Are New Charter Schools Doable Post-AB 1505?
Yes, it is possible to successfully start new charter schools despite the challenges imposed by Assembly Bill 1505. It’s not rocket science, but does take groundwork and political acumen, in addition to the usual charter-specific expertise and hard work. Hear from successful developers of recent, new charter schools on the practices and steps they took to help ensure their success, pitfalls to avoid, and how to navigate the appeal process if needed.
Presented by
John Lemmo
Partner/Attorney
Young, Minney & Corr LLP
John Lemmo has advised and represented charter leaders and schools, government agencies, and nonprofits on operations, facilities, finance, governance, innovation and other legal issues for decades. John is skilled in local advocacy, and has litigated many seminal charter school lawsuits. He regularly handles charter petitions/renewals, material revisions, mergers, authorizer relations, lease/purchase deals, complex regulatory matters, and strategic planning. John is a frequent presenter to CSDC and numerous other professional and academic organizations, covering charter school law and policy, education, and public agency law. He is a partner with Young, Minney & Corr LLP.
Jolene Yee
Co-Founder
Mayacamas Charter Middle School
Jolene Yee is the Co-Founder of Mayacamas Charter Middle School, the first new school to receive State Board approval under AB1505. Jolene and Lauren Daley + a village of supporters have spent the last two-plus years fighting for quality public school education in the Napa Valley. Jolene’s day job is GC & VP of Govt Affairs for Delicato Family Wines. She is Professional Faculty at Sonoma State, serves on the Advisory Board for Hamel Family Wines, and on the Board of the Press Democrat Journalism Trust. During miracle free time, you’ll likely find her hanging with her family.
Laura Kerr
Legislative and Outreach Specialist
Charter Schools Development Center
Laura Kerr has served as a facilitator, consultant, and advocate for California charter schools since 2007. She's secured policy wins working with charter school leaders at the state and local level. Laura has also helped to get charter-friendly trustees elected to school boards, and secured equitable access to local bond dollars for charter school students. She was recently appointed to serve on the California Montessori Project Board of Directors.
Lee Rosenberg
Senior Counsel | Attorney at Law
Young, Minney & Corr, LLP
Lee is an advocate for educational equity and a strong believer that all children should have the opportunity to attend excellent public schools. His practice areas include School Development, School Defense, Litigation, Board Governance, and Public Law. Before joining YM&C, Lee worked for two international law firms focusing on complex litigation on behalf of private and public entities. Lee was recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine. During his more than ten years as a litigator, Lee developed creative strategies that helped win cases and achieve client objectives, helped clients hone in on and present their best evidence and most compelling themes, used the discovery process and sunshine laws to uncover key information, deposed and cross-examined key witnesses, argued before state and federal courts, and coordinated with media and public relations professionals to advance excellent outcomes in the court of public opinion.