2026 ACSA Personnel Institute

Whether certificated or classified, misidentifying your employees can have significant implications for school employers. Is this employee temporary, probationary, or permanent or something else? What does this mean in the land of layoffs, employee transfer rights, promotional opportunities, evaluation, discipline, even compensation? Attendees will learn the key factors that determine employee status, review organizational best practices and common classification pitfalls, and explore real-world examples involving job duties, credentials, assignments, and bargaining unit implications.

Key takeaways:
- Learn how to properly identify certificated and classified employee statuses and understand the legal and operational implications tied to each classification.
- Recognize common classification mistakes involving assignments, credentials, compensation, and bargaining unit placement that can expose districts to risk.
- Gain practical strategies and best practices for managing employee classifications consistently across hiring, transfers, evaluations, discipline, and layoffs.

This session provides an overview of the requirements of the School Employee Misconduct and Child Abuse Prevention Act (SB 848). Participants will examine common reporting challenges, including inconsistencies in documentation, legal ambiguity, and the risk of internal and external communication breakdowns between school sites and districts. The session will also highlight best practices for ensuring reports are timely, complete, and aligned with district expectations, particularly in contexts involving personnel actions and investigations.

Key Takeaways:
• Understanding how SB 848 supports compliant and defensible personnel processes, and its impact on HR documentation
• Strategies for improving accuracy, consistency, and documentation standards across departments and sites
• Practical tools to strengthen SB 848 reporting and ensure consistency and legal compliance
(including AB 2534/SB 848 Compliance) - needs to add these as well

Human Resources professionals play a critical role in supporting Title IX compliance while balancing employee relations, investigations, and institutional responsibilities. This session provides a practical overview of the HR issues that arise under Title IX, including responding to reports of sex discrimination and harassment, coordinating with the Title IX Coordinator, maintaining appropriate documentation, managing employee concerns, and navigating confidentiality. Attendees will also receive updates on recent legal developments and practical strategies to help ensure compliance while fostering a safe and equitable educational environment.

A strike can be one of the most challenging events a school district will face. Drawing from recent firsthand experience assisting a district through a strike, this session provides practical guidance on preparing before negotiations reach an impasse. Participants will learn how to develop a strike readiness plan, navigate legal obligations, communicate effectively with employees, students, families, and the community, and coordinate district operations before, during, and after a strike. Leave with practical strategies and lessons learned to help your district respond confidently while minimizing disruption.