When it comes to hiring certificated staff, the process is now more complex and challenging. In this episode, host Aly Bivins connects with Lozano Smith attorneys Dulcinea Grantham and Gail Zurek to unpack the key provisions and implications of Assembly Bill (AB) 2534, focusing on legal obligations for Local Education Agencies related to certificated employees and egregious misconduct. Packed with FAQs, explanations of key obligations, and steps for practical compliance, this episode is essentia...
Jun 20, 2025•31 min
Extended School Year (ESY) services can raise nuanced questions for IEP teams and special education professionals. On this episode of the Lozano Smith Podcast, host Aly R. Bivins talks with Roxana E. Khan and Erin Frazor about how ESY differs from summer school, the legal requirements under the IDEA, and how to make sound, individualized decisions. They round out the conversation by highlighting common pitfalls and offering practical tips to ensure compliance, including the importance of clear d...
May 28, 2025•44 min
Graduation season is fast approaching and now is the time for selecting speakers, auditioning singers and all the other details that go into planning a successful event. On this Lozano Smith podcast, host Sloan Simmons and his guests Partners and Lozano Smith Student Practice Group Leaders, Ruth Mendyk and Kyle Raney, walk through parameters and considerations in preparing for the ceremony itself, including speeches, music, adornments and more. The group also discusses the basics that being incl...
Apr 25, 2025•40 min
This episode explores the evolving landscape of Title IX through the lens of where we are and where we're headed. From the impact of the 2020 regulations and the recent vacating of the 2024 regulations, to current executive orders, investigations, and state laws shaping implementation today, our team looks ahead at what future federal guidance may hold. Lozano Smith Title IX gurus Monica Batanero, Sarah Fama, and Emma Sol join host Sloan Simmons for this timely discussion to help school leaders ...
Apr 10, 2025•31 min
In the final episode of our three-part podcast series, host Sloan Simmons joins Lozano Smith Facilities and Business Partners Megan Macy and Anne Collins, and special guest Sue Bell, Chief Facilities Officer for the Elk Grove Unified School District, to tackle all things implementation. The experts discuss turning plans into action, from developing teams and agreements to delivery methods and launch. Show Notes & References 2:14 – How to select a delivery method (Resource: Construction Deliv...
Mar 13, 2025•16 min
In Part 2 of this three-part podcast series, host Sloan Simmons is back with Lozano Smith Facilities and Business Partners Megan Macy and Anne Collins, and special guest Sue Bell, Chief Facilities Officer for the Elk Grove Unified School District. The group covers team building, planning with and for consultants, tips and tricks, and how to best utilize your legal team to get your project off the ground. Stay tuned for Part 3: Implementation, and visit www.lozanosmith.com/podcast to access upcom...
Mar 04, 2025•23 min
In this episode, we re-air Podcast 52 from March 2022, in which host Sloan Simmons joins partners and Lozano Smith Labor and Employment Co-Practice Group Leaders Michelle Cannon and Gabriela Flowers to discuss several important school district labor and employment deadlines that all fall on March 15. This brief but information packed episode includes discussion on various types of release from employment as well as layoffs. The presenters also address changes to the classified layoff process tha...
Mar 03, 2025•36 min
In this three-part podcast series, host Sloan Simmons engages with Lozano Smith Facilities and Business Partners Megan Macy and Anne Collins, as well as special guest Sue Bell, Chief Facilities Officer for the Elk Grove Unified School District, on a thoughtful discussion regarding state funding and post-Proposition 2 spending. This discussion will assist listeners in issue spotting, problem solving, and building a proactive approach to planning and managing your district’s future. Part 1 of the ...
Feb 26, 2025•21 min
In this episode, host Sloan Simmons engages with Lozano Smith's student law experts Ed Sklar and Josh Whiteside regarding applicable laws, guidance, and anticipated developments regarding immigration enforcement and schools under the new presidential administration. The group discusses the similar focus on this issue dating back to 2017-2018, what happened then, resulting California laws and guidance on point, and anticipated changes at the federal level that will impact California schools. Show...
Jan 23, 2025•49 min
Join Lozano Smith Student attorneys Ruth Mendyk, Alexandra Carubis, and Josh Whiteside as they discuss developments from the most recent legislative session and evaluate the impacts on California students beginning January 1, 2025. Show Notes & References 2:03 – Prohibition of suspension for students seeking help with substance use (Assembly Bill (AB) 2711) 5:53 – Lawful possession of fentanyl antagonists and test strips (Senate Bill (SB) 997) 8:19 – Immunity for opioid antagonist administra...
Dec 20, 2024•33 min
This Lozano Smith Podcast episode is the fourth and final in a 4-part series Leadership in Action, brought to you by Lozano Smith and Lozano Smith’s Concierge Consulting Services, also known as CCS. Due to a long pattern of declining enrollment and resulting budget challenges, school districts around the state are increasingly faced with making the difficult decision of whether and how to close or consolidate schools. In this episode, host Sloan Simmons engages with Lozano Smith CCS expert Ron C...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 2 min
This Lozano Smith Podcast episode is the third in a 4-part series Leadership in Action, brought to you by Lozano Smith and Lozano Smith’s Concierge Consulting Services, also known as CCS. In this episode, host Sloan Simmons connects with Lozano Smith CCS expert Brandon Krueger, Ed.D. and Partner Sarah Levitan Kaatz regarding building and sustaining a professional organizational culture. This discussion highlights overarching concepts, practical approaches, and a framework for the extremely impor...
Nov 21, 2024•47 min
This Lozano Smith Podcast episode is the second in a 4-part series Leadership in Action, brought to you by Lozano Smith and Lozano Smith’s Concierge Consulting Services, also known as CCS. Whether your school district successfully passed a bond or parcel tax in years past or just this month, once those financial resources are accounted for, the process of moving forward with construction begins. In this episode, host Sloan Simmons connects with Lozano Smith CCS expert George S. Sziraki, Ed.D. an...
Nov 14, 2024•29 min
This Lozano Smith Podcast episode is the first in a 4-part series Leadership in Action, brought to you by Lozano Smith and Lozano Smith’s Concierge Consulting Services, also known as CCS. Increasingly in recent years, the perception of governing board meetings have trended negative, with school leaders concerned over disruptions, lack of productivity, and more. In this episode, host Sloan Simmons engages with Lozano Smith CCS expert Kevin Skelly, Ph.D. and Partner Megan Macy regarding best pract...
Nov 07, 2024•42 min
In this episode of our podcast, host Sloan Simmons engages with Lozano Smith special education experts Aly Bivins and Josh Walden. They discuss the recent trends and guidance in the arena of goal writing for special education students. Aly and Josh provide insights on recent OAH decisions on point, and lessons learned from those due process outcomes. Show Notes & References 1:17 – Lozano Smith Podcast Episode 66 – Addressing Inclusion Confusion Following COVID (Listen here) 2:06 – The import...
Oct 18, 2024•24 min
In this episode, host Sloan Simmons engages with Lozano Smith charter school experts Courtney de Groof and Eric Barba. The group discusses the recent Oklahoma Supreme Court decision to block the nation’s first proposed religious charter school and implications of this development here in California and more broadly. Show Notes & References 1:55 – Drummond vs. Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board (Client News Brief 31 - August 2023) 7:23 – Issues presented in Oklahoma Decision 8:42...
Sep 11, 2024•27 min
Join host Sloan Simmons as he discusses new legislative enactments and trending student issues impacting the 2024-2025 school year with Lozano Smith experts Kyle Raney and Kendra Tovey. This episode covers a range of hot topic issues, from a new round of changes to Independent Study to AB 1955. Show Notes & References 1:17 – School recess (Senate Bill (SB) 291) (Client News Brief 45 - December 2023) 3:59 – Repeal of withholding recess as a disciplinary measure 6:01 – Defiance and disruption,...
Aug 30, 2024•33 min
In this podcast, host Sloan Simmons engages with Lozano Smith Title IX Practice Group Leaders Monica Batanero and Sarah Fama in a step-by-step discussion regarding the new Title IX regulations, as well as helpful context regarding various legal challenges pending around the country to the new regulations. Show Notes & References 1:48 – Overview of Title IX 3:48 – New Title IX Regulations 6:14 – California regulations under the Education code 8:19 – Flexibility within new regulations 10:28 – ...
Aug 22, 2024•30 min
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 Complaint Procedures (UCP)) 2:01 – BP/AP 4030 (Non-Discrimination in Employment) 2:05 – Title IX and ...
Aug 13, 2024•19 min
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 considerations for school administrators. Show Notes & References 1:57 – Law, rules, and regulations 3:54...
Jul 08, 2024•37 min
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 departments and business operations. We also discuss real-world applications and potential pitfalls inv...
May 21, 2024•36 min
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 opportunities for students with diverse needs. We also discuss real-world applications and success stories invol...
Apr 08, 2024•27 min
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 like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini. This episode provides an accessible overview on how public e...
Feb 16, 2024•47 min
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 carts to operate nearby. Thanks to new laws enacted in the past five years, local governments now have so...
Feb 13, 2024•18 min
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, energy service contracts, and emergency contracts. Show Notes & References 1:54 – Background 6:20 – M...
Jan 30, 2024•47 min
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 News Brief 36 – November 2023) 3:46 – Episode 63 Getting to Know and Understand the FAIR Act (listen he...
Dec 19, 2023•29 min
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 outcomes. Show Notes & References 2:35 – Preparing for negotiations 3:38 – Educational Employment R...
Dec 18, 2023•27 min
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 Committees) and why they exist 4:21 – Required minimum number of committee members 5:59 – CBOCs and si...
Nov 21, 2023•44 min
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 2:55 - Board Bylaw 9100 and electing board officers 3:42 – Vice President and Clerk roles 4:54 – The six...
Nov 17, 2023•25 min
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 complex topic. Show Notes & References 1:26 – What is inclusion? 2:38 – The history of inclusion an...
Sep 11, 2023•39 min
