Title
2025-2026 Nonpublic School/Agency (“NPS/A”) Ratification of Master Contracts
Division of Special Education and Medical Services Division
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description
Brief Description:
(2025-2026 Nonpublic School/Agency (“NPS/A”) Ratification of Master Contracts) Recommends the ratification of 2025-2026 Nonpublic School/Agency (“NPS/A”) Master Contacts with the 91contractors listed in Attachment A for the provision of Special Education Supports and Services, including Special Education Health and Nursing Services.
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Recommendation
Action Proposed:
Ratify the NPS/A Master Contracts executed under delegated authority by the Division of Special Education and Medical Services Division, with the 91contractors listed in Attachment A for the provision of Special Education Supports, including Special Education Health and Nursing Services and for the 2025- 2026 school year.
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Body
Background:
On April 21, 2026, pursuant to Board Report No. 303-25/26, the Board of Education (Board) approved an update to the delegation of authority it authorized on May 13, 2025 (Board Report No. 331-24/25) to negotiate and execute NPA master contracts for Special Education Supports and Services, including Health and Nursing Services with California Department of Education (CDE)-certified NPSAs. The update increased the aggregate amount from $248 million to $256 million for the 2025-26 school year, and from $255 million to $262 million for the 2026-27 school year. After that time, the aggregate contract amount authorized under delegated authority would revert back to the original amounts.
The Division of Special Education and Medical Services Division prepare periodic reports to support contract actions necessary for the provision of Special Education Supports and Services, as well as Special Education Health and Nursing Services, in accordance with the authority delegated by the Board to the Superintendent.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”) requires that the District provide eligible students with disabilities access to special education and related services. The District fulfills these obligations through its Special Education Local Plan Area (“SELPA”) Local Plan. In doing so, the District must maintain a continuum of placement and service options to meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities, including services provided by nonpublic, nonsectarian schools (“NPS”) and nonpublic agencies (“NPA”), pursuant to Education Code sections 56360, 56361, 56365.
To ensure the availability of these services, the District is required to enter into master contracts with NPS and NPA providers. These contracts establish the terms, conditions, and financial agreements for the delivery of services specified in a student’s Individual Education Program (“IEP”), in accordance with Education Code section 56366(a). The District negotiates and executes these master contracts on an annual basis, consistent with Title 5, California Code of regulations, section 3062(a).
The Division of Special Education and the Medical Services Division seek Board ratification of Nonpublic School and Agency Master Contracts for the 2025-26 school year, as detailed in Attachment “A,” to ensure the continued provision of legally mandated IEP supports and services. These contracts fall within the scope of authority previously delegated by the Board in its action dated May 13, 2025 (Board Report No. 331-24/25).
Expected Outcomes:
Approval of these items will allow the Division of Special Education and Medical Services Division to continue the provision of Special Education Supports and Services and Special Education Health and Nursing Services provided by these contracts to the Los Angeles Unified School District to serve eligible students with disabilities in support of Board policies and goals.
Board Options and Consequences:
A “YES” vote ratifies the Division of Special Education’s and Medical Services Division’s executed Master Contracts that provide NPS/A services to qualified students with disabilities.
A “NO” vote will result in immediate unavailability of these services or discontinuance of services, or both. The unavailability or discontinuance of these services would likely result in costly litigation and increased future costs in securing these services. Postponement of actions presented for ratification in Attachment “A” will delay contract award or delivery dates, resulting in costly litigation.
Policy Implications:
This action does not change District policy and conforms to Board action on May 13, 2025 (Board Report No. 331-24/25).
Budget Impact:
The master contracts are within the maximum aggregate previously approved by the Board. They are funded by Special Education Funds (76.84%) and Federal Funds (23.16%).
Student Impact:
These contracts support the provision of special education and related services required by federal and state special education laws.
Equity Impact:
|
Component |
Score |
Score Rationale |
|
Recognition |
3 |
The award of the nonpublic school and agency (NPS/A) master contracts supports the District’s efforts to provide mandated special education and related services and programs for students with disabilities pursuant to their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The District is required to maintain a continuum of program options, to include nonpublic school and agency services, to meet the needs of individuals with exceptional needs for special education and related services as required by the IDEA. |
|
Component |
Score |
Score Rationale |
|
Resource Prioritization |
2 |
The NPS/A contracts make services available to qualified students with disabilities, to be provided through master contracts with California Department of Education certified nonpublic schools and agencies. |
|
Results |
3 |
The 2025-2026 NPS/A contracts ensure that the Division of Special Education has the required continuum of program options available to meet the needs of individuals with exceptional needs for special education and related services as required by the IDEA. |
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TOTAL |
8 |
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Issues and Analysis:
In May 2025, staff anticipated negotiating and executing master contracts for the 2025-26 school year with approximately 92 returning nonpublic schools/agencies (NPS/A) to provide special education supports and services in accordance with students’ IEPs. It was also noted that additional contractors could be added to the final list as needed. At that time, staff further projected entering into master contracts with at least three nonpublic agencies (NPAs) for the provision of health and nursing services for students with disabilities pursuant to their IEPs
Following the completion of negotiations, master contracts have been executed with 91 NPS/A providers for special education supports (including 89 returning providers and 2 new providers, one of which was subsequently acquired by an existing contractor). In addition, contracts have been executed with 2 NPAs for health and nursing services (including 1 returning provider and 1 new provider).
Attachments:
Attachment A - Ratification of Contracts Awarded Under Delegated Authority
Link Material(s):
• Reference under the background section Update to the Delegation of Authority to Negotiate and Execute Nonpublic Agency Master Contracts adopted April 21, 2026, (Board Report No. 303-25/26 <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uCjFCMVPp2H1fyXUYn7A9n401X8Zh7l7/view?usp=sharing>).
• Referenced under the policy implications section Delegation of Authority to Negotiate an Execute Master Contracts adopted May 13, 2025 (Board Report No. 331-24/25 <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_5-32d6GKG2_OgjuAzaCvpVv4SDE9E00/view?usp=sharing>).
Submitted:
04/30/26
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, APPROVED BY:
______________________________ _____________________________
ANDRES E. CHAIT KARLA V. ESTRADA
Acting Superintendent Deputy Superintendent Instruction
REVIEWED BY: APPROVED BY:
______________________________ ______________________________
DEVORA NAVERA REED PEDRO SALCIDO
General Counsel Deputy Superintendent Operations
Business Services and Operations
___ Approved as to form.
REVIEWED BY: APPROVED & PRESENTED BY:
______________________________ ______________________________
KURT JOHN ANTHONY AGUILAR
Deputy Chief Financial Officer Chief
Special Education & Specialized Programs
___ Approved as to budget impact statement.
APPROVED & PRESENTED BY: APPROVED & PRESENTED BY:
______________________________ ______________________________
SMITA MALHOTRA, MD JOSE SOTO
Chief Medical Director Executive Director
Medical Services Division Division of Special Education
APPROVED & PRESENTED BY:
______________________________
PAULINA ROCK
Executive Director
Medical Services Division