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Massachusetts’ Supreme Court Finds Colleges May Face Liability for Student Suicide Under Certain Circumstances

By Julie C. Fay, Leander A. Dolphin and Melika S. Forbes on Posted in Board of Education, Generally, Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, Colleges and Universities, Independent Schools, Liability, Public Schools, Responsibilities, Students, Superintendents, Supervision of Students

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

Sixth Circuit: Title VII Prohibits Discrimination Based on Transgender and/or Transitioning Status

By Anne H. Littlefield and Melika S. Forbes on Posted in Board of Education, Generally, Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, Colleges and Universities, Discrimination, Employer Obligations, Employer Responsibilities, Independent Schools, Liability, Public Schools, Religion and the Schools, Responsibilities, Rights of Teachers, Superintendents, Teacher Employment, Evaluation and Dismissal

Less than one week after the Second Circuit Court of Appeals held that Title VII’s prohibition on sex discrimination bars discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued its own landmark Title VII … Read more

In Aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Connecticut School Districts Reminded of Obligations to Displaced Puerto Rican Students

By Anne H. Littlefield on Posted in Public Schools, Records (Student Records), Residency and School Attendance, Responsibilities, Rights of Students, Students

On September 28, 2017, Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Commissioner of Education Dr. Dianna R. Wentzell issued a joint memorandum  to Connecticut superintendents of public schools outlining local educational agency (“LEA”) obligations to homeless youth displaced by natural disasters. … Read more

U.S. Department of Education Announces Intention to Review and Replace Title IX Regulations Concerning Sexual Harassment and Violence

By Leander A. Dolphin and Melika S. Forbes on Posted in Board of Education, Generally, Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, Colleges and Universities, Liability, Public Schools, Responsibilities, Rights of Students, Students, Superintendents, Supervision of Students

On Thursday, in a speech by U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy Devos, the Department announced that it would undertake a review of its current Title IX enforcement guidance concerning campus-based sexual harassment and violence. Particularly, Ms. DeVos notified stakeholders … Read more

Connecticut Supreme Court Issues Decision in Munn v. Hotchkiss

By Julie C. Fay and Melika S. Forbes on Posted in Board of Education, Generally, Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, Colleges and Universities, Independent Schools, Liability, Public Schools, Responsibilities, Rights of Students, Students, Superintendents, Supervision of Students

On Friday, the Connecticut Supreme Court issued its long-awaited ruling in Munn v. Hotchkiss School, the case involving a private school student who contracted tick-borne encephalitis on a school-sponsored trip to China.  In its ruling, the Supreme Court found unanimously … Read more

New Legislation Revises Physical Restraint and Seclusion Training Requirements

By Gwen J. Zittoun and Peter J. Maher on Posted in Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, Federal and State Role in Education, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Public Schools, Responsibilities, Special Education, Students

This is an updated version of the original post, Legislature Revises Physical Restraint and Seclusion Training Requirements, published on June 28, 2017.

Earlier this month, the Governor signed Public Act 17-220 (House Bill 7276), which contains a number of … Read more

Legislature Revises Physical Restraint and Seclusion Training Requirements

By Gwen J. Zittoun and Peter J. Maher on Posted in Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, Federal and State Role in Education, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Public Schools, Responsibilities, Special Education, Students

Earlier this month, the General Assembly passed House Bill 7276, now Public Act 17-220, which contains a number of provisions aimed at providing “mandate relief” to boards of education.  Section 5 of Public Act 17-220, effective July 1, 2017, … Read more

High School Sleuths Expose Questionable Credentials of New Principal

By Anne H. Littlefield and Ashley L. Marshall on Posted in Board of Education, Generally, Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, Employer Obligations, Employer Responsibilities, Employment of Teachers, Public Schools, Responsibilities, Teacher Employment, Evaluation and Dismissal

Earlier this month in the city of Pittsburg, Kansas, a group of curious student journalists raised serious questions about the credentials of their newly hired principal, Amy Robertson.  According to the Kansas City Star, Robertson had received 100 percent … Read more

Webinar Recap: Your Guide to Robert’s Rules of Order

By Shipman & Goodwin LLP on Posted in Board of Education, Generally, Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, Public Schools, Responsibilities, Seminars and Events

On January 26th Attorney Gary Brochu provided another webinar in the Board Member Boot Camp webinar series. The focus of the latest webinar was the conducting of board of education meetings utilizing Robert’s Rules. The webinar provided a framework … Read more

State Department of Education Addresses Immigration Executive Order

By Linda L. Yoder on Posted in Board of Education, Generally, Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, Federal and State Role in Education, Liability, Public Schools, Residency and School Attendance, Responsibilities, Rights of Students, Students, Superintendents

On January 30, 2017, the Connecticut State Department of Education (“CSDE”) released a memorandum titled, “Guidance for Districts Regarding Refugee Students,” in response to an Executive Order signed on January 27, 2017, restricting immigration into the United States.  … Read more

Oral Argument Presented in Supreme Court Case Addressing the Level of Educational Benefit that must be Provided under IDEA

By Peter J. Maher on Posted in Board of Education, Generally, Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, Federal and State Role in Education, Finances, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Public Schools, Responsibilities, Rights of Students, Special Education, Students

On January 11, 2017, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in the case of Endrew F. ex rel. Joseph F. v. Douglas County School District RE 1, Docket No. 15-187, to address the level of benefit a school … Read more

Last Chance to Register! Board Meets World: A Board Member’s Guide to Working With Stakeholders

By Richard A. Mills and Rebecca R. Santiago on Posted in Board of Education, Generally, Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, Freedom of Information, Public Schools, Responsibilities, Seminars and Events

There’s still time to register for this complimentary seminar offered to board of education members.

School Law attorneys Richard A. Mills, Rebecca Rudnick Santiago and Benjamin P. FrazziniKendrick will provide board members with best practices and guidance regarding effective … Read more

Register Now for Board Meets World: A Board Member’s Guide to Working With Stakeholders

By Leander A. Dolphin, Richard A. Mills, Rebecca R. Santiago, Melika S. Forbes and Christopher A. Tracey on Posted in Board of Education, Generally, Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, Freedom of Information, Public Schools, Responsibilities, Seminars and Events

This workshop will provide board of education members with best practices and guidance regarding effective board operation with respect to internal governance, administration, school staff, students and the public (including parents and constituents).

Workshop topics will include:

  • Fostering positive and
… Read more

Supreme Court to Revisit Rowley IDEA FAPE Standard for First Time in Nearly 35 Years

By Peter J. Maher on Posted in Board of Education, Generally, Federal and State Role in Education, Finances, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Public Schools, Responsibilities, Rights of Students, Special Education, Students

On September 29, 2016, the Supreme Court of the United States agreed to hear the case of Endrew F. ex rel. Joseph F. v. Douglas County School District RE 1, Docket No. 15-187  to decide the question “What is … Read more

U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Justice Release Dear Colleague Letters Jointly Announcing New SECURe Rubrics for School Resource Officer Programs

By Jessica L. Ritter on Posted in Board of Education, Generally, Constitutional Rights, Discipline, Discrimination, Federal and State Role in Education, Liability, Public Schools, Responsibilities, Rights of Students, Supervision of Students

On September 8, 2016, the United States Department of Education and the United States Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (“COPS”) jointly released new guidance regarding school resource officer programs.  The new Safe School-based Enforcement through Collaboration, … Read more

Superior Court Judge Rules Connecticut Education System Unconstitutional

By Peter J. Maher on Posted in Board of Education, Generally, Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, Federal and State Role in Education, Finances, Public Schools, Responsibilities, Special Education, Students, Teacher Employment, Evaluation and Dismissal

On Wednesday, September 7, 2016, Hartford Superior Court Judge Thomas G. Moukawsher ruled in the case of Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding v. Rell, x07 HHD 14-5037565-S, that the current Connecticut education system violates the state constitution.  … Read more

Department of Education Issues New Dear Colleague Letter Regarding the Enrollment of Homeless Students

By Linda L. Yoder on Posted in Board of Education, Generally, Public Schools, Responsibilities, Rights of Students

On July 27, 2016, the United States Department of Education (“Department of Education”) released a dear colleague letter (DCL) and a non-regulatory guidance document (“Guidance Document”) discussing school districts’ obligations under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (“McKinney-Vento Act”) as amended … Read more

Stamford Location Added: What Every School Board Member Should Know: A Review of Legal Rights and Responsibilities – December 15th

By Thomas B. Mooney, Jessica Richman Smith and Melika S. Forbes on Posted in Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, Liability, Public Schools, Responsibilities, Seminars and Events

For those of you in Fairfield County, we are pleased to offer this seminar in our Stamford Office. Join Shipman & Goodwin attorneys Thomas B. Mooney, Jessica Richman Smith and Melika Forbes for a timely discussion and comprehensive review of … Read more

Register Now for What Every School Board Member Should Know: A Review of Legal Rights and Responsibilities – December 15th

By Jessica L. Ritter on Posted in Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, Liability, Public Schools, Responsibilities, Seminars and Events

Join attorneys Gary R. Brochu and Jessica L. Ritter for a timely presentation for board of education members. This workshop is intended to provide a comprehensive review of the legal rights and responsibilities of board of education members.

Workshop topics … Read more

Federal Government Files ‘Statement of Interest’ In Gender-Identity Case

By Anne H. Littlefield, Leander A. Dolphin and Melika S. Forbes on Posted in Board of Education, Generally, Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, Colleges and Universities, Discrimination, Employer Obligations, Employer Responsibilities, Federal and State Role in Education, Independent Schools, Liability, Public Schools, Responsibilities, Rights of Students, Students

In recent years, there have been increasing concerns involving discrimination faced by the transgender community.  Not surprisingly, these concerns have centered on the challenges faced by gender non-conforming students and whether the needs of such students are being met by … Read more

Register Now for Avoiding the Board Member Blues: How To Become a More Informed Board Member – March 24th and April 8th

By Thomas B. Mooney on Posted in Board of Education, Generally, Board Organization, Authority and Responsibilities, Public Schools, Responsibilities, Seminars and Events

Join attorneys Thomas B. Mooney, Gary R. Brochu, Jessica L. Ritter and Jessica Richman Smith for a timely presentation for board of education members.  Workshop sessions will be held on March 24th in our Stamford office and April … Read more

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