The theme for the next ACSA Negotiators’ Symposium has been announced: “Negotiating with 2020 Vision.” Attendees at this annual conference are sure to get a clearer picture of how new laws will impact schools and labor negotiations.  “There have been a number of legislative and recent court decisions that have a direct effect on negotiations with our labor associations,” said Cindy Frazee, Associate Superintendent HR in San Dieguito UHSD and president of ACSA’s Human Resources Council. “As Human Resources administrators it is imperative that we are aware of the implications of these at the bargaining table. The Negotiators’ Symposium allows the participants to hear what is being discussed at the negotiations tables around the state, which assists in preparing districts for their own negotiations.” Interactive workshop sessions presented by practitioners, consultants and attorneys will give attendees access to the latest legal advice. Session topics will include trends in negotiations, (i.e., negotiating issues around special education), establishing relationships with employee associations, how to communicate about district budgets during negotiations, and dealing with difficult negotiations, to name a few. Negotiators’ Symposium is particularly useful when multiple district representatives involved with negotiations attend, which can include board members, superintendents and administrators with expertise in HR, personnel, curriculum, finance and public relations. “This is a great conference to bring your entire negotiations team so they can learn together and effectively plan for negotiations in your district,” Frazee said.  ACSA Legislative Advocate Laura Preston has been watching several bills this session that are likely to show up on the bargaining table. Here are five newly signed bills that are sure to be hot topics at this year’s symposium, as selected by Preston: AB 5 (Gonzales): This bill reclassifies independent contractors as employees in a number of areas. The so-called “gig worker” bill grabbed plenty of headlines this session as companies like Uber and Doordash mounted efforts to defeat it, but it is likely to affect a number of industries, including education. “I think schools will ultimately be impacted and this is going to raise a lot of issues around negotiations,” Preston said. SB 390 (Umberg): Requires districts to pay for school security officers and guards school training during their work day. AB 218 (Gonzales): Expands childhood sexual assault statute of limitations. AB 1353 (Wicks): Reduces the probationary period to six months for classified employees in non-merit districts.  SB 328 (Portantino): Requires middle and high schools to begin no earlier than 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. respectively. During the Negotiators’ Symposium, the ACSA Human Resources Council honors one individual with the Negotiator of the Year award. This recognition is awarded to an ACSA member serving as chief negotiator for a school district or county office as a full-time employee of that district. Nomination must be submitted by the superintendent, district negotiating team members, and/or current human resources council members. Nominee must be a person having distinguished themselves for outstanding contribution in the area of labor relations and negotiations at the district, regional and state levels. Applicants who are actively involved and a contributing participant in ACSA region/state Human Resources activities and functions are strongly desired. Letters of support are strongly encouraged, but not required. For more information on selection criteria and to fill out the nomination form, visit . Nominations are due by Nov. 15, 2019.

What: Interactive workshop sessions presented by practitioners, consultants and attorneys that will offer information and insight into issues and laws confronting HR departments. When: Jan. 22-24, 2020 Where: Westin San Diego Cost: $529 ACSA members, $749 non-members; one day rates also available Register: