School board reviews special‑education plan, corrective actions required after state monitoring
April 15, 2026 | Rappahannock County, Virginia
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Dr. Johnson told the Rappahannock County School Board on April 14 that the district had 148 identified special‑education students as of Dec. 1, 2025, up from 141 the prior year, and that referrals and some placements had shifted.
"As of December 1 of 2025, we had 148 special education students identified as compared to 141 in 2024," Dr. Johnson said, noting a small decrease in new referrals and that speech services remain the largest single area of need.
Dr. Johnson explained the results of a recent state monitoring review: of 37 questions, the division was compliant on 30 and non‑compliant on seven. The corrective action plan — due May 19 — addresses areas including documented vision and hearing screening for specified grades, timely processing of referrals (three‑day window), assistive‑technology documentation in IEPs, membership and documented purpose in IEP meeting invitations, and transition‑meeting documentation.
The presentation included program‑level measures: 76% of students spend at least 80% of their day in general education (exceeding the 70% target); 5% of students are outplaced to private day schools (below state average); and 9% of students spend less than 40% in general education (slightly above the 8% recommendation). Dr. Johnson described outreach to parents, community partners that provide services, and steps being taken to correct documentation and process gaps identified by monitoring.
On funding, Dr. Johnson said the projected federal allocation for special education had increased slightly, and the required set‑aside for private and homeschool students rose to $22,000 from $14,000 the previous year; those set‑aside funds are held two years and may be used to offset private‑school speech services.
Board members pressed for clarifications about extended school year services (ESY) and how services are delivered; Dr. Johnson said ESY is typically delivered on campus and that three students were presently identified to receive ESY with three more under consideration.
The board moved, seconded and voted to adopt the special‑education annual plan as presented. The corrective action plan steps will be completed and reported back to the board in the required timeframe.
Ending: The board approved the annual plan and received the corrective action timeline; staff will complete the corrective action plan by the May 19 deadline and follow up with the board.
"As of December 1 of 2025, we had 148 special education students identified as compared to 141 in 2024," Dr. Johnson said, noting a small decrease in new referrals and that speech services remain the largest single area of need.
Dr. Johnson explained the results of a recent state monitoring review: of 37 questions, the division was compliant on 30 and non‑compliant on seven. The corrective action plan — due May 19 — addresses areas including documented vision and hearing screening for specified grades, timely processing of referrals (three‑day window), assistive‑technology documentation in IEPs, membership and documented purpose in IEP meeting invitations, and transition‑meeting documentation.
The presentation included program‑level measures: 76% of students spend at least 80% of their day in general education (exceeding the 70% target); 5% of students are outplaced to private day schools (below state average); and 9% of students spend less than 40% in general education (slightly above the 8% recommendation). Dr. Johnson described outreach to parents, community partners that provide services, and steps being taken to correct documentation and process gaps identified by monitoring.
On funding, Dr. Johnson said the projected federal allocation for special education had increased slightly, and the required set‑aside for private and homeschool students rose to $22,000 from $14,000 the previous year; those set‑aside funds are held two years and may be used to offset private‑school speech services.
Board members pressed for clarifications about extended school year services (ESY) and how services are delivered; Dr. Johnson said ESY is typically delivered on campus and that three students were presently identified to receive ESY with three more under consideration.
The board moved, seconded and voted to adopt the special‑education annual plan as presented. The corrective action plan steps will be completed and reported back to the board in the required timeframe.
Ending: The board approved the annual plan and received the corrective action timeline; staff will complete the corrective action plan by the May 19 deadline and follow up with the board.
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