Lexington School for the Deaf Superintendent

Executive & Leadership Development, Executive Search & Transition
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Job Description

The Superintendent will work closely with the Executive Leadership Team, the Board of Trustees, various government agencies, and the public to ensure tight alignment of Lexington’s operations with Lexington’s mission and vision. This position reports directly to the Board of Trustees on such matters as prescribed by the By-Laws of Lexington School and Center for the Deaf and on matters of special instructions as may be given by the Board of Trustees through its Co-Presidents.

The Superintendent is charged with providing strong leadership and managing/supervising multiple functions including but not limited to education instruction, enrollment, advocacy, policy development, and outreach with responsibility of providing quarterly reports to the Board of Trustees at Board meetings.

Leadership staff reporting to the Superintendent include the Executive Leadership Team, the Director of Pupil Personnel Services (PPS), the Director of Student and Family Engagement (SAFE), and the School Leadership Team.

Duties and Responsibilities:

ORGANIZATION-WIDE

Serve as the school’s visionary and strategic leader in anticipating and analyzing trends in the field of deaf education and child/adult and family services.
Serve as chief liaison with other 4201 schools, the 4201 Association, New York State Education Department (NYSED), and the public.
Develop and implement strategic plans to expand the base and scope of all Lexington School programs as expressed in the Mission Statement, thereby enhancing Lexington’s reputation as a leader in providing educational and other services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals at the local, state, and national levels.
Serve as a liaison with the educational and labor counsels.
Preserve the current excellence in programming while developing and executing long-range plans that expand and market the mission and vision of the Lexington School.
In collaboration with executive leadership, develop personnel practices and procedures, including those not covered under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and recommend policies for Board consideration.
In collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and approval of the Board’s Finance Committee, prepare and administer an annual budget for the Lexington school to ensure its financial stability
Foster relationships between the School, the Center and its government agencies, and the public.
Represent Lexington School externally, with responsibility for developing key relationships that engage leadership, building philanthropic support and producing revenue and program opportunities.

SCHOOL

Provide creative thinking, educational expertise, and leadership to enhance, improve, and expand the Lexington School’s already extensive academic programs and curriculum.
Develop and implement annual and long-term programmatic and operational goals and objectives for the Lexington School for the Deaf. Measure and evaluate the successful achievement of these goals and objectives.
Foster and maintain a productive and collaborative relationship with the Lexington School Teacher Association, and with the CEO and Director of Human Resources, negotiate for the CBA with the assistance of counsel.
Develop and oversee the School’s public relations, program and activities and welcome and orient VIPs to the School.

RELATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Coordinate and administer Board activities as requested by the Board of Trustees.
When and as necessary, work collaboratively with the Board, and staff to reorganize the organization’s structure and the office of the Superintendent so as to position the organization to grow and thrive.
Ensure compliance with Board policies and directives and all applicable laws and regulations.
Formulate and recommend prospective policy for Board consideration.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Continue personal and professional growth through participation in educational programs or activities related to management skills, business acumen, communication skills, governmental programs, and other programs related to education and trends in deaf education, special education, and related fields.

Key Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Minimum of Masters Degree (MA) in Deaf Education (PhD preferred) or other relevant advanced degree.
Eligibility for New York State School Building Leader Certification.
Demonstrative experience as a Superintendent or Principal, preferably in a school for deaf or special needs students, or as an Executive.
Fluency in American Sign Language.
Knowledge of Deaf Culture needs and issues.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of social service programs for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Strong leadership skills, with the ability to manage and supervise multiple functions.
Knowledge of curriculum and principles of learning.
Membership in professional organizations that enhance personal prestige and the prestige of the School and Center.

Contact

View the full prospectus here.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and three references to: https://www.innivee.com/apply

For questions, please contact [email protected].

All applications submitted by December 16, 2024, will receive full consideration.

EEO Statement

The Lexington School for the Deaf does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s age, ancestry, color, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, past or present history of mental disability, intellectual disability, national origin, physical disability,

race, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy, transgender status, gender identity or

expression, sexual orientation, or civil union status) workplace hazards to reproductive systems, and criminal record (in state employment and licensing).

Superintendent

Lexington School for the Deaf

About the organization

Lexington School for the Deaf, established in 1864, is the largest school for Deaf students in New York State, serving approximately 230 students. In 2024, Lexington School for the Deaf was accredited by both the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf (CEASD) and the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS). Located in East Elmhurst, Queens, the school offers comprehensive educational programs designed to meet the unique learning and communication needs of profoundly Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. Serving children from infancy through high school, Lexington provides a curriculum that emphasizes both American Sign Language (ASL) and English. The school offers additional services, including the “Ready to Learn” program for parents of Deaf infants and toddlers, foreign language transition classes, support for students with disabilities, and a dormitory for students requiring additional academic support. Lexington is a charter member of the 4201 Schools Association of New York and receives financial support from the New York State Department of Education.

Lexington’s purpose is to foster a language-rich education that connects and empowers Deaf students, enabling them to excel in their futures. Its vision is to become the leader in Deaf education, programs, and services with a vibrant community that is adaptable and accessible to all. The school’s core values emphasize safety, open-mindedness, accountability, and respect, ensuring that all students receive a high-quality education that meets or exceeds New York State standards.

Lexington also houses three separate non-profit agencies, the Lexington Center for Mental Health Services, Inc., the Lexington Vocational Services Center, Inc. and the Lexington Hearing and Speech Center, Inc. These agencies serve over 1,000 individuals throughout NYC and NYS.