Board discloses closed-session special‑education settlement and adopts SULPA budget and LCAP-aligned plans

The ABC Unified School District board on June 16 disclosed that, in closed session, it approved a special‑education settlement related to a student matter and later adopted the district’s Special Education Local Plan Area (SULPA) annual budget and service plan and the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and budget for 2026–27.

Closed‑session disclosure: When the board returned to open session it reported that it had approved a special‑education settlement for a student identified in the minutes by a student ID number. In the board statement read aloud, the district recorded monetary components associated with the settlement including attorney fees and educational remedies as read into the minutes; the board noted it had voted on the item in closed session. The transcript lists line-item amounts in the readout; the board’s public disclosure indicated the settlement included attorney fees and compensatory‑education and independent‑educational‑evaluation components.

SULPA public hearing and adoption: Later in the meeting, Dr. Rochelle Chavez, the district’s SULPA director, presented the annual budget and service plan required by the California Department of Education. Chavez described the SULPA’s role as the district’s framework for special education governance, described the services continuum from early intervention through transition for students up to age 22, and explained how projected revenues and expenditures are shown in the packet. Staff noted the state provided additional special‑education funding this year and that the district also contributes local general‑fund dollars to meet program needs. Chavez said tables in the packet show projected revenue and expenditures and reiterated the plan will be posted on the district website and submitted to the state by the extended August 15 deadline.

Budget and LCAP adoption: Deputy Superintendent and CFO Tuan Wen presented estimated‑actual financials for 2025–26 and the proposed 2026–27 budget and LCAP. Wen summarized estimated year‑end revenues and expenditures, the district’s planned use of restricted program funds, multi‑year projections and reserve assumptions, and cautioned that any later compensation changes would affect the multi‑year outlook and could require reductions to meet reserve requirements. The board adopted the LCAP and the 2026–27 budget as presented.

What’s next: The district will post the SULPA plan and submit it to the California Department of Education; staff will begin executing the adopted budget and monitor implementation, and the board asked staff to report on outcomes related to special‑education services and the use of recent state funding increases.