Board hears SELPA service and budget report; special-education general-fund contribution projected at $69 million

District staff presented the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) annual services plan and the SELPA annual budget for 2026-27 at the June 9 board meeting and opened the required public hearing.

Juliana Sauvao, the district's director of special education resolutions and SELPA, described the SELPA as a single-district arrangement for Newport-Mesa and explained that CALPADS service codes drive how individualized education program (IEP) services are reported. She told trustees that in the budget tables "the district general fund provides nearly 69% of the funding for all special education services in the district," down from a prior local plan projection of 74%.

Sara Jocham, who presented the item, clarified the dollar figure: "I'm just gonna clarify, it's $69 million," she said. Presenters noted that revenue for special education is a mix of federal, state and local funds and that the district will send an adopted plan to the California Department of Education after OCDE review and signature.

Board members asked staff for clarification about where the 11% labeled "other outgo and financing" goes; Juliana explained it primarily represents placements in county regionalized programs or services provided by OCDE for students whose needs the district does not provide in-district (for example, certain Deaf and Hard of Hearing programs).

The SELPA presentation was received as part of a public hearing; staff said the plan will be adopted at the next board meeting along with the district's overall budget.

Provenance: Topic presented beginning SEG 577 and discussed through SEG 752.