A group of Shipman & Goodwin attorneys will present at this year’s Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE)/Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) Convention, November 18th and 19th on topics including:

Breaching the Classroom Wall – Legal Issues Regarding the Utilization of Technology to Bring the World to Students (AGP)
The introduction of technology and the availability of instructional materials from a wide variety of sources offer school districts the opportunity to transcend the limits imposed by classroom walls and district resources.  Internet content, social networking, and on-line instruction – all provide rich opportunities to bring the world and a global perspective to Connecticut classrooms and students. Yet, many school administrators and districts avoid or fail to pursue these options vigorously due to the fear of running afoul of legal entanglements, or simply because they are not aware of the legal and statutory requirements for this type of non-traditional instruction.  This seminar provides answers and a perspective on the use of technology to provide non-traditional instruction to students.
Presenters: gbrochu, Attorney, Shipman & Goodwin, LLP and Linda Yoder, Attorney, Shipman & Goodwin, LLP

The Annual Meeting of the Nutmeg Board (PEYL, PYB, ISA, AGP)
Yet again, the Nutmeg Board meets and does all the wrong things to amuse and educate you. Their actions will be analyzed from the legal perspective. This mock board meeting is patterned on the CABE Journal’s “See You in Court” column.
Presenters: Rich Mills, Partner, Shipman & Goodwin, LLP and Anne Littlefield, Partner, Shipman & Goodwin, LLP

Reforming Seniority-Based “Last In, First Out” Layoff Rules to Promote Student Achievement (REYL, PYB, ISA)
“Reduction-in-force” provisions in most educator contracts mandate “last-in, first-out” (LIFO) layoffs. With the economic crisis necessitating unprecedented layoffs, these policies have come under close scrutiny. This seminar will discuss political and legal reform efforts at the federal, state, and local level, focusing on strategies for reform in Connecticut.
Presenters: Anne Littlefield, Attorney, Shipman & Goodwin, LLP; Kevin Roy, Attorney, Shipman & Goodwin, LLP and Christopher Tracey, Attorney, Shipman & Goodwin, LLP

Fostering Community Support for Special Education (ISA)
Special education is a highly regulated and often complicated area for parents and school administrators to navigate. Providing effective services in this area requires considerable coordination and communication between and among a variety of educational professionals, administrators and parents. Often, parents and the public at large (not to mention Board members themselves) may have misperceptions about what special education is, and what is required of public school districts. This workshop will examine the broad requirements of the IDEA and Section 504 with a focus on how to improve the support and cooperation of parents, as well as your local community, in order to bolster student achievement.
Presenters: Julie Fay, Attorney, Shipman & Goodwin, LLP; Susan Freedman, Attorney, Shipman & Goodwin, LLP and ldolphin, Attorney, Shipman & Goodwin, LLP