Our team of attorneys monitor the Legislature, court decisions, and administrative agencies (e.g. CDE, Board of Education, State Controller’s Office, PERB, etc.) and issue frequent Legal Alerts on matters of legal importance to our clients. This page is updated frequently, so please visit us often.
SB 153 – Independent Study Law Changes for 2024-25
On June 29, 2024, the Governor signed Senate Bill 153 (“SB 153”), otherwise known as the Education Omnibus Budget Trailer Bill. Among other important changes (which will be the subject of separate legal alerts and webinars), SB 153 makes significant amendments to the...
The Wait is Over! The U.S. Department of Education Issued its Final Title IX Regulations
With summer break right around the corner, the U.S. Department of Education released its Final Title IX Regulations, which will become effective on August 1, 2024. The new Title IX Regulations include several changes: New definition of sex-based harassment; ...
Legislative Changes Affecting Student Services: Are Your Board Policies and Annual Notices Up to Date?
The end of another busy and productive school year for students and administrators is quickly approaching! With a new school year comes new California laws impacting education. These new laws encompass a wide range of issues, including special education, student...
In New Ruling, the Federal Appeals Court Demands Specificity in Anticipated Frequency and Duration of Services
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision last week that underscored the importance of providing clarity in IEP documents, particularly with regard to the frequency and duration of services. In LAUSD v. AO, the Court criticized LAUSD for listing a frequency...
The Time to Apply for Facilities Under Prop. 39 is Here!
Finding adequate facilities is one of the most challenging aspects of operating a charter school in California. Proposition 39 has been a successful tool for charter schools to secure public school facilities and/or begin a dialogue with the school district in which...
You Won’t Think the Fine Fits the Crime!
Duties for Filing Officers and Officials - Form 700 Filing Due April 3, 2023The Form 700 Statement of Economic Interest (“Form 700”) filing deadline of April 1, 2023, has been extended to Monday, April 3, 2023, due to April 1 falling on a weekend this year. Your...
Virtual Meetings Are Done; Long Live Teleconference/Videoconference Meetings
On February 28, 2023, Governor Newsom ended the COVID-19 State of Emergency. For charter school boards, this means that, as of March 1, 2023, boards can no longer utilize the relaxed virtual meeting rules, to which we’ve become accustomed over the past three years. ...
Federal Appeals Court Issues New Ruling Analyzing Rachel H. Factors When Considering Least Restrictive Environment
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has once again confirmed the importance of educating students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. This time the Court clarified the first factor of the Rachel H. test used to determine whether a more restrictive...
The U.S. Department of Education Releases Federal Charter Schools Program Application and Revised Rules and Regulations
The U.S. Department of Education recently published critical information related to various grant opportunities available to charter schools under the Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program (“CSP”), as follows:Dissemination Grant On July 22,...
Time to Revisit Your Employment Agreements? Significant Impact of United States Supreme Court Case on Employee Claims
Although many charter schools around California have already issued employment agreements for the 2022-2023 school year, a recent US Supreme Court case warrants reviewing these agreements as California employers now have a better opportunity to protect themselves from...