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IUSD board adopts SELPA 2025-26 local plan and budget amid staffing and funding shortfalls
Summary
The Irvine Unified School District board adopted the SELPA 2025-26 local plan, annual service plan and budget after a staff presentation outlining a persistent federal funding shortfall (federal funding currently about 10% versus the authorized 40%) and program priorities including nonpublic school contracts and parent engagement through the CAC.
The Irvine Unified School District Board voted to adopt the SELPA 2025-26 local plan, annual service plan and annual budget after staff outlined program priorities and a continuing federal funding shortfall.
Jennifer, presenting the SELPA plan, said the federal share of special education funding has never approached the 40% authorized in federal law and is currently about 10% of the SELPA budget. "We receive about $15,000,000 from federal funds, dollars 42,000,000 from state funding, and $91,000,000 from local contribution," she said, summarizing the funding mix and noting that the bulk of expenditures cover staffing costs and services such as nonpublic school and residential treatment facility contracts.
The plan describes the SELPA's four core tasks: planning to meet students' IEP services, receiving and allocating federal and state funds, preparing the local plan for state submission, and overseeing governance structures that include administrators, educators and related service providers. Jennifer told trustees the county had signed the plan and returned it to the district for final action.
Board members asked specific questions about the SELPA's interaction with private and charter schools and how services are provided when students attend private campuses. Jennifer said Irvine students attending private schools may receive assessments and, if eligible, an IEP that can be implemented within the district; some parents decline services and receive limited consultation instead. On charters, she said some charter schools choose services from other SELPAs and that those students are supported through those arrangements.
Trustees also pressed on capacity and staffing. Jennifer described use of nonpublic agencies to fill vacancies for paraprofessionals and behavioral assistants, and said the district is implementing co-teaching models with ongoing professional learning, classroom coaching and consultant support. On instructional technology, she said the district is providing teachers with AI prompts to aid curriculum differentiation and to develop activities for instructional assistants.
No members of the public spoke during the hearing. After trustee questions and comments, a motion to adopt the SELPA local plan and budget was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
The district will file the adopted plan as required and continue implementation activities described in the service and budget documents.
