Jim Young from The Law Offices of Spector, Middleton, Young & Minney, LLP will be providing a valuable board governance workshop for charter schools of the Los Angeles Unified School District ("LAUSD"). This workshop is also intended to fulfill any renewal requirement for Brown Act training for board members of charter schools granted by LAUSD. There will be no fee for this workshop!

The workshop will address each of the requirements of the Brown Act, common pitfalls and how to avoid them, as well as tips for running effective meetings. A sample agenda and board policies will also be provided.

Spector, Middleton, Young & Minney, LLP is proud to once again sponsor and present at the APlus+ Association of Personalized Learning conference this year in Del Mar, California on October 22-24, 2008.

The presentation by the partners of Spector, Middleton, Young & Minney, LLP will provide a legal primer in many of the key areas applicable to personalized learning schools. Each of our sections will be updated to reflect the most current 'hot topics' of concern and will be presented in the typical SMYM light-hearted style. Attendees will leave with practical tips for preventing common legal pitfalls (and prizes).

Sections:

• School laws that apply to charter schools - This section will focus on describing the laws that apply to your school as a public charter school.
• Nonclassroom dos and don'ts - This section will focus on the technical legal requirements related to independent study which are necessary to providing a complete audit trail.
• Special Education for nonclassroom based programs - This section will discuss the particular application of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act to nonclassroom based schools.
• Personnel Landmines - This section will provide an overview of the common landmines associated with hiring, evaluation, and termination of charter school employees.
  

CCSA/SMYM Partnership to Present a Charter School Renewal Workshop Series Throughout the State

Lisa Corr from Spector, Middleton, Young & Minney, LLP in partnership with the California Charter Schools Association presented a charter renewal workshop in Los Angeles on April 8, 2008. The workshop included renewal legal issues and procedures, what has changed in the last five years and what new elements you must include in your revised petition. Click here for a copy of the PowerPoint.

The California Charter School Association and the Law Offices of Spector, Middleton, Young & Minney, LLP have teamed up to create a workshop series designed to assist charter schools in securing a successful renewal of their charters.

The charter school renewal process must not be delayed. Proper planning, strategy, negotiations, legal research and drafting is absolutely imperative to successful charter school renewal. During the first part of the workshop a legal expert in California charter school renewal will be discussing the legal framework for renewal, the pitfalls to avoid in renewal and the strategies to have a successful renewal.

The second portion of the session will be focused on region-specific strategizing facilitated by California Charter Schools Association General Managers. Submit your renewal prepared and ready for successful reauthorization. This is a workshop you won't want to miss!

Presenters: Paul C. Minney and/or Lisa A. Corr, Both partners with Spector, Middleton, Young & Minney, LLP

BAY AREA SESSION
Monday, June 2, 2008
9am-2pm
California Charter Schools Association
200 Pine Street, 8th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104

SACRAMENTO SESSION
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
9am-2pm
California Charter Schools Association
1107 9th Street, Suite 700 (7th Floor)
Sacramento, CA 95814

LOS ANGELES SESSION
Thursday, June 5, 2008
10am-2pm
California Charter Schools Association
250 E. 1st Street, Suite 1000 (10th Floor)
Los Angeles, CA 90012

FRESNO SESSION
Monday, June 9, 2008
9am-2pm
University of California, Fresno Center
550 E Shaw Avenue
Fresno, CA 93710

Fee: $120 for members, $200 for nonmembers

To register, please visit CCSA's website.

Thank you to all who stopped by SMYM's exhibition booth and Hospitality Suite during the California Charter Schools Association's 2008 conference in Sacramento March 4-7, 2008. We enjoy meeting new people and seeing old friends every year during the conference and we look forward to seeing everyone next year in Long Beach.

• Nonclassroom Do's and Don'ts, Presented by Lisa Corr
  Click here to download a copy of the presentation
  Independent Study Legal Compliance Checklist
  Understanding SB740
  Legal Alert: California Appeals Court Rules Homeschooling is Unlawful
  
  
• How to Acquire School Facilities Under Prop. 39, Presented by Paul Minney and panel
  Click here to download a copy of the presentation
  
  
• Avoiding Personnel Landmines, Presented by Jim Young
  Click here to download a copy of the presentation
  
  
• Special Education - the Laws and Important Relationships Between the Charter School, the District, and the SELPA, Presented by Lisa Corr
  Click here to download a copy of the presentation
  
  
• Charter School Audits, Presented by Paul Minney and panel
  Click here to download a copy of the presentation
  
  
• Education Law 101: What Laws Apply to Charter Schools, Presented by Jim Young
  Click here to download a copy of the presentation
  
  
• The Ins and Outs of Converting a Public School to a Charter Public School, Presented by Paul Minney
  Click here to download a copy of the presentation
  
  
• Mastering the Suspension Expulsion Process, Presented by Jim Young
  Click here to download a copy of the presentation
  

"Avoiding Costly Mistakes in Charter School Personnel & Pupil Discipline" A two-part all day workshop designed to maximize your effectiveness and minimize legal liability.

MASTER THE CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENT
DISCIPLINE PROCESS
(1pm–4pm)
Learn what legal rules apply to Charter Schools in
establishing and maintaining an effective student
discipline process. Special emphasis will be placed
on how your school can carry out lawful discipline,
including the conducting of expulsions under
California law. Sample forms in critical areas will
be provided.

Proposition 39 Workshops

How to get school district facilities through Prop. 39 and the other options you should consider.

This workshop will provide charter schools and charter school developers with an overview of charter school facilities planning. The program will help you answer the following questions:

" What is my school entitled to under Prop. 39?
" What do I need to know to prepare a strong Prop. 39 request?
" How do I negotiate for Prop. 39 facilities with the school district?
" How do I find a site for my school if the district doesn't provide one?
" How do I negotiate a lease with a private entity?
" How do I get a building permit for tenant improvements?

PRESENTERS: Paul Minney, Spector, Middleton, Young & Minney, LLP
Julie Umansky, the Association's Legal Defense Fund Director
Joann Koplin, the Association's Facilities Director

Oakland, Wednesday, August 29, 2007 10am-3pm

San Diego, Thursday, August 30, 2007 10am-3pm

Please contact Melanie McAlpine at mmcalpine@smymlaw.com or at 916-646-1400.