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Board approves Northwest Regional ESD 2026–27 local service plan; district outlines special‑education costs
Summary
The Vernonia board approved the Northwest Regional ESD 2026–27 local service plan, sustaining shared special‑education and related services. During discussion staff detailed contract costs and placements, including a Cascadia placement costing roughly $62,000 per year.
The Vernonia SD 47J Board voted to approve the Northwest Regional ESD 2026–27 local service plan, a collaborative agreement that provides special‑education and related services (psychologists, occupational/physical therapy, speech/language pathologists) and other regional supports.
Staff explained the cost efficiencies of shared regional services and cited specific line items: business/payroll services (about $43,000 per year), early‑childhood EIECSE supports ($10,000), Willamette Promise payments ($3,786) and a current Cascadia Academy behavioral placement costing about $62,000 per year. “It promotes equity of service and really what that means is every kid gets what they need to be able to access education,” the superintendent said, describing why contracting through the ESD can be more cost‑effective than hiring full‑time specialists for a small district. The board moved, seconded and carried the motion to approve the plan.
