The California Council of School Attorneys (CCSA) is a nonprofit professional organization. Membership is comprised of attorneys who represent school districts in California. It is affiliated with the California School Boards Association. CCSA commenced in 1981 and continues to provide quality service to the education community. Its members are also members of the National Association of School Attorneys, affiliated with the National School Boards Association (NSBA).
The purpose of the organization is:
- to identify the current legal problems of concern to those who advise school boards, to disseminate legal information and analyses to interested parties and to promote the exchange of legal information and analysis among the education community;
- to provide a state forum for consideration of the practical and professional problems faced by school attorneys incident to their provision of legal counsel, advice, and representation to school boards; and
- to promote a closer relationship and better understanding between school attorneys, and their client school board members and administrators.
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Resources
State Board of Education
The State Board of Education met March 12-14, 2008. The board discussed corrective actions for the 97 school districts that are in corrective action pursuant to the No Child Left Behind Act (see item #21). In addition, the board initiated rulemaking on several topics, including, highly qualified teachers (see item #8) and school nutrition food and beverages (see item # 13). The SBE’s meeting agenda can be found here.
Legislature
February 22 was the last day for bills to be introduced for this year’s legislative session. The legislature will be on spring recess from March 13-24, 2008. Some items of interest include:
AB 2717 which would amend Education Code 56505 and would shift the burden of proof in all due process hearings to the local education agency, regardless of which party initiated the action. This proposal is contrary to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Schaffer v. Weast which assigned the burden of proof to the party that initiated the action.
SB 1732 amends the Brown Act using a series of communications of any kind, directly or through intermediaries, to discuss, deliberate, or take action on any item of business that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body. It also would state the Legislature’s declaration that it disapproves the holding of the court in the Wolfe v. City of Fremont above to the extent it construes the prohibition on serial meetings.
Guidelines for lobbying
CSBA is engaging in an intensive lobbying regarding the proposed budget cuts. As part of our efforts, we have sent school boards a sample governing board resolution, sample talking points, and sample letters to legislators and letters to the editor. The Education Legal Alliance also prepared sample guidelines outlining acceptable lobbying activity and the use of public funds. This document can be found here.
Office of Administrative Hearings Special Advisory Committee Meetings
April 15, 2008 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Holiday Inn, Santa Ana
Orange County Airport
2726 South Grand Avenue
Santa Ana
April 29, 2008 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
DGS Ziggurat Building
First Floor Auditorium
707 Third Street
West Sacramento