Merrick has worked for charter schools for more than a decade. He advises on a variety of operational issues, including charter renewals and material revisions, authorizer relations, student discipline, board policies and governance, contracts, facility issues, entity formation, government funding requirements, and many others. Merrick regularly provides trainings on Title IX, Brown Act, Public Records Act, avoiding conflicts under the Political Reform Act and Government Code section 1090, board governance, and new legislation impacting charter schools. Prior to law school, Merrick worked as a substitute teacher in all grade levels at the Kings County, California, Office of Education.
Renewal is one of the most consequential processes a charter school faces, and no two renewals look …Renewal is one of the most consequential processes a charter school faces, and no two renewals look alike. This session's candid panel brings together two charter school attorneys and four charter leaders from across California, representing a large multi-school operator in three regions, a countywide network, an LAUSD network, and a San Diego operator running both classroom- and nonclassroom-based schools. There has never been a session quite like it. Together, they will tackle the issues that matter most right now: building and maintaining authorizer relationships before and during renewal; understanding oversight and accountability trends and what they signal for your petition; navigating renewal data, including how to make a compelling case when first-glance numbers look tough; legal updates on petition drafting; pushing back when the appeal standard feels hopeless; and the hard conversation no one wants to have—when closing or merging a school is the right call, and how to make that decision.
Panelists will discuss how renewal requirements and challenges can differ across contexts while highlighting approaches that have helped their organizations achieve positive outcomes. Participants will leave with real strategies for every stage of the renewal process. Bring questions, from building community support to getting on the same page with authorizers, and expect an honest conversation that includes not only success stories, but also cautionary tales and “what we wish we had known” moments that can help schools avoid costly pitfalls and strengthen their path to renewal.
This fast-paced, practical session delivers a comprehensive overview of the board policies every Cal…This fast-paced, practical session delivers a comprehensive overview of the board policies every California charter school needs for legal compliance, effective governance, and operational success. Every year, the list gets longer—and 2026-27 is no exception.
This updated presentation highlights new required policies like the Senate Bill (SB) 848 policy, emerging compliance issues, and the unique obligations schools often overlook. How can schools ensure a smartphone policy was developed with "significant stakeholder participation"? What is the difference between a website posting, a “prominent” website posting, and a “one-click” homepage website posting? The presenters will cover that and more. Participants will also learn best practices for developing, organizing, reviewing, and maintaining policies, plus key annual notices and website posting requirements.
This session features a slide-by-slide compliance checklist, reference guide links, and sample tools leaders can use immediately. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, engage in discussion, and leave with a clear, actionable roadmap for building a policy framework that works.
Title IX coordinators, investigators, and decision-makers are required to receive Title IX training …Title IX coordinators, investigators, and decision-makers are required to receive Title IX training at least once. Charter schools are navigating Title IX complaints in an environment when federal law and state law don’t exactly sync. Participants are encouraged to attend this workshop to check the box for compliance on Title IX training. Even if leaders have already received training, join this session to learn how to be genuinely ready for complaints that may (or may not) implicate this federal law.
In this session, participants will get a practical overview of the Title IX framework and grievance procedures, including the definition of sexual harassment under Title IX, the scope of the grievance procedures, and the key steps in conducting investigations—from intake through appeals to informal resolution options. The session will dig into the harder skills needed: maintaining impartiality, avoiding prejudgment, recognizing and addressing conflicts of interest and bias, drawing on relevant evidence, and preparing investigative reports that fairly summarize the record. Whether this is a leader's first training or a refresher, they will leave with actionable guidance and best practices for running equitable, legally compliant Title IX processes.
Please note: this workshop is a 90-minute session to meet mandated requirements.
For a limited time, early access to this workshop is exclusively available to registrants who have opted into the Board Member Registration Package. This workshop will open to all conference registrants on September 14, 2026.
