2020 Virtual School Law Conference: Schools are Reopening:  What You Need to Know Now!

We might not be able to get together in person this year, but our School Law Conference topics are more critical than ever. To help you prepare for reopening under today’s unique circumstances, Ferrara Fiorenza PC will be holding a half-day Virtual School Law Conference from 9:00am to noon on Thursday, August 13, 2020.

This year, we will be presenting two sessions for all participants on the legal challenges associated with returning employees to work in the face of the current pandemic and a school law legal update. Then, we will end the conference with two concurrent breakout sessions on capital projects and special education issues. Specifically, we will be presenting the following:

All Participants Sessions

Returning Employees to Work in the Shadow of the Pandemic: Meeting the Legal Challenges

As the new school year draws closer, school officials are trying to plan for adequate staffing in the face of a pandemic. However, the legal rules impacting when and/or whether an employee will return to work seems to change daily. These rapid-fire changes in the law have led to a great deal of confusion and misinformation about what State and Federal Covid-19-related laws do and don’t do. This program will provide you with a practical understanding of the New York State and Federal laws impacting when and how we return to work, including, NYS Quarantine Leave Law, NYS Travel Advisory, Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and more. Learn what strategies you can employ to weather this current storm.

In Case You Missed it … A School Law Legal Update

While we have all been paying attention to the laws related to Covid-19, there have been other statutory and regulatory developments. Where do you stand with respect to your Education Law 2-d requirements? How about the U.S. Education Department’s new rules on harassment and discrimination among students? Does the new New York State permanent paid sick leave law apply to you? Is there anything new regarding student discipline? Get an up-to-date look at these and other legal requirements with which you will be expected to comply both during and after the pandemic.

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

How to Successfully Close Out Your Capital Project and Commence a New One for Next Year

There are three weeks until your school buildings will need to be ready for students. Are you ready to open? This program will review practical tips and strategies to successfully close out your current capital construction project, and review capital construction issues during these unprecedented times relating to bid openings, health/safety requirements, and handling contractor claims. If you are planning a capital project vote for next fall or winter, we will also review the legal strategies on how to plan and hold a vote during the COVID-19 pandemic and comply with NYSED guidance for expanded use of school buildings to add space for social distancing.

FAPE in the Covid-19 Pandemic

What does a FAPE look like in the age of COVID-19? How will IEPs be implemented in light of anticipated uncertainties for the 2020-21 school year? Are compensatory services in order? The conference will examine the legal requirements of the IDEA in light of current NYSED, NYDOH, USDOE and CDC guidance.

For more information and/or to register, you can visit this link or complete and return the linked registration form. We hope to see you on August 13. If you have questions, please contact us at 315-437-7600.