AdvocacyPublic, legislative and legal advocacy

CSBA California Schools Magazine: Legal Insights (published quarterly)

• Winter 2022 - AB 361 and board meetings: Whether virtual or in person, how do boards hold and manage their meetings?
• Fall 2022 - Stepping by things decided
• Summer 2022 - Addressing disruptive behavior at board meetings and beyond
• Spring 2022 - Hear that? Your local community needs you
• Winter 2022 - AB 361 and board meetings
• Fall 2021 - U.S. Supreme Court affirms school violated student’s First Amendment rights
• Summer 2021 - “Meeting” under the Brown Act
• Spring 2021 - California’s labor relations laws need flexibility during the state of emergency
• Winter 2020 - LEAs need relief from special education lawsuits
• Fall 2020 - Limiting LEA liability during the pandemic
• Summer 2020 - What does it mean to provide FAPE during the COVID-19 pandemic? 
• Spring 2020 - FERPA and virtual learning during COVID-19
• Winter 2019 - Legal Insights: Assembly Bill 218
• Fall 2019 - Legal Insights:The role of the school board's attorney
• Summer 2019 - The changing tide of the California Public Records Act and the personnel exemption
• Spring 2019 - Recent developments relating to the California Voting Rights Act 
• Winter 2018 - Protecting existing school funding while fighting for Full and Fair Funding 
• Fall 2018 - Janus v. AFSCME and new California Legislation
• Summer 2018 - Student Expression and the First Amendment
• Spring 2018 - Protecting students from school employee predatory behavior
• Winter 2017 - Adequate funding for California’s schools
• Fall 2017 - U.S. Supreme Court’s 2016–17 Term - Rulings that impact California Education
• Summer 2017 - IDEA, IEPs, FAPE and the courts - Implications for school districts in an era of changing standards
• Spring 2017 - The Changing of the Guard - A New Administration
• Winter 2016 - Charter Schools - Good governance practices and lack of transparency a subject of dispute
• Fall 2016 - Chartering a path through California's increasingly complex fiscal landscape
• Summer 2016 - Finding meaning in California's constitutional guarantee of education and a way to close the opportunity gap
• Spring 2016 - California's substantially underfunded public educations system (Robles-Wong v. California)
• Winter 2015 - On the hot seat - teacher effectiveness and agency fees
• Fall 2015 - Despite being the eighth largest global economy, California funding of public educations comes up short
• Summer 2015 - Davis v. Fresno USD will restrict the use of lease-leaseback facility arrangements
• Spring 2015 - How to hire your new superintendent
• Winter 2014 - CSBA advises governing boards 'to be careful out there' when adhering to the Brown Act and the Political Reform Act

CSBA California School News (published monthly)

• November 2022 - Remote participation in meetings by board members
• October 2022 - LEA use of gender-neutral language
• September 2022 - Federal district court rules in favor of district in FCA v. San Jose Unified School District
• August 2022 - Supreme Court education-related rulings
• July 2022 - Requirements when materials are provided less than 72 hours prior to a regular meeting
• June 2022 - Educating students with IEPs during the COVID-19 pandemic continues to create challenges
• May 2022 - A tale of two lawsuits: How different judges saw school district vaccine mandates
• April 2022 - Student vaccine rollout
• March 2022 - Executive orders and county health orders continue to impact LEAs in 2022
• February 2022 - March 15 layoff notices: What boards should know
• February 2022 - Federal court reviews California’s independent study program, access for students with disabilities
• January 2022 - New laws in 2022
• October 2021 - U.S. Supreme Court to rule on case regarding censure of elected board members
• September 2021 - U.S. Department of Education clarifies Title IX enforcement
• August 2021 - Superior court denies preliminary injunction in Cayla J. v. State of California
• July 2021 - CSBA files objection to Proposition 98 certification
• June 2021 - Charter school network’s criminal misuse of funds addressed in new legislation
• May 2021 - U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether schools may discipline students for off-campus speech
• April 2021 - What will governing board meetings look like after the pandemic?
• February 2021 - COVID-19 vaccines for students
• January 2021 - New Cal/OSHA emergency COVID-19 regulations create additional requirements
• November 2020 - Litigation and school districts: Providing FAPE amid the COVID-19 pandemic
• October 2020 - Boards can receive updates about the COVID-19 pandemic without violating the Brown Act
• September 2020 - CSBA tackles tough questions in legal webinar series
• September 2020 - The 2020 Census and the immigration debate
• July 2020 - Supreme Court clarifies when public agencies can recover CPRA costs
• June 2020 - New Title IX sexual harassment regulations - what to watch for
• May 2020 - Court of Appeals affirms requirement to exhaust IDEA administrative remedies
• April 2020 - Non-agenda items: What boards can do within 72 hours of a regular meeting
• March 2020 - Public schools and parents' free speech rights
• February 2020 - Public comment at board meetings: What board members need to know
• January 2020 - New laws affecting California's school districts
• November 2019 - Ninth Circuit Court clarifies impact of settlement of due process, access to courts
• October 2019 - Changes to board member terms of office and/or organizational meeting per AB 2449
• September 2019 - Board self-evaluation and the Brown Act
• August 2019 - Board members, social media and the First Amendment
• July 2019 - CSBA's Education Legal Alliance restores California public school funds to state budget
• July 2019 - California Attorney General's Dear Colleague letter on school discipline and discrimination 
• June 2019 - The Brown Act: Frequently asked questions 
• May 2019 - The limited impact but substantial importance of Cal Fire v. CalPERS
• April 2019 - AB 2826 changes to interdistrict transfers: What you need to know
• March 2019 - The Brown Act: Frequently asked questions
• February 2019 - AG advisory creates new considerations for charter schools 
• January 2019 - A look at new laws impacting California schools 
• November 2018 - California bans for-profit charter schools after passage of AB 406
• September 2018 - Education Legal Alliance sues state for manipulation of school funds 
• August 2018 - Life after Janus 
• July 2018 - A Post-Janus world: Analyzing the Janus v. AFSCME decision
• July 2018 - Undocumented students have legal right to public education
• June 2018 - Fight for Full and Fair Funding takes center stage at Delegate Assembly
• June 2018 - Legislative update: CSBA adds eighth co-sponsored bill
• May 2018 - Supreme Court to determine constitutionality of union fees
• March 2018 - Can a school discipline students for an off-campus social media post?
• February 2018 - The DACA repeal and its impact on schools
• February 2018 - New laws regarding student board members; hiring practice
• November 2017 - New legislation on immigration status
• September 2017 - Ninth Circuit rules on LCFF’s effect on board sovereign immunity
• August 2017 - California Voting Rights Act and at-large elections
• July 2017 - Public agency legal invoices are largely exempt from disclosure under the CPRA
• June 2017 - Summer Hill Winchester v. Campbell USD: Assessing fees for new housing developments in school districts
• May 2017 - CSBA resources available to aid foster youth advocacy efforts
• April 2017 - New report: Ensuring adequacy and high-quality education
• April 2017 - Superintendent contract available to help with hiring
• March 2017 - Landmark special education case decided by U.S. Supreme Court
• February 2017 - Creating a 'safe haven' for students in uncertain times
• January 2017 - After school Satan clubs: for districts the devil is in the details
• November 2016 - Major victory for CSBA in education funding case
• October 2016 - Collective bargaining could be impacted by court case
• September 2016 - California Supreme Court rules on two high profile cases
• August 2016 - Supreme Court stay in transgender student case unlikely to affect Calif. districts
• July 2016 - Teachers generally not entitled to unemployment benefits during the summer, court determines
• June 2016 - CSBA guidance on transgender students' rights updated: Reflects recent federal directive
• May 2016 - CSBA's ELA petitions State Supreme Court in school funding case
• April 2016 - New lease-leasback rule changes landscape for districts' facilities bidding process
• March 2016 - Judge clarifies student privacy protections in Morgan Hill lawsuit
• February 2016 - Court of Appeals hears oral arguments in Robles-Wong v. State of California
• January 2016 - CSBA report finds California schools face competitive disadvantage
• November 2015 - CSBA sues state of California over unconstitutional manipulation of Proposition 98
• October 2015 - CSBA's ELA sues state of California, supports public schools
• July 2015 - ELA Adequacy Committee holds second meeting
• June 2015 - Legal update episode 5 available now
• April 2015 - Webcast discusses superintendent hiring strategies

CSBA Blog

• December 2022 - New law amends Brown Act requirements regarding public inspections of records
• November 2022 - Legal: Board members now subject to “pay-to-play” campaign contribution restrictions (UPDATED)
• November 2022 - Attorney General issues opinion regarding school board vacancies
• October 2022 - CSBA-sponsored bills AB 2584 and SB 1061 provide election reforms that will benefit LEAs
• October 2022 - Law allowing remote teleconferenced meetings through 2026 signed by Governor
• September 2022 - Appeals court issues preliminary injunction in FCA v. San Jose Unified School District
• August 2022 - Brown Act amendment allows for removal of “disruptive” individuals
• August 2022 - SB 906 on homicide threats creates obligations for board members who regularly interact with students in grades 6-12
• August 2022 - CDC updates to K-12 Guidance are in line with CDPH Guidance
• August 2022 - California Supreme Court holds that Unruh Civil Rights Act does not apply to public school districts
• July 2022 - Independent Study provisions updated in budget trailer bill
• July 2022 - CDPH issues new K-12 COVID-19 guidance
• June 2022 - Attorney General opinion clarifies closed session attendance under the Brown Act
• June 2022 - Supreme Court rules in favor of coach in case regarding prayer on school grounds
• May 2022 - Supreme Court decision limits recovery for emotional distress in Title VI and Title IX discrimination claims
• February 2022 - California school board members don’t have surety bonds: a new CPRA request explained
• January 2022 - March 15 layoff notices: What boards should know
• November 2021 - Judge dismisses lawsuit challenging school mask mandate
• October 2021 - Pros and cons of Project Labor Agreements
• September 2021 - Q&A: An in-depth look at AB 361 and virtual board meetings
• September 2021 - Clarity on piggyback contracting
• August 2021 - Commission on State Mandates finalizes decision completing CSBA’s legal challenge to protect school funding and autonomy
• August 2021 - Ninth Circuit upholds closure of public schools during pandemic, but finds state infringed on rights of private school students
• July 2021 - Budget trailer bill creates new programs and requirements
• July 2021 - Federal judge blocks new DACA applicants
• July 2021 - Independent study provisions for the 2021–22 school year
• June 2021 - Superior court denies preliminary injunction in Cayla J. v. State of California
• June 2021 - CSBA files objection to Proposition 98 certification due to miscalculation of ERAF
• April 2021 - Judge certifies class-action status in Reyes v. State of California
• April 2021 - Ninth Circuit holds in favor of school district in First Amendment case
• April 2021 - Authorizing school districts reach repayment settlement in charter school fraud case
• January 2021 - Litigation and school districts: Providing FAPE amid the COVID-19 pandemic
• January 2021 - Court declines to invalidate FPPC regulations, but governing boards gain some protection in CSAC and CSBA v. FPPC
• December 2020 - Ninth Circuit reinstates bar on revised public charge rule for California and several other states
• December 2020 - Appellate court finds plaintiff may still recover for violation of public bidding requirements after completion of the school construction contract
• September 2020 - Federal judge strikes down Ed Dept. order on CARES funds and private schools
• September 2020 - Appellate Court rules Santa Monica's at-large election method did not violate the CVRA
• August 2020 - Judge blocks U.S. Department of Education from enforcing CARES Act private school funding rule
• August 2020 - Federal court denies request to stop Title IX regulations
• August 2020 - Court rules in favor of eliminating pension "spiking" 
• July 2020 - CSBA legal webinar explains latest on distance learning, layoffs, liability
• July 2020 - Ninth Circuit upholds existing FAPE rules in A.W. v. Tehachapi Unified School District
• May 2020 - CSBA webinar provides guidance on board meetings and Brown Act waivers during stay-at-home order
• April 2020 - Conducting remote board meetings: What board members should know
• April 2020 - Changes to special education processes announced by the Office of Administrative Hearings
• April 2020 - Court of Appeals affirms requirement to exhaust IDEA administrative remedies in A.L. v. Clovis Unified School District
• April 2020 - Boards may meet without physical meeting space for the public, and may receive updates on COVID-19 from officials
• March 2020 - FERPA and virtual learning during COVID-19
• March 2020 - COVID-19, board meetings and Brown Act requirements
• March 2020 - New law and changes to updating student records 
• February 2020 - Settlement reached in literacy lawsuit against California
• February 2020 - California Supreme Court finds some district employees eligible for unemployment benefits during summer term 
• February 2020 - March 15 layoff notices: What boards should know
• August 2019 - E-cigarette maker Juul allegedly still marketing to teens
• July 2019 - CSBA's Education Legal Alliance restores California public school funds to the state budget
• May 2019 - The limited impact but substantial importance of Cal Fire v. CalPERS
• April 2019 - New guide takes a deep look at protecting student data privacy
• January 2019 - AG advisory creates new considerations for charter school governance and operations. 
• December 2018 - Federal Commission releases school safety report; sparks debate about student discipline 
• December 2018 - New faces and new bills as 2019-20 legislative session begins
• November 2018 - New Laws for California Schools: Assembly Bill 2449
• November 2018 - New Laws for California Schools: Assembly Bill 406
• October 2018 - New Laws for California Schools: Assembly Bill 2009
• July 2018 - The Janus Decision and Implications for School Leaders