Legal Symposium for Experienced Board Members
San Diego Convention Center | Wednesday, November 30
Registration Information
Registration through November 10: $195
November 11 through on-site registration: $205
Registration opens at 7:00 a.m.
Program: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
(fee includes materials, lunch and refreshments)
Program Information
The Legal Symposium for Experienced Board Members is truly a worthwhile investment in your professional development. During this pre-conference session, experts in education law will offer their legal perspective on the critical and complex issues boards often face.
9:00 am - 10:20 am
From Findings to Facilities: The High Stakes Nuances of Analyzing the Charter School Petition
This workshop will examine how case law and State Board of Education regulations have interpreted the statutory standards for granting charter petitions. Attendees will receive practical recommendations on managing the petition review process to promote a high standard for pupil achievement and financial stability in charter petitions that are granted, and to provide well-documented reasons for petitions that are denied.
Presenters: Steven Chidester and Margaret Chidester, Law Offices of Margaret A. Chidester & Associates; and Melanie Petersen, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP
10:30 am - 11:50 am
At-Large Voting: Will Your Elections Change?
Under the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA), public boards face law suits from claims that districts' current at-large voting system circumvent appropriate board representation by members of a protected class/minorities. A case analysis is used to examine changing district voting systems from at-large to trustee areas to avoid costly litigation. At the workshop's conclusion, attendees will have a working knowledge of the CVRA and how its legal implications/requirements impact school districts, as well as tips for assessing potential violation of the CVRA and legal analysis and political strategies for board members to take back to their districts.
Presenters: Peter Fagen and Tiffany Santos, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP
Noon - 1:15 pm
Lunch
1:15 - 2:30 pm
How to Hire a Superintendent
Recognizing the long-term impact that a superintendent’s contract will have on a district’s success is often difficult. Crafting contracts that allow the board to employ whomever it feels will best suits the needs of the district and lead to its success is a complicated matter. This workshop will address board policy matter related to the superintendent search, provide a framework in which to consider the intricacies of contract preparation and discuss how to evaluate contract terms including length of the contact, renewal, compensation and termination clauses.
Presenters: Mike Smith, Lozano Smith and Warren Kinsler, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo
2:40 – 4:00 pm
School Board Ethics
This workshop is geared toward experienced board members and will discuss complex, real world ethical challenges. Topics include: acting fairly, divided loyalties, misunderstandings about Brown Act obligations, appearances of impropriety, balancing individual board member's First Amendment rights with the fiduciary duty to the district, personality conflicts between board member(s) and/or the CEO, and rogue board behavior. Come to this workshop to get insight on how to avoid abuses of power and how to act in service to the district and the public.
Presenters: Laura Schulkind, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore; Chris Keeler and Brian Bock, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP