Episodes

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...

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...

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...

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 importa...

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...

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, ...

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 ...

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 an...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 – Mu...

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 her...

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 Re...

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...

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 s...

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 and...

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) (Client News Brief 39 – August 2022) 2:16 – Transitioning back from distance learning 3:45 – Responding to ...

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 housing situation in California 2:22 – What is an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) 3:04 – ADUs and pa...

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 of LGBT issues at public schools, some may be confused or unsure about how to be compliant with the ...

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: www.lozanosmith.com/podcast. Disclaimer: As the information contained herein is necessarily general, its application to a par...

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) and The Charter Schools Act reform 5:32 – Removal of the Dashboard and impact on charter renewals 8:2...