2024 ACSA Personnel & Negotiations Symposium: Full Schedule

1:15pm PDT

Cellphones and Social Media

Tuesday September 24, 2024 1:15pm - 2:45pm PDT

Technology is evolving much faster than laws, making it difficult to ensure policies and training keep pace with devices, software and apps. These experienced education attorneys will provide insight for guiding and informing staff, students and families on a topic that is in the news and on parents’ minds.

Speakers

Treesineu McDaniel

Associate, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP

Gretchen Shipley

Attorney, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP

Tuesday September 24, 2024 1:15pm - 2:45pm PDT
Grand Peninsula EF

Concurrent Session

3:00pm PDT

Beyond the WVPP: Effectively Handling Disruptive Workplace Conduct

Tuesday September 24, 2024 3:00pm - 4:30pm PDT

Grand Peninsula EF

By now, workplace violence prevention plans have been implemented. However, disruptions and workplace misconduct continue in various settings within a school district. This workshop goes beyond the plan to address proper handlining and documenting workplace misconduct from a legal and practical standpoint. Representative topics include TROs, abusive conduct, and employee bullying.

Speakers

Courtney de Groof

Partner, Lozano Smith

OverviewCourtney de Groof is Senior Counsel in Lozano Smith's Sacramento office. She assists her public agency clientswith issues related to labor and employment, litigation, and charter schools.ExperienceMs. de Groof advises school districts, community colleges, and county offices... Read More →

Tuesday September 24, 2024 3:00pm - 4:30pm PDT
Grand Peninsula EF

Concurrent Session

8:30am PDT

The Heat is On – How to Talk About Hot HR Topics Without Getting Burned

Wednesday September 25, 2024 8:30am - 10:00am PDT

Grand Peninsula EF

"Are you planning layoffs?" "Did that teacher get fired?" "Who selected that new principal?" Tough questions like these can stump even the most seasoned administrator. This panel, which includes an experienced education law attorney, a communications expert and a recently retired superintendent, will help you prepare for difficult and sensitive personnel matters.

Speakers

Sandra Lyon, Ed. D.

Retired Superintendent & Next Level Client Services Consultant, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP

Terilyn Finders

Chief Client Services Officer, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP

Communication needs, governance training

Elizabeth (Lisa) Mori

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

Wednesday September 25, 2024 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Grand Peninsula EF

Concurrent Session

10:15am PDT

HR Operations: Preparing for Changes to Employment Laws

Wednesday September 25, 2024 10:15am - 11:45am PDT

Grand Peninsula EF

This interactive session will focus on how to navigate some of the biggest issues faced by human resources (HR) leaders. As we continue to endure the era of transformational employment legislation, it is important that HR leaders are not only aware of the legal issues, but also how to operationalize the new laws in the HR department, while also addressing the collective bargaining implications. In addition, session presenters will share current statewide trends related to legislation, staffing, and other important challenges that are on the horizon for HR leaders.

Speakers

Leilani Aguinaldo

Director, Governmental Relations, School Services of California

Leilani Aguinaldo, Director, Governmental Relations, brings more than 20 years of diverse public policy experience to SSC. Prior to joining SSC, Leilani was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to serve as the Director of Policy and Legislation at the State Board of Education. Leilani... Read More →

Danyel Conolley

Associate Vice President, School Services of California

Danyel Conolley, Associate Vice President, has many years of school district administrative experience in the areas of human resources management and labor relations. Danyel has extensive experience in all aspects of school district operations and brings expertise in employee recruitment... Read More →

Wednesday September 25, 2024 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Grand Peninsula EF

Concurrent Session

1:30pm PDT

To Impasse … And Beyond

Wednesday September 25, 2024 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Grand Peninsula EF

Nobody wants to go to impasse and many districts never do, but with tough negotiations ahead, it’s best to be prepared. These experienced presenters will share the legal requirements for considering, preparing, and participating in declaring an impasse, as well as share lessons learned for how to get through impasse and the eventual resolution of negotiations.

Speakers

Namita Brown

Partner, F3 Law

Namita S. Brown is a partner in F3’s Oakland office and serves as the firm’s Managing Partner, providing oversight and direction for the firm’s operations. A seasoned negotiator, Namita’s collective bargaining expertise makes her a popular counselor and speaker on negotiations... Read More →

Peter Fagen

Partner, F3 Law

Peter K. Fagen is a founding partner and serves clients from both the Los Angeles and San Diego area offices. A proven lawyer, leader, and administrator, Peter has extensive experience in the areas of board/superintendent relations, labor, personnel, students, business, voting rights... Read More →

John Gray

President and CEO, School Services of California

John Gray, President and CEO, contributes tremendous practical experience to the management consulting team and serves the clients of School Services of California Inc. (SSC) by conducting fiscal health analyses, providing collective bargaining assistance, preparing multiyear financial... Read More →

Wednesday September 25, 2024 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Grand Peninsula EF

Concurrent Session

3:15pm PDT

A Strategic Staffing Solution for Long-Term Workforce Stability: Educator Residency & Apprenticeship Programs

Wednesday September 25, 2024 3:15pm - 4:45pm PDT

Grand Peninsula EF

In this presentation, participants will recognize and discuss their current staffing (substitutes, paraeducators, & teachers) shortages, the potential effects on student academic achievement and budgetary considerations. Through an analysis of teacher preparation pathways, presenters will highlight the benefits and impacts of teacher residency programs and how the strategy can provide an affordable strategic staffing model that can be sustained with or without grant funding.

Speakers

Conni Campbell

Coordinator, Teacher Effectiveness and Preparation, San Diego County Office of Education, Statewide Residency Technical Assistance

Tierra Crothers, Ed.D

Director, School of Education, Sacramento County Office of Education

Dr. Tierra Crothers serves as Director of Sacramento County Office of Education’s School of Education, guiding the work of teacher credentialing programs. Before joining SCOE, Dr. Crothers served as a classroom teacher, vice principal, principal, district-level director, and adjunct... Read More →

Wednesday September 25, 2024 3:15pm - 4:45pm PDT
Grand Peninsula EF

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

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

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

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

9:30am PDT

The Art and Science to Implementing Paid Administrative Leave

Friday September 27, 2024 9:30am - 11:00am PDT

Grand Peninsula EF

AALRR

Friday September 27, 2024 9:30am - 11:00am PDT
Grand Peninsula EF

Concurrent Session