Revised School Code (RSC) Section 1229 establishes deadlines, timelines, and procedural requirements to nonrenew a school administrator’s employment contract. To comply with the statute, the nonrenewal process must begin at least 90 days before a particular administrator’s employment contract terminates (e.g., no later than April 1 for a contract that ends June 30).
The sample timeline below is based on the statutory minimum number of days a board needs to act before...
As school officials prepare to negotiate teacher collective bargaining agreements (CBA), effective preparation goes beyond merely reviewing budgets and timelines. School officials can set themselves up for success by entering the process with a clear understanding of their school’s legal obligations and the teachers’ union’s interests. Developing a strategy that adheres to the law and anticipates the union’s priorities will allow school officials to prepare clear proposals framed to promote...
The State School Aid Act establishes two student count days each school year to determine the amount of state aid distributed to a school: the first Wednesday in October and the second Wednesday in February. The 2026 spring (supplemental) count day is Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
School officials must strictly follow Pupil Accounting Manual requirements to count students in membership and must ensure that:
If you have ever attended a Thrun special education training, you likely heard us emphasize the importance of prior written notice (PWN). Not only is it an IDEA requirement, a PWN is the best vehicle for evidencing the legality of an IEP or other special education decisions. MDE’s new guidance document...
As school officials approach contract negotiations with teacher or support staff unions, thorough preparation is essential to achieving a fair, sustainable, and legally compliant collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Effective preparation not only helps to ensure that the school’s goals are clearly defined and collectively supported, but it also promotes positive labor-management relations and reduces the risk of disputes after ratification.
Review the Current CBA and Identify...
Recent developments related to SSAA Section 31aa funding have put the attorney-client privilege squarely in the spotlight for Michigan schools. Understanding the attorney-client privilege, as well as how it can be maintained or lost, is critical now more than ever for school officials.
What Is the Attorney-Client Privilege?
The attorney-client privilege is one of the oldest and most fundamental doctrines in law. It shields communications between an attorney and a...
For 2026, the regular election dates for millage or bond proposals are:
May 5
August 4
November 3
Because schools are responsible for any “added costs” of an election, placing proposals on the ballots during an even-year statewide primary election in August or the general election in November can significantly reduce expenses. Schools should contact their election attorney to discuss how different election dates may affect costs and overall...
After 37 years of exemplary service to Thrun Law Firm and Michigan public schools, we are pleased to share that Lisa Swem has retired. Lisa’s legal expertise and tireless efforts in representing Thrun clients have significantly shaped the legal landscape of Michigan public education.
Lisa’s interest in school law dates back to the...
Thrun Law Firm announces the retirement of our colleague and friend Jeff Soles, who will retire at the end of this year after more than three decades of dedicated service to the Firm and to Michigan schools.
Since joining the Firm in 1994, Jeff’s practice has focused on public finance and elections, where his careful analysis and steady judgment have made him a...
As announced in our September 30, 2025 E-Blast, schools nationwide are joining a lawsuit against PowerSchool and related defendants concerning the December 2024 PowerSchool data breach and PowerSchool’s alleged contract breaches, specifically MDL No. 3149 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.
To join the litigation, your board...