Federal and state policy can read very differently from a Washington, D.C. memo than it does from a director’s office in a Washington school district. This opening session brings the policy lens and the practitioner lens into the same room. Drawing on her experience leading special education at both the federal and state levels, Glenna Gallo will walk through the policy pressures shaping our work right now — from IDEA implementation to state-level guidance — and where directors are feeling the friction between intent and execution. Expect a candid look at what is shifting, what is staying the same, and where district leaders have leverage. The session is designed to set context for the rest of the day and to surface the questions you will want to keep asking.
Building on the morning’s framework, this focused 30-minute follow-up turns toward application. Together we’ll work through choice points drawn from real Washington districts — the early family meeting that did or did not happen, the documentation that did or did not exist, the response that calmed or escalated — and pull out a working set of practices for managing complaints and due process matters in ways that protect students, support staff, and preserve relationships with families wherever possible.
For directors who are new to special education finance in Washington — or who want a clean refresher on the fundamentals — this session walks through the building blocks: how Program 267 works, where special education dollars actually come from at the state and federal levels, an introduction to Safety Net and Maintenance of Effort, and the questions a director should be able to answer about their own program’s budget. You’ll leave with the literacy you need to read your budget, partner with your business office, and know what to ask next. Directors looking for a deeper dive into Safety Net, MOE, and other advanced topics may prefer the concurrent Beyond the Basics session.
Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT Orchard South
