Board approves special-education service-delivery plan amid questions about private-school services and AEA role

The Pleasant Valley Community School District Board approved the district’s 2025–26 special-education service-delivery plan and discussed operational implications for students attending private schools in district boundaries and the relationship with the Area Education Agency (AEA).

Special-education coordinator Mrs. Kenyon told trustees that the eight-page plan is a state posting requirement (first required around 2019) and reflects local practice for the continuum of services and caseload determinations. The plan lays out how the district and the AEA collaborate on evaluation, eligibility and service delivery for students who qualify for individualized education programs (IEPs).

Board members pressed for detail about private schools in district boundaries — specifically St. Joan of Arc, which will open within district boundaries for the 2025 school year — and how the district will provide and fund services there. Staff explained that when a student in a private school located in the district requires special-education services, the public district is obligated to ensure those services are provided. The district receives a portion of funding tied to a special-education “weighting” to offset costs; staff cited the example of a 0.72 funding increment that contributes to funding the service. Board members and administrators discussed whether services would be provided by transporting students to district sites or by sending district or AEA staff to the private school; staff said that decision will be made in coordination with the private school and AEA.

The board also discussed operational details raised in the plan and during the Special Education Advisory Council this year: how eligibility is determined (the AEA leads formal evaluation following a disability-suspect process), how caseloads are tallied, and the need to recruit and retain staff with endorsement for higher-need students (cited license examples discussed as "Strat II ID" endorsement). Administrators said a recent statewide parent portal for IEP records was launched in February and that district staff had been working to help families sign up. The district also plans to hire a paid coach for Special Olympics and to continue parent outreach.

The board voted to approve the plan by roll call (motion by Director Konkle; second by Director Kanwisher; roll call in favor). Administrators said they will submit the approved plan to the state and post it on the district website as required. They also said they will coordinate a response plan for St. Joan of Arc — including whether the district will send staff into the private school or provide services at district sites — and continue to monitor AEA staffing and service availability.

Ending: The approved plan formalizes how Pleasant Valley will deliver special-education services in 2025–26; staff said they will follow up with the board as necessary about caseload impacts and arrangements for students attending private schools inside district boundaries.