N.Y. Open Meetings Law Imposes New Posting RequirementsDec 7th, 2021
by Susan T. Johns

N.Y. Open Meetings Law Imposes New Posting Requirements

Effective November 8, 2021, Boards of Education are required to post meeting minutes on the District’s website within 14 days of the meeting.  In those situations where meeting minutes are not prepared within 14 days, the law provides that “unabridged video recordings or unabridged audio recordings or unabridged written transcripts may be deemed to be …

A Delicate Balance – Addressing Religious Holidays in Public SchoolsDec 7th, 2021
by Thomas F. Barrett

A Delicate Balance – Addressing Religious Holidays in Public Schools

With the holiday season well underway, celebrations and observances abound. Perhaps now more than ever, these events remain a helpful tool for school communities to boost morale. However, the worthy aim of these events does not insulate school districts from claims of religious exclusion. In a society predominantly observing Christmas, there is a fine line …

Persistently Dangerous Schools – Clarification of Reportable IncidentsNov 28th, 2021
by Benjamin J. Anderson

Persistently Dangerous Schools – Clarification of Reportable Incidents

Persistently dangerous schools are designated by reference to the School Safety and Educational Climate (SSEC) incident categories and definitions which enter into a calculated  School Violence Index (SVI).   The SSEC and SVI have been revised effective July 1, 2021, in response to confusion regarding a number of the categories, their definitions, and how they were …

New Posting Requirements Under the Open Meetings LawNov 28th, 2021
by Katherine Gavett

New Posting Requirements Under the Open Meetings Law

Under a new amendment to the New York State Open Meetings law (Public Officer’s Law §103), School Boards are now required to make documents available at least twenty-four hours before a meeting – to the extent practicable.  Significantly, this amendment does not change the types of documents which must be made available, it only addresses …

Consider Reviewing Your Code of Conduct To Ensure It Does Not Violate the CROWN ActNov 28th, 2021
by Colleen W. Heinrich

Consider Reviewing Your Code of Conduct To Ensure It Does Not Violate the CROWN Act

The Dignity For All Students Act (“DASA”) was amended in 2019 to prohibit discrimination or bullying related to a student’s hairstyle, commonly known as the CROWN Act.  The CROWN Act protects students’ rights to wear or treat their hair however they desire, without threat of racial discrimination or loss of access to school programs or …

Student Admissions Are Sufficient Proof of Guilt – Most of the TimeOct 26th, 2021
by Allison L. Marley

Student Admissions Are Sufficient Proof of Guilt – Most of the Time

With students returning to school after a year of operating on a hybrid and/or remote basis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools may be seeing an uptick with student behavior referrals resulting in long-term suspensions.  For a student to be suspended for a period longer than five days, the student is entitled to a hearing …

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