The California Department of Education offered several insights into the development of its guidance for safely reopening schools during a May 21 webinar, with the department planning to release the document in the “days to weeks to come.” At the meeting’s outset, State Superintendent of […]
Category: Effective Governance
Effective Governance
COVID-19 webinar explores legal, policy and instructional aspects of special education
Of all the challenges faced by local educational agencies during the COVID-19 crisis, questions around providing services and learning opportunities to students with disabilities have been at the top of the list. Absent waivers to requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, schools have […]
Board policies, without delay
School closures due to the spread of COVID-19 have affected nearly every aspect of school, district and county office of education operations. Under these unique circumstances, governing board members and staff may find that they are consulting their board policies and administrative regulations more often, […]
CSBA webinar provides guidance on board meetings and Brown Act waivers during stay-at-home order
The second in a series of CSBA webinars to help governance teams best navigate the uncertainty of school closures caused by the novel coronavirus focused on how board meetings can best be conducted while adhering to still-active Brown Act requirements. “Open Board Meetings in a […]
CEO’s note: A message of hope in the time of coronavirus
In January 2020, CSBA’s Board of Directors was participating in a retreat when one of the directors asked me, “What keeps you up at night?” I chuckled, and then went on to say, “the list is long, but here are a few things…” I then […]
Conducting remote school board meetings: What board members should know
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed daily life in California, including how the public’s business is conducted at school district and county office of education board meetings. For some board members, the idea of discussing agenda items in person, with members of the public sitting […]
Board member electronic communications in the virtual world of COVID-19
California’s stay-at-home order and social distancing requirements imposed to maintain the health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic have created a virtual world for most, including governing board members. Given that board members are increasingly, and perhaps solely, using electronic means during this time to […]
President’s Message: Facing our greatest challenge together
By CSBA President Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez I am writing this message in a time of great uncertainty, not just for public education, but for our everyday lives as we face the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. I want to commend my fellow trustees — as well as administrators, […]
Existing board policy can aid in preparing and responding to emergencies: BP/AR 3516 – Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness Plan
As districts and county offices of education navigate the daily-changing landscape of providing education to students while shelter-in-place orders are extended, leadership teams should look at their existing policies and plans that pertain to emergencies. Over the last few years, many local educational agencies have […]
Boards may meet without a physical meeting space for the public, and may receive updates on COVID-19 from officials
On March 17, 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a second executive order impacting meetings held by school district and county office of education boards. Executive Order N-29-20 superseded paragraph 11 of the March 12, 2020, Executive Order N-25-20, which required local educational agencies to provide […]