2026 ACSA Personnel Institute: Full Schedule

It takes more than being an expert on Ed. Code to reduce the potential for negative impact on an organization during a layoff. Soft skills, emotional intelligence, and empathy will assist in weathering the storm successfully.

Speakers

Corey James

ESS Advisor, AALRR

Corey James has more than 37 years of experience in K-12 education, including 12 years as assistant superintendent for human resources. In addition to his assistant superintendent experience, Corey has been a director for Educational Services, elementary and middle school principal... Read More →

Wednesday September 16, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Regency A

Concurrent Session

8:30am PDT

BWS - Teaching Controversial Issues: Laws and Best Practices on Classroom Instruction

Wednesday September 16, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT

Theater

The content and delivery of classroom instruction is not outside the jurisdiction of human resources. Statutes and LEA policies in some instances extend to the content of instruction, and teaching controversial issues. In this politically volatile age, more school districts are taking measures to monitor and enforce rules and regulations on the actual content of instruction. This session will...
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Speakers

John Yeh

Partner, Burke, Williams & Sorensen

John Yeh has been practicing law in California since 1991. A California public school product and parent, and UC/CSU parent, he specializes in representing and advising school districts in charter school oversight, labor and employment, and litigation. He also has experience in... Read More →

Wednesday September 16, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Theater

Concurrent Session

8:30am PDT

HR Essentials: Know This Before You Need it

Wednesday September 16, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT

Regency B

Your first year in HR leadership comes with a steep learning curve, and plenty of situations where no handbook, workshop, or preparation program quite prepares you for. This fast-paced session brings together the essential things every HR leader needs to know, from the mechanics of bargaining, employee classification, to navigating important legal processes and understanding where to turn when you...
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Speakers

Danyel Conolley

Associate Vice President, School Services of California

Sarah Nieman

Director, Management Consulting Services, School Services of California

Wednesday September 16, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Regency B

Concurrent Session

8:30am PDT

Supporting non-citizen workers with vulnerable immigration status

Wednesday September 16, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT

Saddleback

Many K-12 educators and staff in California are authorized to work through a temporary immigration status that can be easily disrupted. During the current administration, we have seen interruptions in work authorization for Parolees, TPS and DACA recipients, and individuals with pending long-term applications. This panel of immigration lawyers will provide updates on the future of these statuses...
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Speakers

Megan Kludt

Senior Attorney, Cornell Law School, Path2Papers Project

Megan is a founding member and senior attorney at the Path2Papers project at Cornell Law School. She has practiced immigration law since 2006. In 2024-2025 she served as an appellate immigration judge at the Board of Immigration Appeals. Prior to her appointment, she was a private... Read More →

Raju Patel

Staff Attorney, Path2Papers

Raju is based out of Atlanta and has been practicing immigration law since 2004. For 20 years, she worked for a boutique law firm representing individuals and companies in all aspects of immigration law. She has expertise in family-based and employment-based non-immigrant visas, immigrant... Read More →

Tess Feldman

Wednesday September 16, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Saddleback

Concurrent Session

Company Preparing for immigration policy changes affecting employees
Audience Beginner

10:15am PDT

AALRR - Egregious Misconduct (AB 2534 and SB 848): What California Public Schools Must Know

Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am PDT

Saddleback

Assembly Bill 2534 (2024) and Senate Bill 848 (2025) significantly expanded hiring and reporting requirements regarding “egregious misconduct” for California public schools. Join us for a focused discussed designed specifically for California public schools. We will break down the definition of “egregious misconduct,” discuss the egregious misconduct disclosure and employment verification...
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Speakers

Todd Robbins

Partner, AALRR

Emaleigh Valdez

Senior Associate, AALRR

Emaleigh Valdez represents California school districts and county offices of education in a variety of labor and employment and general education matters. Her areas of expertise include leaves of absence, reasonable accommodation of employee disabilities, investigations, employee... Read More →

Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Saddleback

Concurrent Session

10:15am PDT

DWK - Staying Legal

Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am PDT

Theater

Staying Legal is fast-paced DWK-attorney led professional development focused on human resources and labor relations legal issues. Dannis, Pearl and Nakamura are 100% focused on practical lessons about education, labor and employment law to help you manage and maintain high-functioning human resources (HR) and labor relations departments for your district or county office. We don’t lecture or...
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Speakers

Jon Pearl

Attorney at Law, Dannis Woliver Kelley

Jonathan A. Pearl is the Managing Shareholder of DWK’s San Diego office and a member of the Labor, Employment and Personnel (LEAP), Board Ethics, Transparency and Accountability, and Students and Special Education Practice Groups.

Marie A. Nakamura

Attorney at Law, Dannis Woliver Kelley

Marie A. Nakamura is the Managing Shareholder of the Sacramento Office. She represents school districts and county offices of education in employment and labor law, school board governance, as well as general education law. Marie has represented districts in multiple unfair labor... Read More →

Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Theater

Concurrent Session

Company Staying Legal
Audience Intermediate

10:15am PDT

F3 - Rising Complaints, Real Solutions: Navigating Employee Misconduct and Workplace Concerns

Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am PDT

Regency B

As complaints about employees continue to rise in schools and workplaces, district leaders face increasing pressure to respond promptly, fairly, and consistently while minimizing legal and operational risk. This session will explore practical strategies for managing complaints involving employee misconduct, workplace conflict, professionalism, harassment, discrimination, and performance concerns....
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Speakers

L. Carlos Villegas

Partner, F3 Law

Carlos Villegas advises school districts across Southern California on labor and employment issues, including collective bargaining, employee discipline, investigations, and board governance. He represents districts before PERB, state and federal agencies, and in Superior Court. Carlos... Read More →

Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Regency B

Concurrent Session

Company Complaints and Investigations
Audience Intermediate

10:15am PDT

Latest from Sacramento – Government Relations Update

Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am PDT

Regency A

Learn about the latest from the State Capitol as the Governor wraps his final year in office with action on hundreds of bills while voters consider statewide ballot measures with impacts to school communities. Advocates will share their insights and take your questions on statutory and regulatory updates impacting the bargaining table.

Speakers

Caitlin Jung

Legislative Counsel, Capitol Advisors Group

Dorothy Johnson

ACSA Legislative Advocate / ACSA Council of Human Resources Leaders and Retired Leaders Council, ACSA

Dorothy Johnson serves as Legislative Advocate on the State ACSA Governmental Relations team and is lead on a policy portfolio that includes labor relations, governance, state pension systems, facilities, and technology. She also serves as subject matter expert to the ACSA Council... Read More →

Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Regency A

Concurrent Session

12:00pm PDT

Ray Currey Awards Luncheon with Keynote Danyel Conolley

Wednesday September 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Regency CDE

Speakers

Danyel Conolley

Associate Vice President, School Services of California

Wednesday September 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Regency CDE

Meal Function

2:00pm PDT

Building and Maintaining a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Workforce

Wednesday September 16, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

Saddleback

This workshop helps participants develop practical activities and strategies to build and sustain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. It emphasizes creating an environment grounded in trust, open communication, and positive cross-departmental relationships; recognizing and respecting each team member’s contributions; and reliably following through on commitments. The workshop also...
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Speakers

Sheri Loewenstein

SEAC Consultant/Retired Superintendent/HR Administrator

Sheri Loewenstein has been involved in public education for 50 years. She has served as a teacher, elementary, middle, high school and special education administrator, assistant superintendent, Human Resources and a superintendent in Westminster and Cypress school districts.

Ms. Loewenstein currently works as a consultant with School Employers Association of California, (SEAC), providing coaching for administrators at all levels, training in Interest Based Bargaining, mediation, facilitating communication meetings with union and district leadership, and... Read More →

Debby Collins

Consultant

Dr. Debby Collins has been involved in public education since 1977 when she started her teaching career in Irvine Unified School District as a kindergarten teacher. From 1977 to 1986, she taught all grade levels, from K to 6 th. During those years, she served her fellow teachers as... Read More →

Wednesday September 16, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Saddleback

Concurrent Session

Company Workforce - DEI
Audience Beginner

2:00pm PDT

Cultivating a Culture of Service

Wednesday September 16, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

Regency A

This session equips HR leaders with practical tools and strategies they can bring back to their teams to strengthen communication, navigate challenging interactions, and create more positive, solution-focused experiences for employees. Presenters will explore ways to model service-minded leadership, coach their teams, and build shared expectations around what exceptional HR service looks and feels...
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Speakers

Danyel Conolley

Associate Vice President, School Services of California

Sarah Nieman

Director, Management Consulting Services, School Services of California

Wednesday September 16, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Regency A

Concurrent Session

2:00pm PDT

F3 -The Great Absence: Managing Employee Leaves

Wednesday September 16, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

Regency B

Between chronic absenteeism, expanding leave laws, staffing shortages, substitute vacancies, and evolving employee expectations, Human Resources professionals are asking themselves a very real question: does anyone actually come to work anymore? This engaging and relatable session takes a practical—and honest—look at the growing complexities of employee leave administration in public...
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Speakers

Lisa Mori

Partner, F3 Law

Elizabeth “Lisa” Mori is a veteran labor attorney with over 30 years of experience advising school districts on bargaining, discipline, evaluations, layoffs, and employee matters. As a chief negotiator, she excels in both traditional and interest-based bargaining. Co-chair of... Read More →

Wednesday September 16, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Regency B

Concurrent Session

Company LEAVES and Attendance
Audience Intermediate

2:00pm PDT

LS - Leaves 101: An Introductory Roadmap for HR Administrators

Wednesday September 16, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

Theater

Navigating employee leaves can be complex—especially in the education sector, where multiple leave entitlements intersect. This session will provide HR professionals with a clear overview of the most commonly used types of leave—sick, industrial accident, differential or extended, bereavement, association business-- and recent changes in the law related to these leaves. Participants will gain...
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Speakers

Chelsea Olson Murphy

Attorney, Partner, Lozano Smith

Overview
Chelsea Olson Murphy is a Partner at Lozano Smith. Her practice focuses on providing counsel to school districts and county offices of education in the areas of governance and labor and employment.

Experience
Specifically, Ms. Olson Murphy advises school districts and county offices of education on a variety of legal matters including employee discipline and dismissal, benefits, leaves of absence and the interactive process, contract administration, conflicts of interest, the Brown Act... Read More →

Wednesday September 16, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Theater

Concurrent Session

Company LEAVES and Attendance
Audience Intermediate

3:45pm PDT

AALRR - Employee Absenteeism: Managing Attendance Issues for Supervisors and Managers

Wednesday September 16, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

Regency B

Employee absenteeism presents ongoing challenges for supervisors and managers, impacting operations, morale, and service delivery. This session provides practical guidance on managing attendance issues within the legal and contractual framework applicable to employees. Participants will learn strategies for identifying problematic attendance patterns, conducting effective and compliant...
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Speakers

Jacquelyn Takeda Morenz

Associate, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

Jacquelyn Morenz represents California school districts and county offices of education in a variety of labor and employment and general education matters, including employee disciplinary actions, leaves of absence, reasonable accommodation of employee disabilities, employment discrimination... Read More →

Marci Williams

Senior Associate, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

Marci Williams represents public school districts, community college districts, and county offices of education in all areas of employment law with expertise in compliance with issues impacting the Human Resources Office, including leave requirements, disability, accommodations, investigations... Read More →

Sarah Daniels

Associate | Pasadena, AALRR

Sarah Daniels represents Southern California school districts and educational institutions in a variety of general education and labor and employment matters. Her areas of expertise include leaves of absence, reasonable accommodation of employee disabilities, employee discipline... Read More →

Wednesday September 16, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
Regency B

Concurrent Session

3:45pm PDT

F3 - Behind the Bargain: What the SFUSD Strike Reveals About Negotiation Culture

Wednesday September 16, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

Saddleback

Negotiations are about more than proposals and counterproposals, they are deeply shaped by relationships, communication, and organizational culture. In this engaging session, legal and district leadership perspectives come together to explore how culture and climate influence the negotiation process. Using the recent San Francisco Unified School District strike as a real-world case study,...
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Speakers

Namita Brown

Partner, F3 Law

Namita Brown negotiates collective bargaining agreements for school districts using both traditional and interest-based approaches to deliver durable, effective outcomes. She advises boards on legal, policy, and public-facing challenges, aligning governance with strategic goals. As... Read More →

Wednesday September 16, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
Saddleback

Concurrent Session

Level Advanced

3:45pm PDT

Fostering Culture and Growth: A Personnel Blueprint for New Administrators

Wednesday September 16, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

Regency A

This presentation will provide information on how to develop and plan a year long professional development opportunity for all new administrators. It will provide ideas and suggestions for how to actively engage and involve new administrators in learning the "basics" of Personnel, diving into the bargaining contract and learning the important parts of the contract, share conflict management skills...
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Speakers

Kyley Ybarra

Asst Superintendent Personnel, Riverside USD

With 32 years of experience in public education, Kyley Ybarra is in her 11th year as Assistant Superintendent of Personnel, Leadership, and Development at Riverside Unified School District. A long-time leader within RUSD, her background spans roles as Director of Certificated Personnel... Read More →

Michelle Cortes

Director V Certificated Personnel, Riverside USD

I have been in education for 33 years. I was an elementary administrator and have been in Personnel for the past 12 years.

Wednesday September 16, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
Regency A

Concurrent Session

Company Onboarding & Orientation
Audience Beginner

3:45pm PDT

LS - Leaves 202: Beyond the Basics

Wednesday September 16, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

Theater

Building on foundational knowledge of employee leaves, this advanced session explores the nuanced and often challenging aspects of leave administration in the education setting. Designed for experienced HR professionals, this workshop will examine key laws related to pregnancy, parental/bonding leave, family care leave, and re-employment rights and how these leaves interact. Attendees will utilize...
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Speakers

Chelsea Olson Murphy

Attorney, Partner, Lozano Smith

Wednesday September 16, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
Theater

Concurrent Session

Company LEAVES and Attendance
Audience Advanced

5:30pm PDT

Networking Reception with School Services of California

Wednesday September 16, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT

The Lawn

Wednesday September 16, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
The Lawn

6:15am PDT

Morning Yoga - Sponsored by Informed K12

Thursday September 17, 2026 6:15am - 7:00am PDT

The Lawn

Exhibitors

Informed K12

Regional

Thursday September 17, 2026 6:15am - 7:00am PDT
The Lawn

7:00am PDT

Continental Breakfast

Thursday September 17, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am PDT

Regency Foyer

Thursday September 17, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am PDT
Regency Foyer

Meal Function

7:00am PDT

Registration & Information

Thursday September 17, 2026 7:00am - 3:00pm PDT

Regency Foyer

Thursday September 17, 2026 7:00am - 3:00pm PDT
Regency Foyer

Registration & Information

8:00am PDT

General Session with Keynote Lindsey Fuller

Thursday September 17, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT

Regency CDE

Speakers

Lindsay Fuller

Executive Director, Teaching Well

A paradigm shifting leader and Restorative Practitioner, Lindsey is the embodiment of Angela Davis’ statement, “we must always attempt to lift as we climb.” Leading through genuine relationships and humor, Lindsey has an unmatched ability to see others’ innate gifts and reflect... Read More →

Thursday September 17, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Regency CDE

9:15am PDT

DWK - Best Practices on CalSTRS/CalPERS, Employment Agreements, CBAs and Related Brown Act Issues

Thursday September 17, 2026 9:15am - 10:45am PDT

Regency B

Changing laws and regulations have altered CalSTRS’ and CalPERS’ views on reportable compensation, salary schedules, and spiking. CalPERS and CalSTRS have strictly applied the law and regulations when reviewing contract language in employment agreements, collective bargaining agreements and salary schedules. This session will provide guidance on the requirements, offer tips and pointers, and...
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Speakers

Ellen Wu

Attorney at Law, Dannis Woliver Kelley

Ellen C. Wu is a Shareholder in the Long Beach and San Diego offices and is Chair of the firm’s Labor, Employment and Personnel Practice Group. Ellen has over ten years of experience in the area of labor and employment law, and she represents and advises school and community college... Read More →

Jenell Van Bindsbergen

Attorney at Law, Dannis Woliver Kelley

Jenell Van Bindsbergen is Of Counsel in the Fresno office and a member of the Labor, Employment and Personnel practice group. She has extensive experience with labor and employment matters related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, harassment, and... Read More →

Thursday September 17, 2026 9:15am - 10:45am PDT
Regency B

Concurrent Session

Company AB 1997 (STRS) Creditable compensation regulations / Classifications
Audience Intermediate

9:15am PDT

F3 - The Classification Playbook: Avoiding Costly Certificated and Classified Errors

Thursday September 17, 2026 9:15am - 10:45am PDT

Theater

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...
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Speakers

Jordan Bilbeisi

Partner, F3 Law

Jordan Bilbeisi is a partner at F3 Law and chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment practice group. He advises K-12 and community college districts on a wide range of employment issues, including labor relations, negotiations, investigations, employee discipline, classifications, and accommodat... Read More →

Thursday September 17, 2026 9:15am - 10:45am PDT
Theater

Concurrent Session

Company Personnel Commissions
Audience Intermediate

9:15am PDT

LS - Certificated Discipline: Documenting Employee Misconduct and Dismissals (Part One)

Thursday September 17, 2026 9:15am - 10:45am PDT

Regency A

This session equips school administrators with the knowledge and tools needed to legally and effectively document certificated employee misconduct. Participants will learn how to conduct personnel investigations, prepare meaningful performance evaluations, and implement progressive discipline in a manner that is fair, consistent, and defensible. The presentation will walk through best practices...
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Speakers

Gabriela Flowers

Attorney, Partner, Lozano Smith

OverviewGabriela D. Flowers is a Partner in Lozano Smith's Sacramento office and is co-chair of the firm's Labor andEmployment Practice Group. Ms. Flowers also specializes in the Student and Litigation aspects of education law.Ms. Flowers routinely assists clients through both Certificated... Read More →

Aislinn Kiyomi Roberts

Associate, Lozano Smith

Overview
Aislinn Kiyomi Roberts is an Associate in Lozano Smith’s San Luis Obispo office and co-chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group. Her legal practice is focused on the labor and employment, investigations, and governance aspects of public agency law.

Exper... Read More →

Thursday September 17, 2026 9:15am - 10:45am PDT
Regency A

Concurrent Session

Company Discipline, documentation, and employee misconduct
Audience Intermediate

11:00am PDT

"He put the desk where!?

Thursday September 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT

Saddleback

Join retired Superintendent/Chief of Human Resources, Dr. Rob Martinez, and Carrie Wells, Assistant Superintendent HR of Brentwood USD, as they shares some strategies and processes to prepare yourself for the times when employee misbehavior will occur. We will discuss ways to support your Administrators and Supervisors with evidence collection, capturing witness statements, and preparing for the...
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Speakers

Dr. Rob Martinez

Retired Superintendent/Chief Human Resources Officer, Retired / Antioch Unified School District

Dr. Robert A. Martinez retired as the Superintendent and Chief of Human Resources for the Antioch Unified School District. He previously served as Superintendent/CEO of Griffin Technology Academies, and the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. He was the Assistant Superintendent of... Read More →

Thursday September 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
Saddleback

Concurrent Session

Company Egregious misconduct
Audience Intermediate

11:00am PDT

AALRR - Trifecta: Negotiations, Layoffs, and Strike Preparation

Thursday September 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT

Saddleback

Being a SMART communicator pays huge dividends as districts navigate negotiations, prepare for certificated and classified layoffs, and face the possibility of a strike. Participants will learn how these three integral processes require a SMART communication framework; clarity regarding who is on the communication team and what the key issues are, preparing key messaging points in advance,...
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Speakers

Jodee Brentlinger

ESS Consultant

With over 35 years in public education, Jodee Brentlinger has held positions ranging from classroom teacher; elementary principal; Director, Teacher Development; Executive Director, Personnel Services; Assistant Superintendent, Personnel Services; Assistant Superintendent, Education... Read More →

Thursday September 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
Saddleback

Concurrent Session

11:00am PDT

BWS - Deciphering The Education Code: Translating Laws Into Sound Personnel Practices For Certificated And Classified Employees

Thursday September 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT

Regency B

It has been noted that “entry into the Education Code is painful” and “large parts of the Education Code are not meant to be understood” – and this was the California Court of Appeal speaking. This session will break down the otherwise indecipherable provisions of the Education Code as it relates to the fundamental rules of certificated and classified employment. Targeted for both...
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Speakers

John Yeh

Partner, Burke, Williams & Sorensen

Thursday September 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
Regency B

Concurrent Session

11:00am PDT

F3 - Classified Reporting: Compliance, Accuracy, and Effective Documentation under the School Employee Misconduct and Child Abuse Prevention Act (SB 848)

Thursday September 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT

Theater

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...
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Speakers

L. Carlos Villegas

Partner, F3 Law

Thursday September 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
Theater

Concurrent Session

Company Personnel Commissions
Audience Intermediate

11:00am PDT

LS - Certificated Discipline: Documenting Employee Misconduct and Dismissals (Part Two)

Thursday September 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT

Regency A

Building on Part One, this session provides a detailed roadmap of the certificated termination process from start to finish. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the statutory framework governing dismissal, including the filing of charges, Skelly rights, suspension procedures, and the formal hearing process before the Office of Administrative Hearings (“OAH”). The presentation will...
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Speakers

Gabriela Flowers

Attorney, Partner, Lozano Smith

Aislinn Kiyomi Roberts

Associate, Lozano Smith

Thursday September 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
Regency A

Concurrent Session

Company Discipline, documentation, and employee misconduct
Audience Advanced

12:45pm PDT

Networking Luncheon

Thursday September 17, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT

Regency CDE

Thursday September 17, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT
Regency CDE

2:00pm PDT

AALRR - Managing Title IX Issues: An HR Perspective

Thursday September 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

Theater

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...
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Speakers

Mellissa Gallegos

Partner, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

Mellissa Gallegos represents and advises California school districts, community college districts, and county offices of education in all education and employment law matters, including bargaining, employee evaluation, discipline and dismissal, reasonable accommodation, interactive... Read More →

Ashlee Reece-Walker

Senior Counsel, AALRR

Ashlee Reece-Walker provides counsel and representation to California public school districts, county offices of education, and other public entities in a wide variety of employment and education law matters. In addition to personnel-related counseling, Ms. Reece-Walker conducts investigations... Read More →

Thursday September 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Theater

Concurrent Session

2:00pm PDT

Hire Fast, Keep Longer: 4 High-Impact HR Focus Areas

Thursday September 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

Saddleback

Is your HR team spending too much time on paperwork and not enough on people? It’s time to refocus. This high-energy session identifies the four levers HR leaders must pull to drastically improve recruitment and retention outcomes. We’ll dive deep into Systems, Recruitment, Branding, and Retention, providing you with actionable frameworks to streamline your operations and amplify your culture....
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Speakers

David Robertson

Retired: Assistant Superintendent of HR, 2025 Ray Curry Award from ACSA, Retired

David Robertson a recently retired Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. He has been a long standing member with ACSA and was the most recent Ray Curry Award winner from ACSA He has presented at ACSA and nationally at AASPA numerous times, where he contributed significantly... Read More →

Thursday September 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Saddleback

Concurrent Session

Company Onboarding & Orientation
Audience Intermediate

2:00pm PDT

LS - Employee Free Speech, Including Union Speech

Thursday September 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

Regency A

Now more than ever, school districts are faced with employees engaging in controversial speech occurring in and out of the classroom. When can employees criticize the administration or speak out about political events? Where does an employee’s expression of their views on a controversial topic cross the line and potentially impact their employment? This workshop will discuss the district’s...
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Speakers

Kara Walton

Attorney, Partner, Lozano Smith

OverviewKara R. Walton is a Partner in Lozano Smith's San Diego office. Ms. Walton represents public school district clients on labor and employment issues, and advises school boards on a wide variety of governance matters.

ExperienceMs. Walton frequently represents school districts in personnel matters for both certificated and non-certificated employees, including labor union relations and grievances. She also regularly serves as general counsel to districts, advising and assisting with litigation matters and... Read More →

Selina Ayala Patlán

Senior Counsel, Lozano Smith

Overview
Selina Ayala-Patlán is Senior Counsel in Lozano Smith’s Monterey Office. Ms. Ayala-Patlán's practice focuses on assisting public agency clients in labor and employment, investigations, and governance matters.

Experience
Ms. Ayala-Patlán assists clients with matters related to employee relations, labor negotiations, investigations, Public Records Act, and Board governance. An Association of Workplace Investigators Certificate Holder (AWI-CH), she brings specialized training in conducting impartial... Read More →

Thursday September 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Regency A

Concurrent Session

2:00pm PDT

When Accommodations Get Complicated: Real Scenarios & Practical Strategies for School HR Leaders

Thursday September 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

Regency B

School HR leaders are managing increasingly complex accommodation requests involving mental health, leaves, remote work, attendance, and employee performance concerns. Through real-world scenarios and interactive discussion, this session explores practical approaches to Interactive Process facilitation, documentation, and communication that help districts navigate difficult situations while...
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Speakers

Tomas Chavez

Former Executive Director of Human Resources

Dr. Tomas Chavez is a former school district Human Resources Executive Director and school principal with over 15 years of leadership experience in K-12 public education. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University, an Administrative Services Credential... Read More →

Thursday September 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Regency B

Concurrent Session

Company LEAVES and Attendance
Audience Intermediate

3:45pm PDT

AALRR - Preparing for a Strike: Lessons Learned and Legal Strategies for School District Leaders

Thursday September 17, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

Theater

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,...
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Speakers

Mellissa Gallegos

Partner, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

Thursday September 17, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
Theater

Concurrent Session

3:45pm PDT

Leveraging Residency and Apprenticeship to Build Sustainable Educator Pipelines

Thursday September 17, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

Regency A

Traditional recruitment strategies alone are no longer enough to meet today’s educator workforce demands. As districts navigate ongoing staffing shortages, turnover, and hard-to-fill positions, Human Resources leaders are increasingly exploring innovative “grow your own” solutions that create stronger pathways into the profession. This session examines educator residency and registered...
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Speakers

Amy Bennett

Statewide Residency Technical Assistance Center Coordinator, Santa Clara County Office of Education

Amy Bennett has dedicated the past two decades to the field of education, first as a teacher and later moving to leadership roles at the district and county levels. With a strong background in educational leadership and teacher development, she spent many years overseeing a large... Read More →

Brooke Berrios

Coordinator, Tulare COE

Brooke Berrios is a dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience in teaching, consulting, and program coordination across P-16 systems. Passionate about educational equity, she develops and supports inclusive programs in diversifying California's teaching pipeline and address... Read More →

Thursday September 17, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
Regency A

Concurrent Session

Company Educator Workforce Development & Talent Pipelines
Audience Beginner

3:45pm PDT

LS - Managing the Increasing Demands of Complaints

Thursday September 17, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

Regency B

If you are buried in complaints, you are not alone. Complaints in the forms of UCPs, Complaints Against Employees, Sexual Harassment, and others have become common and at times, overwhelming. If your department is having a hard time managing the time demands, this session is for you. We will review the most common complaint types, critical tasks, and tips of the trade for streamlining your...
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Speakers

Kara Walton

Attorney, Partner, Lozano Smith

Selina Ayala Patlán

Senior Counsel, Lozano Smith

Thursday September 17, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
Regency B

Concurrent Session

Company Complaints and Investigations
Audience Intermediate

3:45pm PDT

Organizing the HR Office for Success with Leaves, Hiring, Association Partners and Compliance

Thursday September 17, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT

Saddleback

Speakers

Jorge Ronquillo

Assistant Superintendent, HR, Azusa USD

Jorge A. Ronquillo is the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at Azusa Unified School District, where he leads the district's human capital strategy, including labor relations, employee services, and personnel management. Mr. Ronquillo plays a key role in collective bargaining... Read More →

Thursday September 17, 2026 3:45pm - 5:15pm PDT
Saddleback

Concurrent Session

7:30am PDT

Networking Breakfast

Friday September 18, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am PDT

Regency CDE

Friday September 18, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am PDT
Regency CDE

Meal Function

8:00am PDT

Closing General Session with Keynote Kevin Bracy

Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 9:15am PDT

Regency CDE

Speakers

Kevin Bracy

"GREATNESS is my standard. It's how I prepare for keynotes, presentations, assemblies, training, and workshops - no matter the size of the audience". Born, raised, and educated in Sacramento, Kevin Bracy, AKA Coach Greatness, is a motivational entertainer, executive producer, speaking... Read More →

Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 9:15am PDT
Regency CDE

Meal Function

9:30am PDT

BWS - Conducting Workplace Investigations: A Practical Guide To Obtaining Defensible And Impartial Findings

Friday September 18, 2026 9:30am - 11:00am PDT

Saddleback

This workshop will provide participants with the tools, strategies, and approaches to conducting a workplace investigation. We will discuss how to formulate an investigation plan, use applicable law as a framework, select witnesses, conduct interviews, assess witness truthfulness and credibility, and document your findings. We will also cover tips for conducting investigations of commonly made...
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Speakers

Gabriela M. Rodriguez

Associate, Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP

Gabriela represents educational agencies in all employment matters, including employee evaluations, discipline, reasonable accommodations, interactive process meetings, restraining orders, and other areas of general education law. Gabriela also conducts investigations for school districts... Read More →

Daphne Anneet

Friday September 18, 2026 9:30am - 11:00am PDT
Saddleback

Concurrent Session

9:30am PDT

DWK - Where the Wild Leaves Roam

Friday September 18, 2026 9:30am - 11:00am PDT

Regency A

Maybe you’re new to educational leaves, or maybe you have been working with leaves your entire career. Whatever your experience, have you ever had that moment when you ask yourself “What leaves does this employee get?” Local Educational Agencies are required to apply Federal, State and Educational Leaves. In addition to the leave laws like PDL, FMLA and CFRA, agencies must also consider...
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Speakers

Jenell Van Bindsbergen

Attorney at Law, Dannis Woliver Kelley

Leilani Battiste

Attorney at Law, Dannis Woliver Kelley

Leilani Battiste is Of Counsel in the San Francisco office and a member of the Labor, Employment and Personnel practice group. She has experience representing public entities, K-12 school districts, and community college districts.
Prior to joining the firm, Leilani worked for many years at City College of San Francisco, where she first worked as outside counsel, followed by Deputy General Counsel, in addition to serving as Interim General Counsel. She has most recently been with the County of Marin, Office... Read More →

Friday September 18, 2026 9:30am - 11:00am PDT
Regency A

Concurrent Session

Company LEAVES and Attendance
Audience Intermediate

9:30am PDT

F3 - Recognizing and Eliminating Behaviors that may Indicate Harassment or Discrimination

Friday September 18, 2026 9:30am - 11:00am PDT

Regency B

Discrimination complaints often arise not from a single decision, but from patterns of communication, documentation, and inconsistent application of policies over time. This session examines common missteps that increase exposure to discrimination claims in the workplace, particularly within public education and public sector employment contexts. Participants will explore how everyday personnel...
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Speakers

Katy McCully Merrill

Partner, F3 Law

Bringing high levels of compassion and competence to her practice, Katy McCully Merrill advises K-12 and community college districts and county offices of education statewide on a variety of challenges and disputes. These include employment concerns such as hiring practices, leaves... Read More →

Erin Portugal Revious

Assistant Superintendent, Lemoore UESD

Erin Portugal Revious is a distinguished and highly accomplished educational administrator with over two decades of dedicated service in fostering academic excellence, supportive student programs, and exemplary school culture. She currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent... Read More →

Friday September 18, 2026 9:30am - 11:00am PDT
Regency B

Concurrent Session

Company Complaints and Investigations
Audience Intermediate

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