Let’s Talk - Lozano Smith Podcast

In this episode, host Sloan Simmons engages with Lozano Smith attorneys Carolyn Gemma and Jaspreet Lochab-Dogra regarding the application and interactions between the various compliant procedures utilized by California’s K-12 school districts. Show Notes & References 1:45 – Common complaint procedures 1:51 – BP/AP 1312.1 (Complaints Concerning District Employees) 1:56 – BP/AP 1312.3 (Uniform C...

In episode four of our series on Artificial Intelligence for Public Agencies and School Districts, we explore the intersection of student issues and AI.  Join Lozano Smith attorneys Karen M. Rezendes , Ruth E. Mendyk , and Joshua Whiteside in their discussion of the use of AI and its effect on K-12 students, existing rules and regulations, issues of deepfakes and plagiarism, and big picture consid...

In episode three of our series on Artificial Intelligence for Public Agencies and School Districts, we delve into the ways AI is impacting the facilities and operations side of school districts. Join Lozano Smith attorneys Karen M. Rezendes , Robert A. Lomeli , and Junaid Halani as they discuss how AI technologies are being integrated into the day-to-day processes of school districts’ facilities d...

In episode two of our series on Artificial Intelligence for Public Agencies and School Districts, we delve into the ways AI is revolutionizing the field of special education. Join Lozano Smith attorneys Karen M. Rezendes , Sarah L. Garcia , and Karina Demirchyan as they discuss how AI technologies are enabling a more inclusive learning environment and creating more equitable educational opportunit...

Dive into the evolving world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the first episode in our new series, designed to cut through the hype and uncover the real impact of AI on public agencies. Lozano Smith’s Managing Partner, Karen M. Rezendes , along with Lozano Smith attorneys Robert A. Lomeli , Karina Demirchyan , and Nicholas J. Clair , offer a foundational exploration of AI technologies li...

California’s vibrant food cultures and many days of sunshine means you have probably seen an individual selling food and goods from a sidewalk or street cart.  However, this entrepreneurship led to many debates about whether certain neighborhoods should be off-limits to street (or sidewalk) vendors, how many to allow, and whether brick-and-mortar businesses needed to give permission for these cart...

In this episode, Lozano Smith Podcast co-host Josh Whiteside has invited attorneys Amanda Savage and James McCann to provide a helpful “how-to” guide for public agencies procuring and bidding for goods, services, and other contracted work. Topics include bidding thresholds, understanding the difference between maintenance and construction, as well as brief rules of the road for piggybacking, energ...

In this episode, Lozano Smith Podcast host Sloan Simmons discusses with Lozano Smith Student Practice Group Leaders Ruth Mendyk and Josh Whiteside important legislative updates regarding student matters resulting from the close of this year’s legislative session. Show Notes & References 1:55 – Prohibition on removal of instructional materials/library books (Assembly Bill (AB) 1078) ( Client Ne...

Designed for new administrators and/or those new to the bargaining table, co-host Joshua Whiteside is joined by Lozano Smith attorneys Daniel McElhinney and Kara Walton to discuss the basics of bargaining.  Topics include figuring out who should be on the bargaining team, how to identify a lead negotiator, what type of contract negotiations can occur, and strategies to foster good processes and ou...

Join Lozano Smith Podcast host Sloan Simmons for a discussion with Partner attorneys Daniel Maruccia and Harold Freiman regarding Citizen Bond Oversight Committees. This podcast provides an insightful primer into such committees, including their purpose, applicable requirements, and commonly asked questions and issues. Show Notes & References 1:47 – Overview of CBOCs (Citizen Bond Oversight Co...

Join host Sloan Simmons in this Lozano Smith podcast in which Partner Thomas Gauthier discusses annual organizational meetings for school districts.  This timely discussion provides insights into the structure and purpose to these meetings, which take place every December. Show Notes & References 1:03 – Basic overview of organizational meetings 2:19 – Education Code sections 1009 and 35143 2:5...

Join Lozano Smith attorneys Joshua Whiteside , Jennifer Baldassari , and Haley Fagan in a discussion about special education inclusion following a return to in-person schooling post-COVID.  In this episode they discuss inclusive environments, recent case law, and next steps for the future.  Listen as they delve into inclusion and travel through past and present frameworks to better understand this...

In this Lozano Smith Podcast episode, host Sloan Simmons talks with Lozano Smith special education attorneys Kendra Tovey and Amanda Cordova regarding independent study in the context of special education students in light of the now existing independent study legal framework post-pandemic. Show Notes & References 1:06 – Special education students participation in Independent Study (IS) (Clien...

With the ever-growing demand for housing in California, many local governments are turning to Accessory Dwelling Units (“ADUs”). Host Joshua Whiteside  joins Lozano Smith attorneys  Jennifer Thompson and Kevin Serrano to examine the housing situation in California, benefits and challenges of ADUs to cities and local agencies, ADU requirements, and latest trends. Show Notes & References 1:29 –...

The Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful (“FAIR”) Act became law in 2012 and was enacted with the goal of California schools including a more historically accurate depiction of the contributions of LGBT Americans in the curriculum and to reduce the negative stereotypes and bullying that plague a majority of LGBT youth.  However, in light of national and local controversies regarding discussion...

Erin Hamor , Partner and Co-chair of Lozano Smith’s Charter School Practice Group, is back with an important update on the fate of charter school renewals in the state in light of new pending legislation, discussed in our most recent episode, Charter School Renewals – They’re Back!   For more information on the topics discussed in this podcast, please visit our website at: w...

In this Lozano Smith Podcast episode, host Sloan Simmons talks with Lozano Smith Partners and charter school experts Ed Sklar and Erin Hamor regarding the forthcoming return of the charter school renewal process under pre-Pandemic changes in the law resulting from AB 1505. Show Notes & References 1:32 – Charter renewals and where we left off ( listen to Episode 57 here ) 2:19 – AB 1505 (2019)...

In this Lozano Smith Podcast episode, host Sloan Simmons talks with Lozano Smith special education Partner Sarah Garcia and special education attorney Kaitlyn Tucker about the nuances and options when responding to student behavior, including imposition of student discipline and other options, in the special education context. Show Notes & References 1:28 – Expedited due process hearings (34 C...

Effective 2023, the California Public Records Act (“CPRA”) has a new statutory “home” within the Government Code.  (See Gov. Code, § 7920.000 et seq.)  While the Legislature has indicated this reorganization is not intended to change the CPRA substantively, the practical effects of this reorganization remain to be seen.  In this Lozano Smith Podcast episode, host Sloan Simmons engages with Lozano...

This episode provides school administrators with the latest legislative changes and developments regarding student matters with Lozano Smith and Student Practice Group leaders Ruth Mendyk and Joshua Whiteside , along with Fresno attorney Nisha Dale . Show Notes & References 1:23 – Governor’s Executive Order: End of State of Emergency (February 28, 2023) 2:29 –Student threats and firearms (SB 9...

The United States Supreme Court’s June 2022 Opinion in  Kennedy v. Bremerton School District  marked a potential sea change for the considerations school districts must account for in relation to employee private religious expression in the school context, whether as a matter of constitutional free speech rights vs. regulation of employee speech, free exercise of religion, or the Establishment Cla...

As discussed in Episode 56, there were three pending charter school petition appeals to the State Board of Education (SBE) following denial by the respective LEAs. These were the first three charter petition appeals subject to the new appeal processes since Assembly Bill 1505 became effective in 2020.  In this Lozano Smith Podcast episode, host Sloan Simmons engages with Megan Macy and Courtney de...

Effective 2019, significant legal changes were enacted regarding charter schools in California.  The anticipated effects and implementation of those changes, however, were stunted by the COVID-19 outbreak.  In this Lozano Smith Podcast episode, host Sloan Simmons engages with Lozano Smith Charter Practice Group Co-Leaders, Ed Sklar and Erin Hamor , to discuss the current state of affairs for chart...

In the wake of COVID-19, many families have experienced or explored new ways for their children to receive education.  Lozano Smith attorneys Lauri Arrowsmith and Kaitlyn Tucker will examine the recent trend of more parents seeking alternative placements for their children with disabilities and how educational agencies should handle such requests, including those seeking placement at a private or...

Managing school board meetings in the face of disruption created by parents, employees, and members of the public can be challenging.  This podcast will explore best practices to regulate this disruption and create rules and de-escalation techniques to ensure an orderly meeting.  To explore this timely topic, co-host Joshua Whiteside introduces a discussion on point between local governance expert...