Fresno Unified’s $10 Million Special Education Deficit Illustrates Statewide Funding Crisis, Former Superintendent Says

Fresno Unified received $21 million in additional special education funding but still added more than $10 million to its 2025-26 deficit from special education costs alone, according to a commentary published by a retired California superintendent.

Helio Brasil, who spent three decades in California public education including years as superintendent of Keyes Union School District in Stanislaus County, cited Fresno Unified’s situation as evidence of what he called an unsustainable statewide funding model. He retired in June.

The district is legally required to provide services specified in each student’s individualized education program (IEP). When special education costs exceed dedicated funding, Brasil wrote, the difference comes from the unrestricted general fund — the same fund that supports programs and staff for all students.

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Brasil described growing needs for special education teachers, school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, behavioral specialists, nurses, social workers, and instructional support staff. He noted Fresno Unified’s attempts to manage costs through restructuring, county partnerships, and telehealth.

“Creativity cannot indefinitely substitute for capacity,” Brasil wrote. He called for policymakers to acknowledge that asking districts to “do more with less” is no longer a strategy.

The Breakdown

• Fresno Unified received $21 million in dedicated special education funding.
• Special education costs still added more than $10 million to the district’s 2025-26 deficit.
• An IEP is a legal commitment — districts cannot reduce a student’s legally required services when revenues decline.
• When special education costs outpace dedicated funding, the difference comes from the unrestricted general fund, putting pressure on programs serving every student.

What This Means for You

Brasil’s commentary argues that the funding formula forces districts to choose between meeting legal obligations to students with disabilities and maintaining programs for all students. The $10 million deficit figure represents how much of the district’s general fund — money that could otherwise go toward teachers, class sizes, or other programs — had to cover the gap between what was provided and what the law required Fresno Unified to spend.

What to Watch

Brasil called for “careful evaluation of outcomes, staffing models, caseloads, outside contracting costs, administrative structures, and whether dollars are actually reaching students” to accompany any additional funding. The $10 million deficit this year, even after $21 million in new funding, suggests the model may be designed to lag behind need rather than meet it.