2026 ACSA Personnel Institute

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 cover Education Code sections and policies governing the teaching of controversial issues, including restrictions on political expression and advocacy in the course of delivering instruction.

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 bore you with slides about legal esoterica. Together we learn, strategize, problem solve, laugh, and interact. We use curated HR and labor relations materials (summarizing court decisions, PERB decisions, laws, regulations, policies, and recent developments) to impart real-world lessons and pertinent knowledge about legal requirements and best practices for HR and labor relations professionals. Who knew the law could be so much fun?

Key Takeaways:
• Receive practical lessons, strategies and insights on often-complex legal issues to make your HR/labor relations department function at a higher level
• Learn, strategize, problem solve and interact with fellow human resources practitioners and leading attorneys
• Get up to date on the latest and greatest labor and employment court decisions, PERB decisions, laws and best practices

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 practical strategies for documenting leave accurately and ensuring compliance with federal and state laws. Attendees will leave with actionable tips and tools to support effective leave administration and sound decision-making in their districts.

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 real world examples to gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate these complex situations while ensuring compliance and employee support through the process.

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.