Richard Price
Menifee
Summary
Experienced Special Education Administrator with over 20 years of progressive leadership across district, SELPA, nonpublic school, and secondary settings. Expertise in IDEA compliance, program development, Adult Transition services, LRE implementation, dispute resolution, and staff supervision. Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, oversee complex IEP processes, manage due process matters, and design transition-focused programs that align with state and federal mandates while maintaining strong family and community partnership
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Administrator – Dean of Special Education
Temecula Valley Unified School District
2023.09 - Current
- Under the direction of the Special Education Director, assists with the administration and coordination of the Adult Transition and LEAPS programs, as well as working collaboratively with the Special Education Department to coordinate aspects of the Special Education programs at one or more comprehensive high school sites
- Relates to students with mutual respect while carrying out a positive and effective discipline policy
- Supervises full and part-time Special Education staff including shared responsibility for hiring, disciplining or termination decisions, as well as shared responsibility for training, mentoring, and evaluating teachers and support staff, both Certificated and Classified
- Directs and provides oversight for Special Education programs and activities and works collaboratively with the Special Education Department to ensure compliance, training, and protocols are followed
- Maintains a commitment to ongoing growth in self and others, supporting and participating in District and site professional growth programs
- Builds strong relationships and collaborates with parent support groups and Foundations
- Demonstrates a positive attitude toward job and remains a flexible and an innovative team builder
- Has knowledge of local policies, state and federal laws relating to minors, especially Special Education minors and adults
- Assists with emergency situations and cooperation with staff and public safety agencies
- Performs other duties and assumes other responsibilities as the Director of Special Education may request.
Administrator - Program Specialist
Southern Orange County SELPA, Laguna Beach Unified School District, Saddleback Valley Unified School District
2022.08 - 2023.06
- Observe, consult, and assist resource specialists, special education teachers, designated instruction, and services instructors. Plan programs, coordinate curricular resources and evaluate effectiveness of programs for special education. Provide coordination, consultation, and program development. Inform staff of laws and regulations, monitor compliance, assist in preparation for and participation in Mediation and Due Process, assist in compliance investigations. Assist in implementation IEP to insure in Least Restrictive Environment, assist in inter and intra district placements. Assist with long range program planning, implementation and participation in district and school staff development, program development and innovation of special methods and approaches, oversee activities related to the Least Restrictive Environment, including inclusive education, implementation of methodologies, classroom strategies and adapting regular education curriculum. Oversee projects and programs to include, but not limited to inclusion, nonpublic schools and agencies, transition, inclusion, and specialized methodologies for the deaf and hard of hearing, autism, and other eligibilities.
Program Specialist – Psychological Services NPSS - ERICS
Los Angeles Unified School District
2018.07 - 2022.07
- Participates in the design, coordination, and implementation of the Division of Special Education’s programs
- Ensures a comprehensive and current understanding of District, state and federal mandates as they relate to the provision of services to students with disabilities; provides implementation of final settlement agreements at NPS
- Collaborates with District school sites, Special Education Service Centers, Central Office, charter schools and departments within the Division of Special Education on referral, assessment and service provision of NPS students being considered for Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) transition
- Monitors the delivery of special education services at the NPS, provides NPS staff professional development to include but not limited to: IEP Compliance and Development, Instructional Curriculum, Assessment, and LRE, per District, state and federal mandates
- Participates in special education District Validation Review (DVR) and California Department of Education (CDE) onsite reviews
- Tracks, manages, monitors and reports on noncompliance special education matters and corrective actions as it relates to targeted NPS
- Performed Due Process Related Duties with Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR)
- Implemented Final Settlement Agreements.
Special Education Teacher – Phoenix Academy/Woodrow Wilson High School
Los Angeles Unified School District
2015.08 - 2018.07
- Provide instruction and support to students in a special education program designed to provide a safe academic and therapeutic environment for students in grades 9-12 with non-aggressive social-emotional issues that adversely affect their educational success
- Communicates with families to create a partnership around student learning by providing information about the instructional program and the progress of their child(ren); advocates the special needs of the students with the school and community.
Assistant Principal of School Administration
Exceptional Children Foundation – Kayne ERAS Center (NPS)
2001.10 - 2015.08
- As part of the Leadership team, worked with the Director of School Programs to promote, enhance, and effectively manage all school related programs and activities
- Established and maintained educational programs in compliance with required objectives of individual contracted school districts.
- Budget reconciliation instructional & related services
- Present Trainings and Professional Development
- Interview/Hire prospective teachers & staff
- Prior to administration position was special education teacher for 13 years.
Education
Master of Science - Education Administration
National University
2014-07
Master of Arts - Teaching – Special Education with Autism Authorization
National University
2015-11
Skills
- IDEA & California Education Code Compliance
- IEP Development, Implementation & Procedural Safeguards
- Special Education Program Design & Oversight (High School, Adult Transition & Post-Secondary Programs)
- Staff Supervision, Hiring, Evaluation & Professional Development
- Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) & Placement Decision-Making
- Dispute Resolution, Mediation & Due Process Preparation
- Strategic planning
- Multiple priorities management
Accomplishments
- Directed secondary and adult transition special education programs, aligning services, staffing, and compliance with IDEA and district priorities.
- Strengthened IEP systems and procedural safeguards to ensure legally defensible practices and reduce compliance risk.
- Led hiring, supervision, and professional development of certificated and classified staff across multiple program settings.
- Guided complex LRE and placement decisions, balancing FAPE obligations, program capacity, and family engagement.
- Supported district and SELPA monitoring, validation reviews, and corrective action implementation.
- Advanced transition programming through enhanced interagency collaboration and post-secondary pathway alignment.
Certification
- ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES CREDENTIAL
- EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST CREDENTIAL – Level II
Timeline
Administrator – Dean of Special Education
Temecula Valley Unified School District
2023.09 - Current
Administrator - Program Specialist
Southern Orange County SELPA, Laguna Beach Unified School District, Saddleback Valley Unified School District
2022.08 - 2023.06
Program Specialist – Psychological Services NPSS - ERICS
Los Angeles Unified School District
2018.07 - 2022.07
Special Education Teacher – Phoenix Academy/Woodrow Wilson High School
Los Angeles Unified School District
2015.08 - 2018.07
Assistant Principal of School Administration
Exceptional Children Foundation – Kayne ERAS Center (NPS)
2001.10 - 2015.08
Master of Arts - Teaching – Special Education with Autism Authorization
National University
Master of Science - Education Administration
National University