Legislative Day

Legislative Day 

The day will begin with the CAPSES Governmental Affairs Update for Nonpublic Schools and Agencies including CDE Audit Requirements for Nonpublic schools and agencies and developing legislation impacting special education.

Members of the Governmental Affairs Committee will prepare CAPSES members and guests for legislative visits on the critical issues and valuable information and statistics about the students nonpublic schools and agencies serve.

Tickets for Legislative Day ONLY are not valid for Administrator Training Day.  If you wish to attend Administrator Training Day AND Legislative Day, register here.  If you are interested in attending Legislative Day only, register here.

Richard Schnetzer
Mardan School & Governmental Affairs Advisor

Richard Schnetzer has served as a Special Education Teacher, Special Education Program Administrator, and Business Services Coordinator for the Mardan School in Irvine, California since 1966. He has also served as an Independent Consultant in his firm, R.C. Schnetzer & Associates, since 1989. As a Consultant, Mr. Schnetzer has established long-standing relationships with the California Department of Education, as well as many public school districts and special education local plan areas (SELPA); he has supported many Nonpublic Schools with their California certification and policy analysis of special education issues. Mr. Schnetzer provides support in all areas of operations and management for schools serving children with disabilities and coaching of school management. Mr. Schnetzer served as a member of the California Department of Education, Personal Qualifications Workgroup, from 2007 to 2012. Mr. Schnetzer served twice as CAPSES President from 1983-1985, and again from 2003-2005. Currently, Dick serves as the Governmental Affairs Consultant for CAPSES, an organization that he has been a member of CAPSES since 1971.

Teresa Malekzadeh, Executive Director
Beacon School
Chair of the CAPSES Governmental Affair Committee

Teresa Malekzadeh is Executive Director of Beacon School in San Jose where she has worked for 30 years. She currently sits on several key workgroups including Behavioral Intervention Stakeholder Work Group (BIP) which focuses on assisting the California Department of Education to provide oversight of and technical assistance and monitoring to LEAs regarding changes to the requirements related to the identification and provisions of behavioral intervention services; The California Private School Advisory Committee that ensures that private schools are given the opportunity for personal development through Title funding; Stakeholder Work Group that assists the California Department of Education to provide oversight of the technical assistance and motoring to LEAs regarding the AB 114 Transition Work Group and the Mental Health Work Group that continues to provide guidance for LEA’s and parents to ensure that all students mental health needs are addressed and met. Teresa has been a CAPSES board member since 2000, during which time she has served as president, events committee chairperson, Region 7 representative and continues to support CAPSES members on various statewide issues.

Susan Stuart, Partner
Capitol Advisors, LLC

A long time advocate for education in Sacramento, Susan Stuart has been active in the educational political arenas for over 26 years. From 1992 to 2012, Susan was president and owner of Stuart & Associates, a successful education advocacy firm specializing in education policy issues. From 2012 to the present, Susan has been a founding partner of Capitol Advisors, LLC. Prior to lobbying and consulting, Ms. Stuart was Chief of Staff and Senior Education Consultant in the legislature, staffing an Assembly Member on numerous education committees including the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education and Assembly Education Committee. Ms. Stuart was an educator and administrator at the school district level for over ten years before entering the political process. She taught and supervised, among other programs, Mathematics, Career Technical Education, Continuation High School programs, Special Education, and GATE programs. Susan received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a Masters of Arts degree in Special Education from California State University, Sacramento and has completed work toward a doctorate degree in School Administration at the University of the Pacific in Stockton. She holds California teaching credentials in Secondary Mathematics, Social Science, and Special Education, and also holds a credential in School Administration.

Tickets for Legislative Day only are not valid for Administrator Training Day.  If you wish to attend Administrator Training Day AND Legislative Day, register here.  

If you are interested in attending Legislative Day only, register here.

Downtown Sacramento is a short ten-minute drive from Sacramento International Airport. Below are transportation options to and from the Airport.

Yellow Cab Co. of Sacramento - (917)447-2222

SuperShuttle - (916)648-2500

Sacramento Airport Shuttle - (916)234)6884

Uber

Continental Breakfast is provided on Administrator Training Day, and lunch is provided on both days.

Downtown Sacramento has a vibrant restaurant scene offering an extensive variety of dining options. Go to: www.sacramento.downtowngrid.com to plan your dining experience while in Sacramento.

Old Town Sacramento is a thriving shopping dining and entertainment district located on the west end of Downtown Sacramento and within walking distance. Go to: www.oldsacramento.com for more info.

The Crocker Art Museum is the first public art museum founded in the Western United States and is now one of the leading art museums in California. Go to: www.crocerartmuseum.org for more info.

Sacramento is home many events and festivals throughout the year. Go to: www.sacramento365.com for more info.

Tour the California State Capitol