Dr. LaTonya Wilks

District Administration Director - Present

Grant Writer

• Write the (IDEA, Early Childhood (Block), ESSA, Title I, Title III, & Title IV) grants in collaboration with the superintendent.
• Work with multiple departments in the district to identify funding gaps and needs that could be satisfied with grant funding.
• Locate appropriate grants for ongoing, current, or future projects while working collaboratively with multiple departments and key district leaders.
• Research, recommend, and write proposals and funding applications as directed.
• Write reports as required by local, state, and federal government.
• Maintain grant information in the ISBE database(s).
  Comply with all grant reporting deadlines as required by grant organizations.
• Maintain timelines for proposals and report back to funding sources accurately and timely.
• Monitor the progress of funded proposals to ensure procedures are being followed.
• Present grant findings and options to district leaders and department supervisors.
• Ensure compliance with School Board policies and procedures regarding grants.

English Language Learner (ELL) Director

• Direct all functions of the Transitional Program of Instruction and the Title III grants/programs as mandated by the State.
• Leadership and supervision of the EL education program.
  Confer with staff, administrators, and parents to review, revise, and develop program goals and objectives necessary to implement effective English Learner programs.
• Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of program services, including data collection, analysis, program reviews, etc.
• Coordinate a district-wide English Learner Program designed to meet the needs of the students in grades PK-8.
• Ensure appropriate English Language Proficiency assessment services are provided to determine student eligibility and placement in the program.
• Conduct annual program surveys; use findings to examine program effectiveness; make program improvement recommendations using feedback.
• Monitor the program closely to ensure that reports are accurate and submitted to the proper agencies on time.

Director of Student Services

• Provide direction, consultation, and supervision to the following employees: School Nurses, School Social Workers, Psychologist, Occupational and Physical Therapists, and School Resource Officers.
  Facilitate meetings with School Nurses, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Physical therapists, Psychologists, and Resource Officers.
• Coordinates services with and serves on community /special interest group committees
• Supervise and conduct personnel administration duties for staff, including hiring, assigning special duties, monitoring attendance and travel reports, and granting leave.
• Assist in the preparation and maintenance of budgets for all program areas
• Coordinate a comprehensive security/school safety program.
• Coordinate training and assistance to site-based administrators in matters of safety and security.
• Advise and assist site-based administrators in matters involving criminal activities on school campuses.
• Participate in the development and maintenance of a district-level Crisis Response Plan.
• As part of each school's safety plan, assist/advise in the development of crisis management/emergency response plans.
• Serves as a liaison with other agencies
  Oversee transportation for special education students
  Provides periodic reports to the Superintendent and the School Board on matters pertaining to school safety.
• Works with school safety committee and community safety initiatives.
• 504 Coordinator responsible for facilitating, coordinating, and approving the development of 504 Plans.
• Facilitate the implementation of the school board-approved Section 504 Policy.
• Develop, continually revise, and ensure the implementation of consistent Section 504 procedures by providing ongoing training and support to district staff regarding Section 504 and the implementation of the Section 504 procedures.
• Collect and maintain all Section 504 data.
• Coordinates Section 504 grievance procedures as deemed appropriate by the Superintendent.
• Serve as the school district’s liaison to the Office of Civil Rights. (OCR complaint resolution and corrective action plan implementation).

Title IX Discrimination Officer

• Responsible for overseeing an institution's compliance with Title IX regulations, preventing sex discrimination in all aspects of the school environment, including academics, athletics, housing, and employment, by investigating complaints, educating students and staff on Title IX policies,
• Ensure equitable access and treatment for all genders; acting as the primary point of contact for reporting sex discrimination concerns.

Director of Special Education (ECSE - 8th)

• Implement Child Find in the community and district.
• Provide leadership and vision to ensure continuous organizational development and improvement.
• Plan and oversee programs and services designed to expand the availability of quality early care and education opportunities in the district for Early Childhood Special Education.
• Keep abreast of community services and resources; develop partnerships with parents, businesses/organizations, and other agencies to build awareness, support, and share resources.
• Collaborate effectively with district staff, families, special education teachers, and the community for the purpose of planning, developing, implementing, maintaining, and evaluating educational services and/or programs.
• Set staffing levels for special education programs to provide services with fiscal efficiency.
• Direct personnel, for the purpose of delivering services that conform to established guidelines.
• Develop proposals, new programs, budgets, and grants to meet the District’s Strategic Plan and goals.
• Evaluate district and school Special Education programs and monitor the implementation of special education and compliance with regulations.
• Facilitate meetings and processes for the purpose of implementing and maintaining special education programs and services in the district that achieve desired objectives.
• Manage fiscal resources from district funds and special education grants, prepare budgets and direct spending, and monitor effort maintenance to ensure fiscal efficiency in providing required services.
• Prepare documentation and report data for the purpose of providing written support, conveying information, and complying with Federal and State regulations.
• Communicate information on programs, services, and regulations to school personnel, parents, the Board, and other districts to help them understand the programs.
• Recruit, hire, supervise, and evaluate district-level special education staff.
• Manage special education complaints to provide the required services.
• Coordinate with outside agencies to provide appropriate services to students and staff.
• Supervise the training of special education instructional assistants for the purpose of assuring well-trained personnel.
• Write drafts of District Board policy for special education as needed or required to ensure program consistency and compliance with state and federal rules in all locations.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge regarding developing special education issues, changes in the laws and case law, and educational methods of educating students with disabilities for the purpose of managing an excellent special education program.
• Incorporate policies and procedures in accordance with laws and regulations.

Additional Work Experience as a Director of Student Support Services

• Kankakee - Alternative and Therapeutic Day
• Dupage - High School and Outplacement
• Skokie - Early Childhood Special Education