I did not speak a word of English when I arrived in the United States from Cuba in November 1980. I was eight years old, in the fourth grade, and completely frustrated by my inability to communicate. School had always been very important to me and something I really loved, but no longer. Thing...
The U.S. Department of Education announced a new funding opportunity for Community Colleges. The Supplemental Assistance to Institutions of Higher Education (SAIHE) program supports institutions of higher education (IHEs) with unmet needs related to recovery from disruptions in the finances, da...
We look forward to seeing you this week at California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) Annual Conference, to be held online from April 7 to 8, 2021. Attorneys from Parker & Covert LLP will be available to meet with you live on Zoom during the Group 3 School Business Expo on Wedne...
On Saturday, March 20, 2021, the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) adopted the federal guidelines of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) regarding physical distancing in K-12 schools. Students in California classrooms can sit 3 feet apart instead of 6 under ne...
On Friday, March 19, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) announced updated guidance regarding physical distancing requirements in K-12 school districts. The CDC now recommends a minimum of 3 feet physical distancing in classroom settings for all elementary school stude...
On Friday, March 19, 2021, Governor Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 95 (“SB 95”), which provides up to 80 hours of paid sick leave to employees who are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19. SB 95 will become effective on March 30, 2021 and will apply retroactively from January 1...
On November 30, 2020, the California Court of Appeal in Shirvanyan vs. Los Angeles Community College District (2020) 59 Cal. App. 5th 82 [Shirvanyan] held that to succeed on a claim for failure to engage in an interactive process under the Fair Employment and Housing Ac ("FEHA"), an employee is r...
Registration is now open for this year's California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) Annual Conference, to be held online from April 7 to 8, 2021. Don't forget to check out the School Business Expo during the Conference and visit Parker & Covert's virtual booth! More details on ...
California Public Contract Code sections 20919.20 through 20919.33 provide that certain school districts may utilize job order contracts (“JOC”), an alternative and optional project delivery method, to carry out their public works projects. Only school districts that have entered into a project ...
On March 8, 2021, President Biden issued two Executive Orders to coincide with International Women's Day. In a statement, President Biden said: “In our nation, as in all nations, women have fought for justice, shattered barriers, built and sustained economies, carried communities through tim...
The California Legislature is considering reinstating and extending the Federal COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave policies that expired on December 31, 2020. Last year the Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) created two leave policies specific to COVID-19 related absenc...
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 85 into law on February 23, 2021, providing emergency financial assistance to community college students, funding for student recruitment and retention, and support for increasing enrollment in the state's CalFresh program. “As millions of Californians are strug...
Health and Wellness Tips, Part 2 When we become stressed, anxious, or frustrated, our bodies tend to clench up and become static. For moments like this, stress balls are a useful mechanism and outlet. The act of squeezing stress balls repeatedly allows our bodies to release tensi...
AB 992 (Stats. 2020, Ch. 89) recently amended Government Code section 54952.2 of the Ralph M. Brown Act to permit public officials to communicate on social media platforms to answer questions, provide information to the public, or to solicit information from the public regarding a matter within ...
Teachers and school district employees are often left with little to no affordable housing selection in the school districts where they teach, and as a result they often commute from long distance or live with several other district employees to afford rent. In 2016, the Teacher Housing Act (the...
Stress is perhaps the most common wellness issue, but it's different for everyone. It may be caused by demanding work or school schedules, finances, family life, or long-term health problems. Regardless of cause, the impact is real. Excessive stress may cause headaches, lower energy, sweating, d...
On December 18, 2020, the California Department of Education announced the annual adjustment to the bid threshold for competitive contracts awarded by school districts. Public Contract Code section 20111(a) requires school districts to competitively bid contracts involving an expenditure of more...
Due to the Covid-19 stay at home periods throughout the year the state legislature considered and passed fewer laws this year in comparison to previous years. Nonetheless, there are still several new laws to keep in mind as 2021 begins in just a few weeks. Below is a list of several important law...
The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (“DFEH”) recently released free online training courses aimed at assisting employers to comply with new state laws regarding sexual harassment prevention training. The release comes just in time for the new January 1, 2021 statutory deadli...
On November 13, 2020, the California Court of Appeal decided a case of first impression regarding school district liability under the Unruh Civil Rights Act (“Act”). The Court in Brennon B. v. Superior Court, 2020 Cal. App. LEXIS 1077 (Ct. App. Nov. 13, 2020) held that public school districts ar...
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought countless changes to the way Californians conduct business, complete daily tasks, and engage socially while remaining safe. Schools specifically have seen a number of changes in their operations, legal requirements, and financial responsibilities. The process for...
1. Why do you enjoy representing school districts? I come from a family of educators and administrators. Public education has always been an important aspect of my life and my family's values. I enjoy representing school districts because it gives me an opportunity to give back to our community...
1. Why do you enjoy representing school districts? I love working with people who are excited about their jobs. The individuals I work with at the school districts, at every level, are always passionate about what they do and invested in the education of their students. 2. Where did you get yo...
1. Why do you enjoy representing school districts? I enjoy representing school districts because public education is such an important part of who we are and where we are headed as a society. I like the idea that I'm able to play a role in helping that process. 2. Where did you go to school? I st...
1. Why do you enjoy representing school districts? The commitment and care of the school districts we work with is encouraging and motivating! I am grateful that I can be of assistance to the goal of helping students succeed and advancing education in communities throughout the state. 2. Where ...
Parker and Covert LLP, through its Northern and Southern California offices, provides comprehensive legal representation to school districts, community colleges, and other educational clients in communities throughout the state of California.