The Shenandoah Valley Regional Program:

Supporting Special Education and the Urgent Need for Financial Transparency

The Shenandoah Valley Regional Program (SVRP) is a vital educational partnership serving students with disabilities across seven Virginia school divisions: Shenandoah County, Page County, Rockingham County, Harrisonburg City, Augusta County, Staunton City, and Waynesboro City. Since its founding in 1979, SVRP has provided specialized services to students whose needs exceed what individual school divisions can offer alone.

SVRP’s mission is to ensure that students with disabilities receive equitable access to education through tailored instruction, therapeutic services, behavioral support, and transitional planning. These services are essential for students with complex needs, including autism spectrum disorders, emotional and behavioral challenges, intellectual disabilities, and physical impairments. SVRP helps these students succeed academically and socially, preparing them for life beyond school.

Governed by a Joint Board composed of representatives from each participating division, SVRP reflects a regional commitment to inclusive education. Its collaborative structure allows for shared resources, expertise, and funding making it possible to deliver high-quality services that would be difficult for any single division to sustain their respective programs individually. 

Because SVRP serves some of the most vulnerable students in the region, the integrity of its funding is paramount. These students often require intensive support, specialized staff, and adaptive technologies—all of which depend on consistent and appropriate financial investment. Any misuse or diversion of funds intended for special education can have serious consequences, potentially reducing the quality or availability of services and undermining the program’s mission.

This concern has come into sharp focus in Shenandoah County, where questions have emerged about how public funds were used during the 2020-21 school year. Specifically, the school division spent approximately $304,000 to change the names of two schools—Stonewall Jackson High School and Ashby-Lee Elementary School. These schools were renamed using what was described as “savings” by the school board at that time.

In 2024, the school board voted to restore the original names, a move that cost significantly less, around $131,000. The stark difference in cost has prompted scrutiny, especially regarding the source of the original funds used in 2020-21.

Former School board member Brandi Rutz had publicly called for a forensic audit of the 2020-21 expenditures related to the name changes. Her concern was that funds earmarked for special education, possibly including SVRP allocations, may have been used to cover the costs of renaming the schools.

“These are special-ed kids, they’re our most delicate,” Rutz said during a board meeting. “I think there’s probably some conversations with the DOE [Department of Education] that need to happen.”

If funds intended for SVRP or other special education services were diverted for non-instructional purposes, it would represent a serious breach of fiduciary responsibility. Such a misuse could directly impact students who rely on specialized support, and it would violate the public’s trust in the school division’s financial stewardship.

A forensic audit would help clarify whether the expenditures were properly authorized, whether they complied with state and federal regulations, and whether any corrective action is needed. It would also ensure that future financial decisions are made transparently and with full accountability.

Adding to the overall story is that the Shenandoah County School Division’s recent refusal to comment on the audit request or the financial details surrounding the name changes. This sudden silence is notable, and potentially telling. In public administration, a lack of transparency often signals that a matter is under further investigation, either internally or by external agencies.

While no official confirmation has been provided, the division’s unwillingness to engage publicly may indicate that legal or procedural reviews are underway. For parents, educators, and taxpayers, this lack of communication raises serious questions about oversight and accountability.

Transparency is not just a bureaucratic ideal it’s a practical necessity. When public funds are involved, especially those designated for vulnerable populations like students with disabilities, the community deserves clear answers. Silence from the school division only deepens concerns and erodes public confidence.

The Shenandoah Valley Regional Program plays a critical role in ensuring that students with disabilities receive the education and support they need. Its success depends not only on skilled educators and collaborative governance but also on responsible financial management.

Any action that compromises SVRP’s funding or mission must be thoroughly investigated. The forensic audit of the 2020-21 school name change expenditures is not just a matter of financial housekeeping—it’s a test of the school division’s commitment to equity, transparency, and the protection of its most vulnerable students.

As the community awaits further developments, one thing remains clear: public trust in educational institutions hinges on their ability to prioritize student needs over political agendas. SVRP deserves unwavering support, and any actions that compromise its mission must be addressed with integrity and urgency.