by Eric Barba, Esq. | Dec 7, 2016 | Regular Education
In 2016, the Connecticut General Assembly passed Public Act 16-147, which ushered in a series of changes regarding public school student discipline and expulsions. Among its many notable provisions, the new law created changes to a Board of Education’s duty to offer...
by John Y. Khalil, Esq. | Sep 2, 2016 | Regular Education, Special Education
School is back in session once again, and districts are confronting the perennial challenge of educating students with a multitude of physical, cognitive and behavioral limitations. Among these conditions, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) stands out in...
On behalf of Berchem Moses PC | Feb 10, 2016 | Regular Education
On December 31, 2015, the Department of Education issued a Dear Colleague Letter before the beginning of the new year to remind schools of the importance of providing a discrimination free learning environment. The letter specifically focused on discrimination and...
by Floyd J. Dugas, Esq. | Dec 30, 2015 | Regular Education, Student Matters
School employees who fail to report child abuse may face tougher penalties for failing to report such incidents to DCF or the police as a result of a law passed by the General Assembly. Public Act 15-205, An Act Protecting School Children, increases, from a class A...
by Floyd J. Dugas, Esq. | Dec 29, 2015 | Regular Education
A Superior Court Judge recently held that a superintendents’ newsletter sent to parents which discussed a referendum does not violate Connecticut General Statutes §9-369b if the referendum has not yet been scheduled to take place. In this case a complaint was filed...
by Carolyn Mazanec Dugas, Esq. | Aug 6, 2015 | Regular Education
Michigan Forest Hills School District reached a $600,000 settlement with a female student who sued the district in federal court alleging that she was sexually assaulted in her school’s band room by a male classmate, MM. The female identified as Jane Doe was a 15...
On behalf of Berchem Moses PC | Sep 2, 2014 | Regular Education
With the start of the 2014-2015 school year upon us, schools routinely post the class assignments in the public domain enabling other students and/or parents access to this information. Many parents have expressed concern that such posting before the first day of...
by Carolyn Mazanec Dugas, Esq. | Apr 28, 2014 | Regular Education, Student Matters
The way student records are created, accessed and stored is changing drastically increasing concerns about schools’ ability to protect student privacy as required under laws such as the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Children’s Online...
by Carolyn Mazanec Dugas, Esq. | Apr 17, 2014 | Regular Education, Student Matters
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) Chief Catherine Lhamon along with U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)Education Opportunities Section head Anurima Bhargava attended the April 2014 School Law Seminar held in New Orleans and fielded questions from...
On behalf of Berchem Moses PC | Mar 3, 2014 | Regular Education
As this year’s snow-filled winter continues in Connecticut, so too do school cancellations for districts across the state. While students may enjoy the instant gratification that a snow day brings, few are as excited in June when make-up days must be added to the...
