VERMILION — The Vermilion Local School District Board of Education approved the creation of a new administrative position Monday, replacing the district’s Director of Pupil Services role with a more focused Director of Special Education position. The change follows the resignation of Karen Blackburn, the district’s current director of pupil services, effective July 31, 2026.
District shifts from a broader pupil services role to a narrower special education focus
The new Director of Special Education position was approved as part of the board’s April 13 meeting and is set to take effect in August 2026. The measure passed unanimously.
At this stage, the board approved the creation of the position and its salary scale, but did not hire anyone to fill the role during the meeting.
According to district officials, the move is not a direct one-for-one replacement. Instead, the district is narrowing the position’s focus to special education while redistributing some of the broader responsibilities previously handled through pupil services.
During a post-meeting exchange, Vermilion Local School District Treasurer Justin Klingshirn said the former Director of Pupil Services role was a 260-day position, while the new Director of Special Education position will be a 209-day role. Officials also said some of Blackburn’s former duties will now be divided among principals and central administration.
Board approves the framework for the new role, but not an appointment
Treasurer/CFO Justin Klingshirn said in an email that the salary scale for the new Director of Special Education position ranges from $80,000 to $113,000. He said the new role is replacing the district’s Director of Pupil Services position.
The restructuring reflects both an administrative shift and a more targeted approach to oversight. Rather than maintaining the broader pupil services title, the district is moving to a role centered specifically on special education.
More details are expected as the district moves closer to the 2026-27 school year, including how the position will be filled and how the reassigned responsibilities will be handled.