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Board approves SELPA annual service and budget plan; officials report growth in special-education needs
Summary
The board held a public hearing and approved the SELPA annual service and budget plan, noting a rise in identification of students with disabilities (from ~10% to ~13% statewide trends) and a local special-education budget of about $41 million with a $16 million local contribution.
At a noticed public hearing the district’s SELPA director, Dr. Rochelle Chavez, presented the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) annual service and budget plan and answered board questions.
Chavez described SELPA governance (ABC is a single-district SELPA), programs and outreach, the required service grid identifying which schools provide which specialized services, and the timeline for submission to the California Department of Education. She highlighted coordination with postsecondary partners and the success of a recent adult-transition fair that hosted 14 vendors including Cerritos College and regional resource centers.
On funding, staff presented a restricted-budget summary for special education that included federal, state and local restricted funds. Deputy Superintendent Lewin told the board the district’s total special-education budget is about $41 million, with roughly $16 million coming from the district’s general fund (local contribution/encroachment). Chavez and Lewin said statewide identification rates have risen in recent years to around 13% in some places and that funding increases have not fully caught up with growing service needs.
Trustees asked about transition coordination with Cerritos College and about early identification; staff said transition planning begins by age 16 through the IEP process and the district coordinates with local colleges and regional centers. The public hearing closed and the board approved the SELPA annual service and budget plan.
What’s next: The plan will be submitted to the California Department of Education by June 30 and posted on the ABC SELPA website; staff will continue community workshops and CAC meetings.
