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
Archives: Responsibilities
Subscribe to Responsibilities RSS FeedIn Aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Connecticut School Districts Reminded of Obligations to Displaced Puerto Rican 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Supreme Court to Revisit Rowley IDEA FAPE Standard for First Time in Nearly 35 Years
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
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
Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA Releases New Rule Regarding School Wellness Policies
The Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture has released its final rule regarding Local School Wellness Policies under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. All local school wellness policies must be compliant with the … Read more
Superior Court Judge Rules Connecticut Education System Unconstitutional
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
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
State Releases New School Security and Safety Standards
In 2013, as part of Public Act 13-1, Connecticut enacted legislation that requires the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), in consultation with the State Department of Education, to develop school security and safety standards and further requires … Read more
Stamford Location Added: What Every School Board Member Should Know: A Review of Legal Rights and Responsibilities – December 15th
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
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
THE PROFESSIONAL GOVERNANCE BOARD – November 2015
Orienting your Professional Governance Board to Success
CABE Journal
November 2015
Practice makes perfect. Or so we were told throughout our childhood by parents, teachers and coaches. The lesson imparted was a simple, but valuable one. That expertise is not … Read more
Federal Government Files ‘Statement of Interest’ In Gender-Identity Case
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
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
New School Security and Safety Standards Encourage, but no Longer Mandate, ICS Courses for All Employees
The Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) within the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) recently released revised school security and safety plan standards that no longer require that all school employees complete certain Incident … Read more