Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon and SELPA Superintendents Council Chair Scott Loehr are pleased to announce the appointment of Josh G. Harris as Executive Director of the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) for Sacramento County. Harris, who was appointed as the Yuba County Superintendent of Schools in July 2015, will assume his new position in June.
“We are excited to have Josh lead our SELPA. He has a breadth of perspective and experience,” said Superintendent Gordon. “Josh will bring leadership, creativity, and a deep sense of commitment to our region's students with special needs.”
The Sacramento County SELPA serves nine school districts plus the Sacramento County Office of Education. The goal of the SELPA is to deliver high-quality special education programs and services to special needs students in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible. As the SELPA's Administrative Unit, the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) receives funds and is responsible for seeing that every eligible child receives appropriate services. In addition to administrative support, the SELPA helps districts comply with legal requirements concerning students with disabilities, and provides professional development activities to foster better relationships between schools and the families of special needs students.
Approximately 8,000 special education students and their families receive services from the Sacramento County SELPA, which includes: Arcohe Union, Center Joint Unified, Elverta Joint, Galt Joint Union, Galt Joint Union High, Natomas Unified, River Delta Unified, Robla, and Twin Rivers Unified School Districts, as well as SCOE.
Prior to being appointed Yuba County Superintendent, Harris was the Yuba County SELPA Administrator. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Maryland, a Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University, and a Master of Laws in Taxation from Golden Gate University.
Harris replaces Judy Holsinger who retired after serving for 26 years as the Sacramento County SELPA Executive Director.