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Division reviews special education annual plan, federal assurances and spending priorities for 2025–26
Summary
Programs for exceptional children staff outlined the required Part B annual plan and assurances under IDEA, described how federal funds will be paid out (largely personnel), and noted CEAC support and next steps to submit the plan to the Virginia Department of Education.
Dr. Ronnie Myers Dobb, executive director for programs for exceptional children, presented the local special education annual plan (Part B flow-through application) to the school board on March 20. The presentation explained the application is an annual requirement tied to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and a prerequisite to receiving federal funds for special education.
Myers Dobb described required assurances, including provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE), individualized education programs (IEPs), and protections against disproportionate identification. She said the plan requires reporting on programs like the jail education program (services at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center) and compliance with maintenance-of-effort requirements.
The presentation summarized planned uses of Part B funds (Section 611 and Section 619) for personnel, materials, benefits and professional development, noting that federal funds represent less than 15% of the division's special education funding and are primarily used for personnel. The plan also includes proportionate set-aside funds for parentally placed private-school students and funding for preschool special education services.
Myers Dobb said the plan was reviewed with the local Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) and that CEAC member Megan Ashburn supported moving the application forward. Board members asked questions about federal funding levels and the potential impact of state-level organizational changes; Myers Dobb reported that VDOE officials indicated closing the department would not affect federal funding and that, as of March 20, divisions were proceeding under existing federal guidance.
The board received the informational presentation; the plan was recommended by SEAC and the presentation noted required submission to the Virginia Department of Education.
