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Board approves request to receive 10% cash in lieu of ESD service credits to bolster local SPED funding
Summary
By voice vote the board authorized the superintendent to request 10% cash in lieu of certain ESD service credits for the 2026–27 year, converting an estimated $140,000 in credits into district-controlled funds to support special-education staffing and services.
The board voted to request that the regional educational service district (ESD) pay 10% of the district’s allocated service credits in cash instead of providing those services in-kind. Staff explained that the ESD’s tier system returns approximately 90% of generated service credits as services and retains 10% for operations; districts may elect to draw some or all of their portion as cash, subject to statutory and ESD procedures.
The superintendent explained that taking 10% cash in lieu of services would allow the district to directly hire or fund classroom aides, specialists or other supports the district determines best for local special-education needs. As an example, staff said the district’s allocation this year was about $1,400,000 in service credits, and 10% of that allocation would be roughly $140,000.
A motion was made and seconded to request 10% cash in lieu of services and to authorize the superintendent to complete the ESD documentation by the November 1 deadline for the 2026–27 school year. The board approved the motion by voice; members indicated ayes and recorded no opposition.
Board members discussed the balance between retaining access to ESD tier-2 services and using cash to directly address locally prioritized staffing needs; staff said the district would still be able to order additional ESD services if needed but would pay for any services beyond the included tiers.
