Month: June 2021

Episode 46 California’s “Reopening” and the Future of Public Meetings Under the Brown Act

Episode 46 California’s “Reopening” and the Future of Public Meetings Under the Brown Act

With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and California’s “reopening,” host Sloan Simmons has a timely discussion with Lozano Smith Governance Co-Practice Group Leader, Anne Collins and Lozano Smith Technology and Innovation Practice Group Leader Travis Cochran regarding the state of the law and future of public meetings under the Brown Act in light of pending legislation that would continue flexibility for remote participation by local officials and the public.

Show Notes & References

  • 3:19 – The Brown Act & board member telephonic/virtual participation (Government Code section 54953(b))
  • 6:06 – California Executive Order 3-17-20 (March 2020)
  • 10:16 – California Executive Order N-08-21 (June 2021)
  • 11:32 – Masks at public meetings
  • 15:25 – Meeting posting requirements
  • 16:16 – Pending Assembly Bill (AB) 361
  • 18:24 – Pending AB 339
  • 25:11 – Public comment and participation during virtual board meetings
  • 35:05 – Virtual technology issues
  • 38:55 – Hybrid board meetings and flexible participation
  • 45:46 – Update: California Department of Public Health Face Coverings Q&A Guidance (June 15, 2021)

 

Lozano Smith’s COVID-19 Resources can be found here.

For more information on the topics discussed in this podcast, please visit our website at: www.lozanosmith.com/podcast.

Episode 45 Charter School Reforms in the COVID-19 Era

Episode 45 Charter School Reforms in the COVID-19 Era

Host Sloan Simmons facilitates a timely and interesting discussion with Lozano Smith Charter School Practice Group Leaders, Ed Sklar and Erin Hamor, regarding the status of charter school reform legislation and the impacts of COVID-19 on the same.

Show Notes & References

  • 2:10 – Review of charter reform legislation over the last two years
  • 2:31 – Assembly Bill (AB) 1505
  • 3:26 – State dashboard
  • 7:20 – AB 1316 and pending Education Budget Trailer Bill
  • 7:36 – People v. McManus; San Diego Super. Ct. Case No. SCD266439
  • 9:17 – Anticipated 3-year renewed moratorium on non-classroom based (NCB) charter schools
  • 9:38 – Anticipated 2-year hiatus for charter renewals
  • 11:57 – COVID-19 pandemic & NCB charter school accountability
  • 13:43 – SB 98 influence on NCB charter school funding (Client News Brief 60 – July 2020)
  • 15:49 – State review of NCB charter schools’ success during pandemic
  • 18:04 – Pending Education Budget Trailer Bill and NCB charter school moratorium
  • 19:30 – Charter school accountability components
  • 25:10 – Pending Education Budget Trailer Bill and anticipated timelines on renewal moratorium
  • 28:40 – Charter school location accountability
  • 28:48 – AB 1507
  • 33:40 – Lack of state regulation and implementation issues
  • 34:44 – Charter school recruitment issues
  • 36:24 – Consequences for ignoring recruitment obligations

 

Lozano Smith’s COVID-19 Resources can be found here.

For more information on the topics discussed in this podcast, please visit our website at: www.lozanosmith.com/podcast.

Episode 44 EIFD and Tax Increment – A Public Finance Practitioner Discussion of the Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District Financing Tool

Episode 44 EIFD and Tax Increment – A Public Finance Practitioner Discussion of the Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District Financing Tool

Lozano Smith attorneys Constantine Baranoff and Daniel Maruccia join host Sloan Simmons in an informative and detailed discussion of how Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts have evolved in California with attorneys who focus on public finance and who have formed EIFDs throughout the state. They also discuss available financing structures and explore projects (including freeway overlay and flood control) which EIFDs may be used to finance.

Show Notes & References

  • 5:01 – 2012 Redevelopment Agencies (RDA) dissolved
  • 6:58 – EIFD (Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District)
  • 13:35 – Formation of Public Finance Authority (PFA)
  • 15:13 – EIFD hearings and timelines
  • 19:03 – EIFD financing structures and combining the EIFD with other financing tools such as Mello-Roos
  • 28:25 – EIFDs vs. RDAs
  • 29:10 – Creative application of the EIFD tools in California; overview of types of projects being contemplated using EIFDs including flood control and freeway overlays
  • 36:31 – Upcoming important election dates for voter approved debt

 

For more information on the topics discussed in this podcast, please visit our website at: www.lozanosmith.com/podcast.

Episode 43 Catching Up, and Looking Forward: Student Issues After a Year of COVID-19 and Heading Back to School in 2021-2022

Episode 43 Catching Up, and Looking Forward: Student Issues After a Year of COVID-19 and Heading Back to School in 2021-2022

Host Sloan Simmons joins Lozano Smith attorneys Ruth Mendyk and Joshua Whiteside to discuss updates to district policies and practices during the 2020-21 school year, pending legislation on student retention and grading issues for 2021-22 and proposed curriculum and kindergarten / preschool related issues for future years.

Show Notes & References

  • 2:30 – Assembly Bill (AB) 1127 – Expanded transfer rights to victims of bullying (Client News Brief 74)
  • 4:34 – Education Code 48900(r) – Student discipline for bullying
  • 6:35 – Heightened transportation obligation within AB 1127
  • 7:55 – Changes to conditions for student UCP (Uniform Complaint Procedures) complaints (Client News Brief 77)
  • 10:35 – Face masks
  • 11:20 – California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidelines (Client News Brief 3)
  • 12:30 – Vaccinations
  • 16:47 – June 15th reopening
  • 17:46 – Masks and buses (Executive Order 13998)
  • 19:26 – AB 104 – Student retention
  • 26:29 – AB 104 timelines
  • 28:10 – Pass/no pass grades (Education Code 49066.5)
  • 31:10 – Senate Bill (SB) 545 – Student retention
  • 36:56 – AB 101 – Ethnic studies curriculum
  • 38:24 – California State Board of Education (CSBE) adopted curriculum
  • 38:54 – Critical race theory & teaching about race
  • 42:54 – AB 22 – Expanded transitional kindergarten
  • 43:26 – SB 50 – California state preschool program
  • 44:05 – Virtual instruction & independent study

Lozano Smith’s COVID-19 Resources can be found here.

For more information on the topics discussed in this podcast, please visit our website at: www.lozanosmith.com/podcast.