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Board approves special education local plan after public hearing; district cites compliance and graduation gains
Summary
After a public hearing, the board adopted the SELPA local plan (Parts B, D and E) for 2026–27. Special education leaders described major compliance improvements, reduced overdue IEPs, higher participation in state tests and a jump in graduation rates for students with disabilities.
The Vallejo City Unified School District board on June 17 held a public hearing and approved the Special Education Local Plan (Parts B, D and E) for the 2026–27 year after district staff outlined improvements and proposed initiatives to strengthen in-district services.
Executive Director Kristen Hardy and special education staff said the district has made measurable gains this year: overdue IEPs fell dramatically (from thousands of errors to a small number on census day), timeline compliance improved by more than 93%, statewide testing participation exceeded 95%, and the graduation rate for students with disabilities rose sharply (the presentation cited movement from about 67.5% to roughly 93% for the 12th-grade cohort).
Hardy framed the work with a central principle: “students with disabilities are general education students first,” and the local plan is designed to ensure individualized IEP services while strengthening inclusion, co-teaching and in-district capacity.
The plan outlines governance structures, projected special-education revenues (~$15–16M), projected expenditures (~$50.5M) and the district’s significant local contribution (about 68% of special-education costs), along with operational targets to reduce contractor reliance and increase in-person speech and instructional services. Presenters described an early-learning partnership (Rising Star) to bring targeted classrooms for young learners with significant needs and a plan to scale in-district services that historically relied on contractors.
Board action: Following the public hearing with no speakers, trustees moved and voted to approve the governance and administration plan, annual services plan and annual budget plan; the roll call vote was recorded as 4–0 with one absence.
What comes next: Staff will submit required documents to the California Department of Education and continue implementing staffing and service changes described in the plan, including strengthened position control and plans to expand in-person services.
Article sources: SELPA presentation and board vote on June 17; statements from Executive Director Kristen Hardy and special education staff.
