• Ability to use relevant computer applications, prioritizes tasks, and manage multiple assignments
simultaneously
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or
constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves
sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other
sedentary criteria are met.
Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand
or arm as in handling.
Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas using the spoken word. Those activities in which one must convey detailed
or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
Hearing: Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and make fine discrimination in
sounds, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts with or without correction.
Disclaimer: Information contained within this position specification only summarizes information for interested individuals. The statements herein are intended to describe the general
nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required
of a person in this position. If there is a discrepancy between the information in this position specification, the current documents obtained in the Division of Human Resources will
always govern. The DeKalb County School District reserves the right to modify, alter or discontinue these reference materials for any reason.
Page 2 of 3 Reviewed/Revised: β10.6.2022
Director, GNETS
Vision: The ability to perceive the nature of objects with the eye. Acuity (near and far vision), depth perception
(three-dimensional vision), accommodation (adjustment of lens to the eye to bring an object into sharp focus), the
field of vision (the area that can be seen up and down or to the right or left while eyes are fixed on a given point)
and color vision (ability to distinguish and identify colors) are required factors.
Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
PERFORMANCE FACTORS
Interaction with Others: Ability to maintain, on a regular and consistent basis, relationships that are not
characterized by high levels of hostility, social withdrawal, or failure to communicate. Ability to be flexible relative
to daily routines. Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to the differences among diverse populations.
Concentration: Ability to maintain workflow and thought processes in the presence of frequent distractions. Ability
to ignore irrelevant sights or sounds and intrusive thoughts or stimuli. Ability to manage multiple tasks
simultaneously with only a few or no errors.
Stressful Circumstances: Ability to produce quality work when short or unexpected deadlines are presented. Ability
to adjust work processes without incident when new and unexpected directions are given relative to a project that
may be in process. Ability to maintain composure and not compound a situation when interacting with people who
may be angry, demanding, or otherwise less than polite.
Independent Judgment: Ability to complete work tasks without being given precise directions relative to work steps
or the final project.
Decision Making: Ability to make appropriate business decisions.
Organizational Skills: Ability to establish priorities; simultaneously manage multiple tasks; and deliver a quality
work product by a designated deadline.
Attention to Detail: Ability to recognize errors or layout features that detract from the physical attractiveness or
accuracy of a work product.
Public Contact: Ability to communicate professionally and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with superiors,
colleagues, and other individuals within and external to the school system. Ability to demonstrate professionalism
while interacting with others and to maintain constructive working relationships.
Attendance and Dependability: Ability to be depended on to report to work at the scheduled time and to seldom
be absent from work. Ability to complete work in a timely, accurate manner and to be conscientious about work
performance.
Environmental Factors: Hazardous physical conditions (mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibration, etc.);
Atmospheric conditions (fumes, odors, dust, gases, poor ventilation); Travel
Disclaimer: Information contained within this position specification only summarizes information for interested individuals. The statements herein are intended to describe the general
nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required
of a person in this position. If there is a discrepancy between the information in this position specification, the current documents obtained in the Division of Human Resources will
always govern. The DeKalb County School District reserves the right to modify, alter or discontinue these reference materials for any reason.
Page 3 of 3 Reviewed/Revised: β10.6.2022