Penalty Payments: A tool to enforce SpEd caseload caps

For years, SDEA members have fought to enforce Special Education caseload limits that ensure students have enough support. Yearly union-wide grievances and delayed settlement checks weren’t enough to push the District to fill vacancies. Now, for more accountability, when the District does not sufficiently staff Special Education, they must pay a penalty payment in the form of a monthly stipend to any Education Specialist who is over caseload. This compensates educators and creates financial pressure to staff positions so students get the support they need.

See this Know Your Rights flyer for a condensed version of this information.

Cross-checking & Troubleshooting

Each month, the District will provide SDEA staff and leaders a list (or “exhibit”) of Ed Specialists over caseload during that month. SDEA staff and leaders will share that list with members when they receive it. Members have a month to check their own numbers and submit a Caseload Appeal Form if the District’s list is incorrect, along with caseload evidence. 

Information will be sent via email each month and posted here. Please reach out to the SDEA office if you are an Ed Specialist and not receiving these emails.

Past Caseload Grievance Settlements:

In February 2026, after years of pressure, SDEA members won a settlement of several years of Special Education caseload grievances… along with a new contract with more enforceable caseload language.

• 2023-24 and 2024-25 School Years: Settlements were paid out in July. See more here.
• 2025-26 School Year: The District is still compiling this information to provide an Exhibit, Appeal Form, and payment timeline. Check back soon and keep an eye on your email if you were over caseload in 2025-26. This year’s stipends will be paid as one sum retroactively since the school year is already over, but going forward, stipends must be paid monthly after overages.

Document your caseload! 

Whether or not you’re currently over caseload, it’s a good idea to get in the habit of documenting your caseload! This way you’ll have that data on hand if you need it. Every week and any day your caseload changes, download or print a PowerSchool IEP caseload report with a date and timestamp. See this SDUSD Job Aid for instructions on how to download a caseload report.