Laguna Beach Unified presents special-education update; board presses on in-district options

Interim special education director Jennifer Moss delivered a comprehensive update to the Laguna Beach Unified School District board on Nov. 13, outlining the district’s legal obligations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and describing how the district supports students across a continuum of services.

Moss told the board the district serves about 2,315 students and that approximately 11 percent — about 268 students — are enrolled in special education. She said roughly 237 of those students receive services inside district programs and 31 are placed outside the district in regional or nonpublic programs. "It’s our obligation to provide all of our students a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment," Moss said.

The presentation explained key timelines and processes used to identify and place students. Program specialist Jaylen Thompson summarized referrals and evaluation…