By Steve Adams The tragic suicide of 12-year-old Rebecca Sedwick last fall – following months of cyberbullying by two of her Florida middle school classmates – has highlighed the potential liability schools might face in a similar situation. The mother…
School Law Bulletin Winter 2014
New Massachusetts law substantially changes school discipline procedures
By Greg Vanden-Eykel As of July 1, procedures governing the suspension and expulsion of K-12 students attending public and charter schools in Massachusetts will be substantially altered. Schools should prepare for these impending changes by revising their student exclusion policies…
Can a school committee publicly release documents referenced in an ‘open session’ hearing on teacher discipline?
Rhode Island school committees typically address personnel disciplinary matters in closed sessions. However, Rhode Island law permits an employee to request that the hearing be held in a session open to the public. When this occurs, are documents that are…
RI schools get ready for new temporary caregiver leave law
By Sheri L. Pizzi and Greg Vanden-Eykel Schools that have elected to participate in Rhode Island’s Temporary Disability Insurance program should revise their employment manuals, policies, and information brochures to ensure compliance with new statewide employee leave requirements that went…