SCEN0375912-1017
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2026-05-19T00:00:00
The Director of Early Childhood Education provides districtwide leadership, oversight, and accountability for early childhood programming, including Universal Prekindergarten (UPK), early literacy initiatives (PK–Grade 3), and partnerships with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). This role is responsible for ensuring instructional quality, equity, regulatory compliance, fiscal integrity, and continuous improvement across early childhood systems. The Director serves as the district’s lead authority on early childhood systems that support curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning, UPK enrollment, family engagement, and NYSED Office of Early Learning (OEL) compliance. Key Responsibilities: Instruction, Curriculum, & Professional Learning • Provide strategic leadership for UPK curriculum & instruction and Tier 1 foundational literacy programming (PK–Grade 3). • Oversee implementation of district literacy initiatives and ensure alignment with evidence-based instructional practices. • Lead UPK curriculum equity audits and curriculum review cycles, including rubric development, and adoption recommendations. • Co-lead Foundational Literacy curriculum equity audits and curriculum review cycles, including rubric development, and adoption recommendations. • Lead districtwide compliance with P–3 Literacy Attestation requirements, including development of monitoring tools, accountability systems, and reporting processes. • Design and implement a comprehensive professional learning plan for early literacy. • Supervise and coordinate the work of Fundations trained District literacy coaches. Assessment, Screening, Enrollment & Data Systems • Establish districtwide timelines and protocols for UPK assessments, progress monitoring, and reporting. • Oversee new entrant UPK screening processes, protocol development, and compliance. • Oversee UPK lottery, registration, enrollment, and waitlist processes to ensure compliance with Board of Education policy and NYSED regulations. • Collaborate with communications, data, and registration teams to ensure accurate outreach, notifications, and enrollment reporting. • Coordinate strategic community outreach to ensure full UPK program capacity. Family & Community Engagement • Lead districtwide UPK family engagement efforts, including information sessions, newsletters, surveys, and engagement events. • Collaborate with IEE department to ensure UPK program communication, family support, and district literacy initiatives. • Collaborate with IEE to engage families with culturally responsive foundational literacy initiatives. • Address family concerns in collaboration with building administrators and CBO directors, particularly in complex or high-need situations. CBO Oversight & Compliance • Provide direct oversight of all CBO-operated UPK programs to ensure compliance with district, NYSED, and OCFS requirements. • Develop and manage contracts, RFPs, vendor agreements, and Board of Education resolutions related to UPK and early literacy programming. • Monitor staffing qualifications, certification compliance, and waiver processes for CBO programs. • Ensure timely completion of all NYSED OEL reporting, grant applications, surveys, attestations, and compliance reviews. Multilingual Learners, Equity, & Student Supports • Collaborate with the Assistant Director to ensure completion and monitoring of Emergent Multilingual Learner (EML) Language Profiles, Home Language Questionnaires and multilingual learner screening processes. • Collaborate with ENL leadership and Dual Language Education committees to support multilingual and dual language initiatives for UPK and foundational literacy programming. • Oversee equitable access to curriculum, instructional materials, learning environments, and student support services across all UPK sites. • Collaborate with CPSE, Student Support Services, and Director of Student Interventions to support appropriate placement and interventions for UPK students. • Develop a strategic plan to expand the UPK continuum of services. Budget, Grants, & Fiscal Oversight • Develop and manage the UPK grant budget, including: grant application, FS-10, FS-10A, and final reporting. • Monitor grant expenditures, track invoices, and ensure fiscal compliance with NYSED requirements. • Oversee early literacy budgets, instructional materials inventory systems, and long-term resource planning. Strategic Planning & Reporting • Prepare reports and presentations for district leadership and the Board of Education. • Collaborate with executive leadership to plan for program expansion, facilities, transportation, staffing, and long-term sustainability of early childhood programming. • Develop a strategic plan for long term growth and early childhood program expansion including but not limited to an inclusive prekindergarten program. SALARY: Per SAA contract, starting at $97,350 LOCATION: Central Office QUALIFICATIONS: • Master’s Degree required • Valid NYS School District Leader Certification (SDL) • Minimum of four (4) years of demonstrated experience in grant management, including oversight, compliance, and reporting requirements • Proven experience managing multi-million dollar budgets with strong fiscal accountability and strategic resource allocation • Demonstrated district-level leadership experience, including program oversight, staff supervision, and cross-functional collaboration • Comprehensive knowledge of NYSED UPK regulations, policies, and implementation requirements • Strong foundation in literacy acquisition, including evidence-based instructional practices and early childhood development The Schenectady City School District is committed to hiring members of the protected classes and residents of the City of Schenectady. For more information on the Schenectady City School District recruitment and hiring plan, please contact the Office of Human Resources. The Schenectady City School District does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race or gender. This policy is in compliance with the Title IX of the Education amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Regulations and Bylaws of the Board of Education of the Schenectady City School District. EVERYBODY COUNTS. EVERYBODY LEARNS.
School Leader
Schenectady CSD
Capital
Annual wage
Fixed