Can’t We All Just Get Along?  Strong Authorizer Relationships After AB 1505

Janelle Ruley has been an ardent charter rights advocate and has assisted in the establishment and renewal of hundreds of charter schools. Janelle’s primary focus is on charter development, renewal, and revocation defense. She has represented charter schools in numerous venues, including before administrative agencies, the courts, school districts, county BOE, and the State BOE. Janelle regularly counsels’ clients regarding charter development, negotiations with granting agencies, compliance with public transparency laws and related policy development, as well as Local Control Funding Formula/LCAP issues, student admissions, lottery requirements, and a wide range of school safety issues.

YM&C Partner Jerry Simmons has represented charter schools in every aspect of their operations for more than nineteen years. Between his work at the firm and the Charter Schools Development Center, Jerry has personally assisted in the development of hundreds of California’s charter schools through drafting charter petitions, memorandums of understanding for business and special education services, facilities use agreements, private leases, property purchases, and development of school policies covering every facet of charter school operations. Jerry has also assisted charter schools with employment and labor law matters, board governance and training, and zoning and building code compliance.

Ms. Hartsuyker joined the Ventura County Office of Education team in 2017 as the Director of Charter School Support and Oversight, where she directly oversees five VCOE sponsored charter schools and provides support to the other Ventura County charter schools and their sponsoring districts. Ms. Hartsuyker was the Lead Petitioner and Founder of the MATES Charter in Thousand Oaks. As the Founding Board President, Ms. Hartsuyker was actively engaged in all aspects of charter school governance and operation. Ms. Hartsuyker’s background as a practicing attorney provides valuable insight and familiarity with the laws and regulations that apply to charter schools.