Zoom Webinar – Monday, January 30, 2023

8:30 am to noon

The Brown Act Survival Training is a series of in-depth conversations with DWK attorneys, focused on how to tackle the most challenging aspects of the Brown Act. This webinar will focus on practical approaches to the real-world issues facing board members and district staff and will include a discussion of changes coming for 2023.

With breakout sessions on a variety of topics, a panel conversation with superintendents and board members on governance challenges, and updates on the important changes to the Brown Act in 2023, the Brown Act Survival Training is designed to provide vital information to board members and district staff regardless of whether they are new to the district or veterans.

Explore Topics Including:

New Options For Remote Attendance At Board Meetings
Presenter: William Tunick
With the new year comes new rules for remote board member attendance.  Learn about the phase out of the AB 361 options and the new, more limited, rules of AB 2449.

Modified Rules For Handling Meeting Disruptions
Presenter: Bill Schuetz
Disruption of meetings continues to be a challenge facing boards across the State. This part of the training will present an overview of approaches to handling disruptions in light of the new provided by SB1100.

Participants Will Also Select One “Deep Dive” Breakout Session to Attend from Among the Following:

Brown Act In 90 Minutes
Presenters: Marie Nakamura, Erin Dervin, Ali Arman
This breakout session will provide a bird’s eye view of the Brown Act and its requirements. We will review what constitutes a meeting and what does not; the rules and requirements before, during, and after a meeting; and potential violations and their consequences. This session is great for those new to the Brown Act, or for anyone who wants a refresher on the basics.

Brown Act For Cabinet
Presenters: Clarissa Canady, Bryan Park, Loren Carjulia
Striking the balance between transparency and confidentiality is at the heart of the Brown Act. This breakout session focuses on common Brown Act issues, pitfalls, and tips for handling business, property, construction, personnel, and student-related matters while keeping this fundamental principle in mind.

Preparing For & Running A Meeting
Presenters: Janet Mueller, Jon Pearl, Jenell Van Bindsbergen
It‘s not so easy to have a “perfect” board meeting every time. Let’s face it, a slew of difficult legal issues can arise before, during, or after a meeting, and they often do — right after the agenda is posted, while the board and capacity crowd are reciting the Pledge, or a few days after adjournment. If you face these challenges in your district, please join us for some practical solutions, easy answers, and best practices.

After the Breakout Sessions, learn from a Panel of Superintendents and Board Members.

The Brown Act As A Governance Tool – A Panel Discussion
Moderator: Gregory Dannis
A panel of superintendents and board members from across California, moderated by Gregory Dannis, will dive into the importance of good governance and well-run meetings as districts and boards across the state continue to grapple with controversial issues that present challenges to effective governance practices.  Whether it be division resulting from last November’s election, potential economic turmoil, increased compensation demands from labor, or new debates about curriculum, the panelists will share their real-world perspectives on how proper and consistent use of the Brown Act can be a useful tool for keeping these discussions productive and enabling boards to complete the business of the district in public.

Featured Panelists

• Alisa MacAvoy (Board Member, Redwood City School District)
• Chris Norwood (Board President, Milpitas Unified School District)
• Carmen Diaz Ghysels (Superintendent, Tahoe Truckee Unified School District)
• Colleen Hawkins, Ed.D., (Superintendent, Saugus Union School District)
• Dana Salles Trevethan (Superintendent, Turlock Unified School District)

Who Should Attend:

This Brown Act Training is designed specifically for Board members; Superintendents or Chancellors; Assistant Superintendents, Vice Chancellors, and Cabinet Members; Directors and other senior staff who interact with the board; Executive Assistants, and others who help build the board agenda.

Registration:

Don’t miss your chance to reserve your district’s spot for this event. Your $400 registration fee includes attendance for up to 10 district officials or employees and an electronic copy of the newly updated 2023 DWK Brown Act Manual.

Upon registering, additional information, including Zoom links, will be sent closer to the event date, to point of contact (the person providing payment). Individual team members can be invited upon receipt of the Zoom link. Team member registration will be recorded via Zoom on the day of the event.

In the meantime, please contact events@nullDWKesq.com with any questions.

REGISTER NOW!