FAQs

  1. What is Coronado, Pagano & Associates?

    Coronado, Pagano & Associates is a consulting firm specializing in strategic human resources (HR) and labor relations solutions for public education, particularly school districts. Led by Dr. Rosa E. Coronado, we partner with educational leaders to navigate complex challenges, build resilient and equity-driven HR systems, and drive organizational success that supports student outcomes. Our mission is to empower educational excellence by moving education forward together through customized, results-oriented strategies.


  2. Who is Dr. Rosa E. Coronado?

    Dr. Rosa E. Coronado is the founder and lead consultant of Coronado, Pagano & Associates. She is a trusted advisor and strategic leader in public education with over two decades of experience in human resources, labor relations, and organizational development. Dr. Coronado has served in interim leadership roles, such as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, and excels in guiding districts through negotiations, compliance, and equity-focused initiatives. Her expertise helps school systems enhance employee relations, streamline processes, and foster cultures of trust and accountability.


  3. What services does Coronado, Pagano & Associates provide?

    We offer a wide range of customized consulting services tailored to the unique needs of school districts. Our key areas of expertise include:

    - Navigating Complex Negotiations: Assisting with labor relations, including closing negotiations with unions like CSEA (California School Employees Association).

    - Managing Collective Bargaining Agreements: Guiding on implementing and maintaining agreements to ensure smooth operations.

    - Strategic HR Guidance: Developing comprehensive plans for workforce planning, staffing, and organizational development.

    - HR Leadership Coaching and Executive Coaching: Equipping school leaders and HR teams with tools for conflict management, negotiation leadership, and building trust.

    - Compliance and Legal Support: Ensuring districts meet legal requirements, streamline personnel processes, and prioritize equity and organizational growth.

    - Workforce Planning and System Implementation: Designing and rapidly implementing HR structures, foundational systems, and sustainable solutions.

    - Training and Development: Offering HR training in areas like customer service, communication, stakeholder engagement, and best practices for school district operations.

    - Interim HR Leadership: Providing temporary roles, such as Interim Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, during transitional periods to deliver stability and innovation.

    - Root Cause Analysis and Action Planning: Identifying gaps in labor relations, compliance, and staffing, then transforming strategies into actionable plans that boost performance, culture, and retention.

    Our services are student-centered, focusing on elevating both staff and student outcomes through resilient, equity-driven systems.


  4. Who are your typical clients?

    Our clients are primarily public school districts and educational organizations seeking to strengthen their HR and labor relations frameworks. We have partnered with districts such as Alisal Union School District (USD) and Greenfield Union School District. We work with superintendents, HR teams, leadership boards, and other stakeholders to address transitional challenges, improve operations, and align with long-term goals.


  5. What makes Coronado, Pagano & Associates different from other consulting firms?

    What sets us apart is our deep expertise in public education combined with a genuine commitment to student-centered outcomes. Led by Dr. Rosa E. Coronado's over 20 years of hands-on experience, we prioritize equity, responsiveness, and professionalism. We don't just advise—we partner closely to implement practical, innovative solutions quickly, as evidenced by our ability to establish HR structures in weeks during critical transitions. Our approach fosters trust, accountability, and collaboration, ensuring sustainable results that enhance district culture and performance.


  6. How does your firm ensure equity and student success in its services?

    Equity is at the core of our work. We design HR systems that promote fairness, inclusivity, and organizational growth while keeping student success as the forefront priority. This includes prioritizing equity in negotiations, compliance, workforce planning, and training. Our solutions are tailored to create resilient systems that support diverse staff and elevate outcomes for all students, aligning with districts' long-term goals for a positive educational impact.


  7. Can you provide examples of successful projects or client outcomes?

    Yes, our clients have shared positive experiences highlighting our impact:

    - At Alisal Union School District, Dr. Coronado served as Interim Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, successfully closing complex negotiations with CSEA, implementing essential HR structures and systems in weeks, ensuring legal compliance, streamlining processes, and elevating efficiency and trust.

    - At Greenfield Union School District, we provided HR training and executive coaching, strengthening leadership capacity, aligning systems with best practices, improving communication and stakeholder engagement, and building a culture of trust, accountability, and collaboration.

    These examples demonstrate our ability to deliver stability, innovation, and meaningful growth during transitional periods.


  8. How long does it typically take to see results from your services?

    Results can vary based on the scope of the project and district needs, but we are known for rapid implementation. For instance, in transitional roles, we have established foundational HR systems and closed negotiations within weeks. Longer-term engagements, such as workforce planning or leadership coaching, may span months to build sustainable systems, with ongoing support to ensure lasting impact.


  9. Do you offer interim or temporary leadership roles?

    Yes, we provide interim HR leadership, such as serving as the Interim Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. This service offers stability and innovation during critical transitions, allowing districts to address immediate needs while planning for the future.


  10. What is your approach to labor relations and negotiations?

    We take a strategic, collaborative approach to labor relations, focusing on navigating complex negotiations, managing collective bargaining agreements, and resolving conflicts. Our goal is to cultivate trust across the organization, ensure legal compliance, and create agreements that support equity, performance, and retention—all while keeping student success at the center.


  11. How do you handle compliance and legal issues in HR?

    We specialize in ensuring districts achieve full legal compliance by streamlining personnel processes, identifying gaps, and implementing robust systems. Our expertise includes prioritizing equity and organizational growth to mitigate risks and foster a compliant, efficient environment.

  12. Do you provide training for HR teams and school leaders?

    Absolutely. We offer targeted HR training and executive coaching in areas like customer service, communication, stakeholder engagement, conflict management, and best practices for school operations. These programs build leadership capacity and equip teams with practical tools for everyday challenges.


  13. What is your firm's experience level in public education?

    With over two decades of experience led by Dr. Rosa E. Coronado, our firm has deep roots in public education. We have successfully supported multiple school districts in HR, labor relations, and organizational development, delivering proven results in negotiations, system implementation, and leadership coaching.


  14. How can we get started with your services?

    To get started, contact us to discuss your district's needs. We'll collaborate to identify root challenges and create a customized, results-driven plan. Reach out via our contact page to schedule an initial consultation.


  15.  How do I contact Coronado, Pagano & Associates?

    You can contact us through our dedicated contact page on the website (https://www.coronadopagano.associates/contact). We respond promptly to inquiries and are ready to explore how we can support your team.


  16. Is there a cost for an initial consultation?

    We offer initial consultations to understand your needs and explore partnership opportunities. Please contact us for details on our flexible engagement models, which are tailored to your district's budget and goals.


  17. Do you work with districts outside of California?

    While our recent testimonials highlight partnerships in California districts (e.g., Alisal USD and Greenfield USD), our expertise in public education HR and labor relations is applicable nationwide. We welcome inquiries from school districts across the U.S. and can adapt our services to local regulations and needs.


  18. How do you measure the success of your engagements?

    Success is measured by tangible outcomes such as successful negotiation closures, improved compliance, enhanced leadership capacity, boosted staff retention, and elevated student outcomes. We track progress through actionable plans, client feedback, and ongoing evaluations to ensure our solutions deliver long-term value.


  19. Can you provide references or additional testimonials?

    Yes, we are happy to share references upon request. Our website features testimonials from satisfied clients like Ms. Monica Anzo of Alisal USD and Ms. Laura Cortez of Greenfield USD, who highlight our impact on their districts. -


    If you have additional questions not covered here, please reach out via our contact page—we're here to help!