2024 ACSA Personnel & Negotiations Symposium

Attending this event?

2024 ACSA Personnel & Negotiations Symposium

arrow_back View All Dates

6:30am PDT

Yoga Sponsored by Informed K12

Thursday September 26, 2024 6:30am - 7:30am PDT

Kickboxing & Yoga blends kickboxing and yoga to get your body to use muscles that don't always get activated. It demands attention from the muscles called "synergistic muscles" - the smaller muscles that support and direct the larger muscles like the quads, hams, and deltoids. By Firing up these smaller, supportive muscles, you get two benefits: new muscle tone definition, and functional training to promote good joint mechanics. 50 Mins of Class / 10 Mins of Stretch and Meditation.

Modification will be provided

Music: Upbeat Music

Thursday September 26, 2024 6:30am - 7:30am PDT
Boardroom 4

Activity

7:30am PDT

Continental Breakfast

Thursday September 26, 2024 7:30am - 8:30am PDT

Grand Peninsula D

Thursday September 26, 2024 7:30am - 8:30am PDT
Grand Peninsula D

Meal Function

7:30am PDT

Registration & Information

Thursday September 26, 2024 7:30am - 5:00pm PDT

Promenade (2nd Floor)

Thursday September 26, 2024 7:30am - 5:00pm PDT
Promenade (2nd Floor)

Registration & Information

8:30am PDT

Establishing Collaborative Relationships at the Bargaining Table

Thursday September 26, 2024 8:30am - 10:00am PDT

Grand Peninsula G

Folsom Cordova Unified School District has implemented several practices to move from an adversarial bargaining relationship to a collaborative culture. This presentation shares experiences and strategies for bargaining teams.

Speakers

Kim Bogard

Partner, Kingsley Bogard Attorneys

Kim Kingsley Bogard brings a background in psychology and more than 20 years of education experience to her work as a respected attorney in her field. Kim devotes a large portion of her practice to collective bargaining and related areas. She is sought by school districts and other... Read More →

Donald Ogden

Associate Superintendent of Human Resource, Folsom Cordova Unified School District

Thursday September 26, 2024 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Grand Peninsula G

Concurrent Session

8:30am PDT

Navigating HR's AI Frontier: Balancing Innovation and Compliance

Thursday September 26, 2024 8:30am - 10:00am PDT

Grand Peninsula EF

Join us for an interactive presentation in which we explore the intersection of Human Resources and Generative AI. We will discuss how innovations in AI are revolutionizing HR practices and how AI can optimize talent acquisition, retention, and training strategies. At the same time, we will discuss recent regulatory efforts in AI governance, address legal and ethical considerations, and explore best practices for maintaining compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Speakers

Alex A. Lozada

Senior Counsel, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

Dustin Stroeve

Associate, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

Thursday September 26, 2024 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Grand Peninsula EF

Concurrent Session

8:30am PDT

Staying Legal, Part I

Thursday September 26, 2024 8:30am - 10:00am PDT

Grand Peninsula AB

Staying Legal is fast-paced DWK-attorney led professional development focused on human resources and labor relations legal issues. Dannis, Pearl and Nakamura are 100% focused on practical lessons about education, labor and employment law to help you manage and maintain high-functioning human resources (HR) and labor relations departments for your district or county office. We don’t lecture or bore you with slides about legal esoterica. Together we learn, strategize, problem solve, laugh, and interact. We use curated HR and labor relations materials (summarizing court decisions, PERB decisions, laws, regulations, policies, and recent developments) to impart real-world lessons and pertinent knowledge about legal requirements and best practices for HR and labor relations professionals. Who knew the law could be so much fun?

Speakers

Gregory J. Dannis

Shareholder, Dannis Woliver Kelley

Gregory J. Dannis is a Shareholder in the San Francisco office, President of Dannis Woliver Kelley, and a member of the Labor, Employment and Personnel (LEAP) and Board Ethics Transparency and Accountability (BETA) Practice Groups. He is serving his fourth term as a Board member of... Read More →

Marie A. Nakamura

Shareholder, Dannis Woliver Kelley

Marie A. Nakamura is the Managing Shareholder of the Sacramento Office and Chair of the firm’s Labor, Employment and Personnel Group. She represents school districts and county offices of education in employment and labor law, school board governance, as well as general education... Read More →

Jonathan A. Pearl

Shareholder, Dannis Woliver Kelley

Jonathan A. Pearl is the Managing Shareholder of DWK’s San Diego office and a member of the Labor, Employment and Personnel (LEAP), Board Ethics, Transparency and Accountability, and Students and Special Education Practice Groups. He served as Chair of the LEAP Practice Group... Read More →

Thursday September 26, 2024 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Grand Peninsula AB

Concurrent Session

8:30am PDT

Title IX Compliance

Thursday September 26, 2024 8:30am - 10:00am PDT

Grand Peninsula C

The 2024 Title IX regulations have caused districts to re-evaluate, adjust, and implement various Title IX policies and procedures. This workshop provides attendees with an overarching legal and practical framework for implementing the new Title IX regulations. Representative topics and areas of focus include:

Speakers

Sarah E. Fama

Senior Counsel, Lozano Smith

OverviewSarah E. Fama is Senior Counsel in Lozano Smith's Walnut Creek office. She represents public agencies through various aspects of employment and general liability issues.ExperienceMs. Fama represents public employers at California Superior Court, California Labor Commission... Read More →

Thursday September 26, 2024 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Grand Peninsula C

Concurrent Session

10:15am PDT

Layoffs 101

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:15am - 11:45am PDT

Grand Peninsula EF

Districts work diligently to recruit and retain staff and avoid layoffs whenever possible. With bleak budgets at hand and projected to continue into the future, many will have to consider layoffs for the first time in over a decade. These experienced presenters, a seasoned attorney and recently retired administrator, will review the requirements of the layoff process, as well as best practices to follow. Special consideration will be given to ensuring seniority lists are accurate and complete.

Speakers

Michael Lin

Next Level Client Services Consultant, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP

Elizabeth (Lisa) Mori

Attorney, Fagen, Friedman and Fulfrost, LLP (F3)

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Grand Peninsula EF

Concurrent Session

10:15am PDT

Negotiating in Tough Financial Times

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:15am - 11:45am PDT

Grand Peninsula G

Whether its plummeting enrollment, disruptions of all kinds, or pivoting to react to the latest legal mandate, the 2024-25 school experience is anything but certain. This interactive presentation will discuss strategies for approaching and negotiating pressing issues in this age of uncertain funding. Representative topics include goal setting, CBA audit, and key negotiation practices.

Speakers

Dulcinea Grantham

Partner, Lozano Smith

OverviewDulcinea Grantham is a Partner in Lozano Smith's Walnut Creek office. She specializes in labor and employment issues for school districts. Ms. Grantham has significant experience handling layoff hearings, arbitrations and classified and certificated employee dismissal matters... Read More →

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Grand Peninsula G

Concurrent Session

10:15am PDT

Staying Legal, Parts II

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:15am - 11:45am PDT

Grand Peninsula AB

Staying Legal is fast-paced DWK-attorney led professional development focused on human resources and labor relations legal issues. Dannis, Pearl and Nakamura are 100% focused on practical lessons about education, labor and employment law to help you manage and maintain high-functioning human resources (HR) and labor relations departments for your district or county office. We don’t lecture or bore you with slides about legal esoterica. Together we learn, strategize, problem solve, laugh, and interact. We use curated HR and labor relations materials (summarizing court decisions, PERB decisions, laws, regulations, policies, and recent developments) to impart real-world lessons and pertinent knowledge about legal requirements and best practices for HR and labor relations professionals. Who knew the law could be so much fun?

Speakers

Gregory J. Dannis

Shareholder, Dannis Woliver Kelley

Gregory J. Dannis is a Shareholder in the San Francisco office, President of Dannis Woliver Kelley, and a member of the Labor, Employment and Personnel (LEAP) and Board Ethics Transparency and Accountability (BETA) Practice Groups. He is serving his fourth term as a Board member of... Read More →

Marie A. Nakamura

Shareholder, Dannis Woliver Kelley

Marie A. Nakamura is the Managing Shareholder of the Sacramento Office and Chair of the firm’s Labor, Employment and Personnel Group. She represents school districts and county offices of education in employment and labor law, school board governance, as well as general education... Read More →

Jonathan A. Pearl

Shareholder, Dannis Woliver Kelley

Jonathan A. Pearl is the Managing Shareholder of DWK’s San Diego office and a member of the Labor, Employment and Personnel (LEAP), Board Ethics, Transparency and Accountability, and Students and Special Education Practice Groups. He served as Chair of the LEAP Practice Group... Read More →

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Grand Peninsula AB

Concurrent Session

10:15am PDT

When Does Implicit Bias Become Explicit Bias? Understanding And Eliminating Stereotypes And Discrimination In The Public School Workplace

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:15am - 11:45am PDT

Grand Peninsula C

Is your workplace infected with stereotypes, cronyism, and favoritism? Does it value workplace “culture” over inclusivity and skill? If so, it might be a victim of implicit bias. This workshop will review cases where courts have (and have not) recognized implicit bias as a form of discrimination.

3 Key Audience Takeaways:

Learn about the psychological basis for implicit bias.
Review how implicit bias can affect personnel decisions through court cases and workplace scenarios.
Hear about how to implement a specific standards-based hiring and evaluation process to counter the impact of implicit bias.

Speakers

John Yeh

Partner, Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP

John Yeh has been practicing law in California since 1991. A California K-12 public school product and parent, he specializes in representing and advising school districts in charter school oversight, labor and employment, and litigation. He also has extensive experience in advising... Read More →

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Grand Peninsula C

Concurrent Session

12:00pm PDT

Keynote Luncheon and Negotiator of the Year Award Presentation

Thursday September 26, 2024 12:00pm - 1:15pm PDT

Grand Peninsula D

Thursday September 26, 2024 12:00pm - 1:15pm PDT
Grand Peninsula D

General Session

1:30pm PDT

Developing Certificated/Classified Leadership Pipelines

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Grand Peninsula G

The presentation will discuss the need to develop and grow in-house certificated and classified leadership pipelines. Specifically by creating and developing leadership development programs within your own district.

Speakers

Linsey Gotanda, Ed.D.

Deputy Superintendent, Pupil and Personnel Services, Paramount Unified School District

Dr. Matthew Horvath

Assistant Superintendent, Personnel Services, Beverly Hills Unified School District

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Grand Peninsula G

Concurrent Session

1:30pm PDT

Get In Line – The Importance of HR and Business Being Aligned for Stronger Negotiations

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Grand Peninsula AB

It might be common for tension to exist between HR and Business staff, but finding a way to align and work together puts the management negotiation team on more solid ground. These presenters, a well-respected education attorney and two experienced superintendents, will provide guidance on how to top administrators can find alignment to support successful negotiations.

Speakers

Elliott Duchon

Next Level Client Services Consultant, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP

Michael Lin

Next Level Client Services Consultant, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP

Elizabeth (Lisa) Mori

Attorney, Fagen, Friedman and Fulfrost, LLP (F3)

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Grand Peninsula AB

Concurrent Session

1:30pm PDT

Reasonable Accommodations

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Grand Peninsula EF

The laws governing employee accommodations for disabilities continue to evolve. This presentation will discuss specific types of accommodations, including job transfers and modifications and flexible work schedules, and how to determine when such accommodations are reasonable and required.

Speakers

Dulcinea Grantham

Partner, Lozano Smith

OverviewDulcinea Grantham is a Partner in Lozano Smith's Walnut Creek office. She specializes in labor and employment issues for school districts. Ms. Grantham has significant experience handling layoff hearings, arbitrations and classified and certificated employee dismissal matters... Read More →

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Grand Peninsula EF

Concurrent Session

1:30pm PDT

Working Smarter to Staff Our Schools: A More Strategic Approach for Recruiting and Leveraging New Teachers

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Grand Peninsula C

The time to think more strategically about how we recruit and retain new teachers as well as leverage their experience in our schools is here. As budget shortfalls and declining enrollment converge with heightened calls for our teachers to make massive advances with their students on both academic and social-emotional fronts, our old practices are simply not enough—nor are they sustainable.

More and more districts across the nation are turning to strategic staffing approaches as a way to work smarter. Strategic staffing helps districts build new teacher pipelines for critical subject areas, like special education and STEM. At the same time, they enable schools to better support their students’ academic learning needs in classrooms. It all starts with being more strategic with our existing budget dollars.

In our session, you will learn how Corona-Norco USD developed a reciprocal partnership with our regional educator preparation program (EPP), designed a teacher residency model together to elevate our paraeducators, and then leveraged their instructional experience and expertise to deliver top-notch and cost-effective academic interventions for our students along the way.

Speakers

Glen Gonsalves

Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, Corona-Norco USD

Corona-Norco Unified School District handouts related to job employment.

Rebecca Hatkoff

Director, Teacher Education & Clinical Assistant Professor, Claremount Graduate University

Rebecca Hatkoff is the Director of Teacher Education and Clinical Assistant Professor who also serves as the Claremont Fellows Project Coordinator. Uniquely and intentionally situated at the intersection of K-12 schools and higher education, her experiences have accrued into informed... Read More →

Debra Russell

Specialist, CalEPIC

Debra Russell leads strategic school staffing initiatives for the California Educator Preparation Innovation Collaborative (CalEPIC), based at Chapman University, focused on ensuring our pathways into the profession are equitable and our educational systems support a well-prepared... Read More →

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Grand Peninsula C

Concurrent Session

3:15pm PDT

Employee Leaves Including Leaves under the Pregnant Workers’ Fairness Act (PWFA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Thursday September 26, 2024 3:15pm - 4:45pm PDT

Grand Peninsula C

An interactive presentation which dissects and reviews the many leaves available to classified and certificated employees, including those provided under the PWFA and the ADA, and how to manage and coordinate leaves in full compliance with the law. We will explore common and the more challenging scenarios, including navigating the interactive processes and “reasonable accommodations,” under both the ADA and the PWFA, and also how best to maneuver the complex web of leaves A through Z.

Speakers

Leilani Battiste

Of Counsel, DWK Law

Leilani Battiste is Of Counsel in the San Francisco office and a member of the Labor, Employment and Personnel practice group. She has experience representing public entities, K-12 school districts, and community college districts.Prior to joining the firm, Leilani worked for many... Read More →

Jenell Van Bindsbergen

Of Counsel, Dannis Woliver Kelley

Jenell Van Bindsbergen is Of Counsel in the Fresno office and a member of the Labor, Employment and Personnel practice group. She has extensive experience with labor and employment matters related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, harassment, and... Read More →

Thursday September 26, 2024 3:15pm - 4:45pm PDT
Grand Peninsula C

Concurrent Session

3:15pm PDT

Gender Identity and Transgender Rights in the Workplace

Thursday September 26, 2024 3:15pm - 4:45pm PDT

Grand Peninsula G

This session explores issues of gender identity in the workplace and an employer’s obligations with respect to transgender employees, such as a potential duty to provide reasonable accommodations. We will also discuss best practices for supporting transgender employees and creating an inclusive work environment.

3 Key Audience Takeaways:

Hear a summary of how state and federal law provide protections for gender and gender identity.
Review potential and actual scenarios that arise in the workplace with respect to gender identity.
Learn about personnel practices and policies that provide gender identity protections as ensured under the law.

Speakers

Kate Im

Attorney, Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP

Kate Im is a senior associate attorney in Burke’s Los Angeles office and is a member of the Labor & Employment, and Education Law practice groups. Kate represents and advises cities, school districts, and other public agencies on matters ranging from employee discipline, hiring, and layoffs, collective bargaining, discrimination/civil rights claims, and governance issues. Her practice includes... Read More →

Thursday September 26, 2024 3:15pm - 4:45pm PDT
Grand Peninsula G

Concurrent Session

3:15pm PDT

How to Deal with Conflict at the Table/Impasse

Thursday September 26, 2024 3:15pm - 4:45pm PDT

Grand Peninsula AB

AALRR

Thursday September 26, 2024 3:15pm - 4:45pm PDT
Grand Peninsula AB

Concurrent Session

3:15pm PDT

Leveraging The Governing Board During Collective Bargaining

Thursday September 26, 2024 3:15pm - 4:45pm PDT

Grand Peninsula EF

This session will share the Collective Bargaining strategies used by the St. Helena Unified School District in prioritizing, informing, and communicating Governing Board priorities during the negotiations process. Participants will understand the development of Governing Board priorities and the development of a negotiations platform that promotes transparency and clear outcomes that align the vision of the Board with the District's cabinet's execution of the plan.

Speakers

Chris Heller

Assistant Superintendent, St. Helena Unified School District

Chris serves Assistant Superintendent for the St. Helena Unified School District in the Napa Valley since July 2016. Prior to joining the St. Helena Unified School District, he was a secondary site administrator for 16 years as a High School Vice Principal and Principal. Chris... Read More →

Sarah Niemann

Director, Management Consulting Services, School Services of California

I have served public education in California for over 20 years as an English teacher, principal, Chief of Human Resources (HR) for the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), and the Assistant Superintendent of HR for the Burbank Unified School District (BUSD). At School... Read More →

Leveraging the Governing Boards Role During Collective Bargaining (S. Niemann and C. Heller) pdf

Thursday September 26, 2024 3:15pm - 4:45pm PDT
Grand Peninsula EF

Concurrent Session

4:45pm PDT

Networking Reception

Thursday September 26, 2024 4:45pm - 5:45pm PDT

Thursday September 26, 2024 4:45pm - 5:45pm PDT
Grove

Networking Reception