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Position change saving Ripon Unified $22,000
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RIPON - It’s a tough job serving as coordinator of support services for the Ripon Unified School District.

Totally involved in the monitoring of the district’s Special Education programs, the new coordinator will replace retiring Director Camille Taylor in a move to save $22,000.  Board members and administrators expressed their concern over the work load that the position is demanding amid current budget cuts.

School trustees agreed last Monday night to have schools’ superintendent Louise Nan post the job offering with the hope of having candidates interviewed by mid-July and someone on board by the start of school in August.

Nan offered that she knew Taylor was “over loaded” with work in that position. Schools’ administrator Kathy Coleman added saying that everyone on the district level,  as well as the staff level,  is feeling the pinch – just taking on more duties all the time.

“The state is changing and the rules are changing,” she said.

In making the motion to approve the position, Trustee Ernie Tyhurst lamented, “This is not a perfect world.”

The typical duties will include the organizing, and coordination and supervision of Student Support Service programs including the intervention program, student study team and Special Education.

The coordinator is expected to administer the placement and evaluation of students into the appropriate programs and serve as a resource for curriculum material and instructional strategies for support programs.

The individual will administer in-service training programs for teachers, support personnel and parents as well as being a resource for any questions and concerns regarding any of the student support services programs.

He or she will be expected to consult and advise administration, staff and parents regarding Special Education, as well as the psychological and guidance needs of students.  The person must also be qualified to assess students in areas of need both academic and behavioral.

Also required is knowledge related to federal and state regulation of Special Education and 504 programs, general curriculum standards and strategies for adapting and modifying curriculum.

Nan said of the new position of coordinator as being one that has replaced the common position for Special Education and Student Support Services in many districts.

“The job description has been developed from other district samples, adjusted to meet the needs of RUSD.  A savings of approximately $22,000 is anticipated with this change,” she said.