General School Law
Digital Accessibility: Time to Level Up
Michigan schools are entering a new era of digital accessibility. The Department of Justice recently issued a final rule (Rule) under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) setting technical accessibility standards for school websites and mobile applications. Understanding the Rule’s requirements is the first step toward compliance. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Generally, the Rule requires…
Read More2026 Tuesdays with Thrun Webinar Series
As part of our service to retainer clients, Thrun Law Firm will conduct a series of 1-hour webinars this spring. The Tuesdays with Thrun webinar series will be offered at no charge to our retainer clients. Webinars will be held on the following dates/times and will cover the following topics: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 8:30…
Read MoreI Spy AI
Have you ever finished a ten-minute phone call with a parent, and, before you can even grab a cup of coffee, a 1,000-word follow-up email hits your inbox, perfectly formatted and filled with legal citations? If so, you have likely experienced the onslaught of AI-assisted advocacy. From threatening emails to robotic-sounding complaints and overly broad…
Read MoreMDE Checks Reading Assessments and Curricula Off Its List!
Michigan’s K-12 literacy and dyslexia laws required MDE to provide schools with a list of (1) “approved valid and reliable screening and progress monitoring reading assessments,” and (2) “evidence-based tier 1, class-wide elementary reading curricula and materials” by January 1, 2026. On December 18, 2025, MDE issued a memo confirming that both lists were posted…
Read MoreCongratulations to Lisa Swem!
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 1970s, when…
Read MoreWishing Jeff Soles a Happy Retirement!
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…
Read MoreReminder: School Safety Drill Requirements
Michigan’s Fire Prevention Code (FPC) requires each general powers school district, intermediate school district, and public school academy operating any of grades K through 12 to conduct fire, tornado, and lockdown drills. 2025-26 Requirements During the 2025-26 school year, a school must, at a minimum, conduct the following drills: 5 fire drills, with at least…
Read MoreMASB Endorses the Thrun Policy Service
The Michigan Association of School Boards (“MASB”) now officially endorses the Thrun Policy Service as the provider of board policies for Michigan public schools and ISDs. MASB has announced to members that it believes the Thrun Policy Service provides the most effective and user-friendly policy service in Michigan and recommends that its members join the…
Read More2025 Tuesdays with Thrun Webinar Series
As part of our service to retainer clients, Thrun Law Firm will conduct a series of 1-hour webinars this spring. The Tuesdays with Thrun webinar series will be offered at no charge to our retainer clients. Webinars will be held on the following dates/times and will cover the following topics: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 8:30…
Read MoreLegislative Shenanigans: Lame Duck Update
The chaotic, drama-filled final weeks of the Michigan Legislature’s 2023-2024 Session resulted in the Legislature’s passage of approximately 100 bills, including some that impact schools. Public Employer Medical Benefit Plan Contributions As detailed in our January 4, 2025 E-Blast, the Michigan Legislature passed House Bill 6058 on December 20, 2024 which, if signed by Governor Gretchen…
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