March 2, 2025 | 10:00 AM PT
Hosted by your Catapult Learning team, along with special guests:
Peter Birdsall, President and Legislative Advocate, Education Advocates, LLC
Sandra Morales, Partner and Legislative Advocate, Education Advocates, LLC
Chris Fore, Principal, Mojave High School
Join us for a webinar featuring Chris Fore of Mojave High School (Hesperia Unified) as he shares how his school leveraged Equity Multiplier funding to expand critical mental health and resilience services for students. Discover how Catapult Learning and EmpowerU partnered with Chris to provide turnkey solutions—including mental health support, academic intervention, and staffing—without adding extra burden on administrators or teachers. Additionally, gain expert insights from California legislative advocates Peter Birdsall and Sandra Morales, who will provide an in-depth look at the 2025-2026 Equity Multiplier funding compliance landscape and forecast.
About the Presenters:
Peter Birdsall is President and legislative advocate for Education Advocates, a highly respected advocate and analyst of state K-12 education policy issues. From 2011-20, Peter serviced as Executive Director of the California County Superintendents Association. Prior to that position, he served as the lead consultant for the Education Coalition, which consists of nine large statewide education organizations supporting increased funding for public education. Over his career he has represented broad range of school districts, county offices of education, and education organizations, including San Diego Unified, the San Bernardino County Office of Education, the California Consortium for Independent Study. Peter started his career as a budget analyst in the California Department of Finance.
Sandra S. Morales is a Partner and legislative advocate at Education Advocates. Sandra bring twenty years of political and public policy experience, and her peers and clients respect her for her background in school finance, school accountability, and other policy and budget issues. Sandra has represented and achieved important policy and budget solutions for a board range of local educational agencies, statewide organizations, and non-profit organizations. Prior to joining Education Advocates, Sandra served as the Assistant Executive Director of the California County Superintendents. She helped develop and successfully advocate for a new role and funding model for county superintendents of schools, where they review and approve school district Local Control and Accountability Plans and provide assistance to districts identified by the state as not meeting performance standards. Sandra started her lobbying career with Birdsall & Associates, and prior to that she worked for the Elk Grove Unified School District.
Chris Fore is an experienced educational leader, currently serving as Principal at Mojave High School in Hesperia, CA. With a background as an Administrator, Athletic Director, and Head Football Coach, he has a track record of driving excellence in academics and athletics.
As an Athletic Director, Fore led two schools to record-breaking championship seasons—records that still stand. He has served in key leadership roles, including President of the California Coaches Association (2018–2021), a board member of the California Youth Football Alliance, and a representative on the CIF State Federated Council. He is also a Certified Athletic Administrator through the NIAAA.
A sought-after speaker and published author, Fore has written four books and multiple coaching manuals, sharing insights on leadership, program development, and athletic administration. His expertise has been featured in national publications, coaching clinics, and media outlets. Additionally, he has provided expert witness testimony in athletic-related legal cases.
Fore holds a Master’s in Coaching and Athletic Administration, an Administrative Services Credential, and a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies.
