In its 2018 regular session, the General Assembly made a number of changes in the statutes that affect public education in Connecticut. This summary is intended to give you a brief overview of some of the more significant changes that … Read more
Archives: Public Schools
Subscribe to Public Schools RSS FeedSEE YOU IN COURT! – July/August 2018
Bob Bombast was watching “Fox News” on June 27 when the scroll at the bottom of the screen caught his eye. “Supreme Court strikes down agency fees; deals big blow to public sector unions!!” Though Bob had chaired the Personnel … Read more
CAS Legal Mailbag Question of the Week – 7/11/2018
Originally appeared in the CAS Weekly Newsletter.
Written by attorney Thomas B. Mooney.
Dear Legal Mailbag:
At the end of each year, the English Department at the High School publishes “The Light,” an anthology of poetry written by … Read more
Janus v. AFSCME: Implementation Issues
On June 27, we issued an alert concerning the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Janus v. AFSCME (June 27, 2018). There, the Court held that mandatory agency fees (also sometimes known as service fees) for public employees … Read more
U.S. Supreme Court Declares Compelled Public Sector Agency Fees Unconstitutional
In a 5-4 decision, the United States Supreme Court today ruled that provisions requiring public employees to pay agency fees violate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In doing so, the Supreme Court expressly overruled its own 41-year-old precedent.… Read more
CAS Legal Mailbag Question of the Week – 6/8/2018
Originally appeared in the CAS Weekly Newsletter.
Written by attorney Thomas B. Mooney.
Dear Legal Mailbag:
I understand that we can no longer make referrals to the juvenile courts for truancy, and I have a simple question – … Read more
SEE YOU IN COURT! – June 2018
The Nutmeg Board of Education finally has a budget for the 2018-2019 school year. Difficult as the process was, however, the hard work for the Board of Education was now beginning. Somehow, somewhere, the Nutmeg Board of Education must find … Read more
Office for Civil Rights Launches Website Accessibility Technical Assistance Initiative
On May 17, 2018, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced the launch of a Website Accessibility Technical Assistance Initiative (the “Initiative”). As part of the Initiative, OCR will offer a series of general and personalized … Read more
Massachusetts’ Supreme Court Finds Colleges May Face Liability for Student Suicide Under Certain Circumstances
Earlier this month, Massachusetts’ highest court ruled favorably for Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”) and three school officials in a wrongful death lawsuit closely watched by educational institutions for close to a decade. The court found that while a special … Read more
CAS Legal Mailbag Question of the Week – 5/18/2018
Originally appeared in the CAS Weekly Newsletter.
Written by attorney Thomas B. Mooney.
Dear Legal Mailbag:
Recently, we welcomed a new student to our school. He receives special education services, and we are confident that we can meet … Read more
Seminar: Hot Topics in Special Education
Please join Shipman & Goodwin school law attorneys for a timely discussion of hot topics and legal developments in special education law. Topics will include:
- A year after Endrew F.
- New State Department of Education Guidelines on IEEs and School
Peter Maher to Speak on TLTalkRadio Podcast
On May 21, 2018, Peter Maher will be speaking on the TLTalkRadio Podcast. The topic of Pete’s discussion is “free appropriate public education” (FAPE) for students who require special education.
The TLTalkRadio Podcast interviews authors, experts and practitioners in the … Read more
Peter Maher Presents at Lehigh University’s 46th Special Education Law Conference
On May 11, 2018, Peter Maher was a co-presenter during Lehigh University’s 46th Special Education Law Conference. The conference is a one-day program that provides a year-in-review case law keynote and various break-out sessions. The topics for this year’s sessions … Read more
SEE YOU IN COURT! – May 2018
Bob Bombast, veteran member of the Nutmeg Board of Education, was surprised to see a work team and a backhoe on the grounds of Median Middle School. So surprised in fact that he parked his car and walked over to … Read more
CAS Legal Mailbag Question of the Week – 4/27/2018
Originally appeared in the CAS Weekly Newsletter.
Written by attorney Thomas B. Mooney.
Dear Legal Mailbag:
I have long suspected that one of the students at my high school is a dealer and I would love to prove … Read more
Second Circuit Holds Endrew F. Did Not Heighten FAPE Standard in Second Circuit; Rejects Parents’ Procedural Claims and Request for Private Transition Program
On March 23, 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued an important precedential opinion in Mr. P. & Mrs. P. v. West Hartford Board of Education, 885 F.3d 735, (2d Cir. 2018). In its decision, … Read more
SDE Issues New Guidelines for IEEs and In-School Observations
On March 27, 2018, the Connecticut State Department of Education (SDE) issued the long-awaited and much-anticipated Guidelines Regarding Independent Educational Evaluations at Public Expense and In-School Observations. These Guidelines are the result of months of study, review and participation … Read more
2018 Special Education in Connecticut Summit: Promoting Equity for Marginalized Students With Disabilities
Co-sponsored by the Klebanoff Institute and the University of Connecticut Neag School of Education
Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: University of Connecticut School of Law, 45 Elizabeth Street, William F. Starr Hall, Hartford, … Read more
CAS Legal Mailbag Question of the Week – 4/10/2018
Originally appeared in the CAS Weekly Newsletter.
Written by attorney Thomas B. Mooney.
Dear Legal Mailbag:
I have been fortunate to be the principal in a school district that provides building substitutes and I have often been able … Read more
SEE YOU IN COURT! – April 2018
After serving as Chairperson of the Nutmeg Board of Education for six long years, Mr. Chairman announced unexpectedly at the last meeting in February that his company had transferred him to Illinois. At what would be his last meeting, Mr. … Read more
CAS Legal Mailbag Question of the Week – 3/27/2018
Originally appeared in the CAS Weekly Newsletter.
Written by attorney Thomas B. Mooney.
Dear Legal Mailbag:
Our school has a number of security cameras, which are a blessing and a curse. Sure, it is nice to be able … Read more
Webinar: Opioids and Medical Marijuana in the Workplace: Are Employers Left High and Dry?
Join Shipman & Goodwin labor and employment attorneys for this complimentary CLE webinar providing a discussion of changing laws and legal concerns related to opioids and medical marijuana in the workplace. Presenters will review recent court decisions, the interaction between … Read more
CES Special Education Director Aspirant Series
Shipman and Goodwin attorneys Linda Yoder and Peter Maher will join Robert Mancusi, Executive Director of Special Education and Student Services for Fairfield Public Schools, and Dr. Kim Hapken, Assistant Superintendent of Special Services for Ridgefield Public Schools to present … Read more
NAIS and TABS Task Force Issue Final Report on Educator Sexual Misconduct
The Independent School Task Force on Educator Sexual Misconduct has released its final report, Prevention and Response: Recommendations for Independent School Leaders. This report incorporates feedback submitted in response to the August 2017 draft report released for comment and … Read more
