SERGEANT BLUFF, IA – Recently, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (SBL) Schools announced Mrs. Alissah Alberts as the newly created Director of Student Services set to begin with the 2025-2026 academic year. This dual-role position will oversee district-wide special education and Section 504 programs while also providing leadership in school operations, with particular focus on middle school discipline.
"This position represents a significant investment in meeting the diverse needs of all our students, especially those requiring specialized support," said Chad Janzen, SBL Superintendent. "The director will serve as the leading voice and advocate for students with special needs while ensuring compliance with all federal and state education laws. We'll be funding this position with resources previously required to be directed to the Northwest AEA, allowing us to keep these dollars working directly for SBL students."
The new director will guide professional development for special education staff, assist with evaluating program effectiveness, and ensure compliance with federal and state laws related to special education. Key duties include assisting in writing individualized education plans (IEPs), ensuring proper implementation of IEPs, and serving as the district's liaison with the Department of Education and various local agencies.
District officials note that the creation of this role aligns with SBL's commitment to providing comprehensive student support services. The director will collaborate with building principals, parents, and outside agencies to ensure students receive appropriate services. The position will also play a key role in maintaining the integrity of academic and behavioral intervention systems across the district.
SBL administrators expect this new position to create a positive ripple effect throughout the district's instructional systems. By centralizing special education leadership, building principals will gain more time to focus on instructional leadership in their buildings. Similarly, instructional coaches will have increased capacity to address individual teacher needs and classroom support. "This strategic restructuring ultimately benefits all SBL students," explained Superintendent Janzen. "When we strengthen our special education services while simultaneously allowing our principals and coaches to deepen their instructional leadership, we're creating a more effective learning environment for every student in our district."