School Board Appoints Nazario as Director of Special Ed

Castro Valley schools will be getting a new director of special education starting next month. At its September 22 meeting, the Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) Board of Education approved Kevin Nazario for the position of Director of Special Education and its representative for the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). Nazario is replacing Suzy Williams, who after 13 years in the district has taken a role elsewhere.

Typically, special education services are managed through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Castro Valley develops approximately 900 student IEP plans district-wide, annually, according to the CVUSD website.

Nazario has 12 years of special education under his belt, beginning as a teacher with the West Contra Costa Unified School district. During his first few years, Nazario developed monitoring systems with teachers, administration, and parents to support student learning. He also led professional development on co-teaching for teachers and students to be successful in the general education setting. 

He then moved into administration roles before serving for three years as the director of special education for secondary programs. During that time, Nazario developed accountability systems for state and federal compliance procedures, as well as compliance reporting. 

“One of his district-wide goals included improving communication with parents, students, and district personnel to support student learning. A participant in Alternative Dispute Resolution, LCAP Data team, and the Course Alignment Team has provided a strong foundation and growth in leading the secondary programs,” CVUSD issued in its announcement 

Since that time, Nazario earned a master’s degree from Harvard in Mind, Brain, and Education. He then returned to the Bay Area to continue his work in Special Education in his current role as assistant director of Special Education for the San Leandro Unified School District. 

“Please join me in welcoming Mr. Nazario. With his vast experience and expertise in special education, Mr. Nazario is a tremendous asset in his new role as the Special Education & SELPA Director,” CVUSD Superintendent Parvin Ahmadi said in a statement.

Since 1977, all California school districts, and county school offices are required to form special education plans that suit the needs of the students within their boundaries.

A student may qualify for special education services as an individual with special needs in one of 13 areas including autism, deafness, orthopedic impairment, severe emotional disturbance, speech or language impairment, and visual impairment.