May 29th, 2020Layoffs on the Horizon? Prepare Now!
Public school districts are facing the prospect of significant State funding cuts because of the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastating impact on New York State’s finances. As a result, reductions in force may be a part of some school districts’ reopening plans. Different rules and layoff procedures will apply to different classes of employees, so school district …
May 29th, 2020Data Security and Privacy Takes on Renewed Importance During Distance Learning
In light of the shift to distance learning due to the COVID-19 emergency, the security of student data has become a more pressing concern for school districts and BOCES. This article provides an update on recent cyber threats and a reminder of school district and BOCES’ responsibilities under Education Law Section 2-d. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has …
May 28th, 2020Operating Your Business in the Shadow of COVID-19: An Employer’s Guide — Miss the Webinar? It’s Now On-Demand and Free
The ongoing grip of COVID-19 on virtually every aspect of society has employers of all types facing the reality that business restarts and continued operations demand attention to unprecedented employment issues. The “new normal’ is not normal at all. This webinar, offered at no cost, addresses the key legal and practical aspects of successfully operating …
May 27th, 2020Don’t Lose Sight of New York State’s Permanent Paid Sick Leave Benefits Law
While most employers were focused on the legal obligations associated with coronavirus-specific laws, the New York State Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, new legislation requiring all private sector employers to provide sick leave (including paid sick leave) to their employees. The new law takes effect 180 days after it was signed into law, or …
Apr 30th, 2020A Virtual Town Hall Meeting: Responding to the Legal Issues Facing Schools as a Result of COVID-19
The coronavirus has inflicted unforeseen financial, instructional and social challenges for all schools and BOCES. We have new and complex federal employment laws, changes to NYS regulations, and numerous Executive Orders being promulgated at a frenzied pace. The 2020-2021 budget situation remains unsettled with the possibility of significant mid-year reductions in aid. This has led …
Apr 24th, 2020Electing to Pause: The Current Status of School Elections
School elections are statutorily required to be held on the third Tuesday in May. However, under Executive Order 202.13, issued by Governor Cuomo on March 30, 2020, school elections were formally postponed “until at least June 1, 2020, and subject to further directive as to the timing, location or manner of voting for such elections.” …
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