News from Thrun Law

New Department of Labor Rules Will Impact Salaried Non-Instructional Employees

June 20, 2016

On May 18, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor announced final rule changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act that significantly increase the salary amount an employee must earn to meet the administrative and executive exemptions from overtime pay. The final rule, however, does not make any changes to the “duties test” that also must be satisfied for administrative and executive salaried employees to be considered exempt. While these rule changes do not take effect until December 1, 2016...

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2016 Michigan Finance Authority State Aid Note Loan Program

June 13, 2016

The Michigan Finance Authority’s (“MFA”) August state aid note pool application materials, including the loan application, cash flow form, instructions, and calendar, are now available on MFA’s website at www.michigan.gov/mfa. Click on “Finance Programs,” located on the left-hand...

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Thrun Evaluation Tracker: Evaluation Appeals and Common Evaluation Mistakes in 2015-16

June 6, 2016

Since January of this year, our Thrun Evaluation Tracker articles have addressed the performance eval­uation system under Section 1249 of the Revised School Code. As the school year comes to a close, administrators may receive an appeal or protest from a teacher regarding a teacher’s evaluation. Section 1249 provides a narrow appeal procedure for certain teachers. Outlined below are the appeals process and common mistakes to avoid during the evaluation process.

Evaluation...

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Truth-in-Taxation and Budget Hearing Reminder

May 23, 2016

Michigan law requires that public schools adopt their budgets before the beginning of the fiscal year (July 1). A taxing entity, including a school district or ISD, must follow a “truth-in-taxation” process if its tax revenue will exceed what it collected in the prior fiscal year (with exceptions for certain taxable additions). This process includes a newspaper notice, a truth-in-taxation public hearing, and resolutions proposing and adopting additional millage rates. A school district or...

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Evaluation Tracker: The Evaluation Tool, Posting Requirements, and Training Requirements for 2016-17

May 16, 2016

On November 5, 2015, the Legislature enacted PA 173 which requires school districts to take specific action during the summer months to remain compliant with Section 1249 of the Revised School Code. School administrators must plan ahead to effectively implement the new mandates, and should prioritize this project to have all...

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Final Exit: Voluntary Severance Plans

May 9, 2016

Voluntary severance plans (“VSPs”) or early retirement incentive plans are a valuable tool schools can use to adapt to their changing workforce needs. Generally, VSPs offer a financial incentive to qualified employees in exchange for their resignation. VSPs are typically offered to individuals who meet contractually prescribed years...

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Probationary Teacher Nonrenewal Reminder

May 2, 2016

As the end of the school year quickly approaches, school administrators are reminded that they must make important personnel decisions about the contin­ued employment of probationary teachers and follow the timelines and procedures to nonrenew a proba­tionary teacher’s contract. Acting outside of those timelines and procedures may...

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Avoid Graduation-Related Legal Disputes

April 28, 2016

High school graduation season is fast approaching. Because of the emotional and social significance at­tached to this important milestone, school officials should be prepared to prevent and resolve legal dis­putes. Appropriate policies and a general understanding of the applicable legal standard can guide school officials through graduation-related challenges.

Diplomas and "Walking"

School officials should not deny diplomas as a means of disciplining students who have...

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Buyer Beware: The Hidden Dangers of Bus and Copier Lease Financing

April 2, 2016

School officials often encounter vendors offering seemingly simple financing packages to assist schools with paying for buses, copiers, or other school equip­ment. Those financing packages should be evaluated carefully because they may contain unfavorable or illegal provisions.

A financing package typically uses a lease purchase agreement (“LPA”) or other form of lease financing with a third-party financing company. Under an LPA, a school avoids creating a debt obliga­tion by pledging...

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Thrun Evaluation Tracker: Goal Setting and Terminating Ineffective Teachers

April 1, 2016

After returning from spring break, school administrators face the daunting task of wrapping up teacher evaluations and making difficult personnel decisions. Recent changes in the law will affect those decisions.

Wrapping Up Year-End Evaluations

The Revised School Code requires that a teacher’s annual year-end evaluation include specific perfor­mance goals that will assist in improving the teacher’s effectiveness for the next school year. To comply, ad­...

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