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Welcome to the 2026 CSBA Counties Conference!

This conference provides a unique opportunity for county board leaders to come together and discuss students’ futures in light of domestic policies and global trends. County board members, superintendents and educational partners from throughout the state will come together to gain valuable knowledge and information in three key areas: advocacy, governance and policy; funding, workforce and educational access; student well-being, safety and success.

As the role of county offices of education (COEs) continues to evolve, CSBA is committed to providing COE board members with the necessary tools and information to become effective elected education leaders. The program will feature member-led workshops, micro-trainings, networking opportunities, and more—offering attendees practical strategies, peer-driven insights, and ample chances to connect and collaborate with colleagues from across California. It is a must-attend event for county board leaders!

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Visit Marina del Rey
View the CSBA Counties Conference Marina del Rey Visitor Guide to find information about local events, restaurants and attractions. Discover what the beautiful coastal city of Marina del Rey has to offer its visitors.

If you require any assistance during your stay in Marina del Rey, please visit the registration desk outside the California Ballroom in the Outer Foyer located on the Lobby Level of the Marina del Rey Marriott.
Sunday September 27, 2026 8:45am - 9:50am PDT
Breakout session (attend one per session time).

Even before the latest charter school legislation, county boards had a critical role in charter school authorizing, as California is in its single biggest year ever for charter renewals — and potential appeals. The education budget trailer bill makes important changes to charter oversight that boards must understand for their ongoing oversight and high-stakes decisions they make at the board level — and to help ensure county office staff are prepared for their own multi-faceted role. This session will review the board’s key responsibilities before the new law, explain what has changed and how it may impact boards, and equip boards to make sure they are ready for the oversight challenges, substantively and politically.
Speakers
avatar for Debi Deal

Debi Deal

Senior Fiscal Consultant, California Charter Authorizing Professionals
Debi Deal is a former school district chief business officer (CBO), a retired Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) fiscal intervention specialist, and a former certified fraud examiner. Debi serves as CCAP’s chief financial manager and fiscal agent, she has developed... Read More →
avatar for Louise Johnson

Louise Johnson

Board Member, Nevada COE
Louise Johnson serves Trustee Area 1 on the Nevada County Board of Education. She was born in Reading, Pennsylvania. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Penn State University, a Master’s degree in School Administration from Fresno Pacific University and a Doctorate in... Read More →
avatar for Tom Hutton

Tom Hutton

Executive Director, California Charter Authorizing Professionals
Tom Hutton is Executive Director of the California Charter Authorizing Professionals (CCAP), an association of school districts and county offices of education in their capacity as current or potential charter school authorizers. Tom is a former school attorney who served in-house... Read More →
avatar for Yvonne Chan

Yvonne Chan

Board Member, Los Angeles COE
As the Founding Principal of Vaughn Next Century Learning Center in Los Angeles, Dr. Chan has pushed the limits of education and social innovation for more than 50 years as a school leader, policy maker and the founder of the first conversion charter school in the nation that now... Read More →
Sunday September 27, 2026 8:45am - 9:50am PDT
Palisades, Lower Level

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