Congratulations! You just became (with 24 hours notice) the interim Superintendent of the Northview School District. (The previous Superintendent just hit the lottery and moved to Tahiti without notice to the School Board). Your first day on the job your assistant superintendent rushes in with all sort so questions from the school board. Apparently there are some major issues that must be addressed in the next week. You can outsource three of these questions to the school attorney – but your school budget doesn’t allow much more than that on legal matters – so you must answer at least five of the questions. Here are the board’s questions and issues:
1. What six major laws should we be aware of in planning for this school district to ensure we are in compliance?
2. The school board has scheduled a meeting in two days to address IDEIA and Section 504. Apparently, your district has had a number of Due Process and Section 504 actions against it in the past couple of years and they want a greater understanding of these laws. The board wants to understand the requirements of IDEA and Section 504. Please let them know in detail the major components of both of these laws and what is required for compliance.
3. You are also informed by the assistant superintendent that the district has several teachers telling it they don’t want to join the Union. She asks are there any laws or cases about this we should know about?
4. Texas is removing truancy as a criminal violation and your state might do the same. Provide an overview of what is required right now for compulsory attendance under the case law you have read?
5. The student health clinic has been accused of sharing a student’s medical records without their consent. The parent says it’s a HIPPA violation. What is HIPPA and can a school even be covered?
6. The local teachers union has been campaigning for changes to NCLB. A meeting has been scheduled for this Friday for you and the assistant superintendent to address the union, to voice your understanding of NCLB, its benefits and the problems that it is attempting to correct. You may also voice your concerns about the law and the areas in which you think it may be ripe for change. Draft a short speech (no longer than one page) regarding your understanding of NCLB.
7. Another unfortunate issues is that Mrs. Peabody, a student teacher, lost a briefcase of student records from various students when she was out working on grading at the park. The board is in utter panic regarding FERPA and the penalties. Please explain to them what FERPA is, what it protects, what can be disclosed and should not be, and what if any penalties there will be. They are worried about parents filing private suits against them.
8. Lastly, there are two teachers needs to be fired. The first was hired on a contract basis and the district just doesn’t have the funds. The board wonders if there is a claim by the teacher even though the contract is expiring and they are not tenured. The other issue is another teacher who continues to blast the school district publically. They do not think it is appropriate and want to fire him as well. The board wonders if there are any issues with letting him go. Please explain in detail your understanding of the law based on the courses you took in education law.
