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The RSC’s statewide school safety information policy is amended as of March 29, 2023, to include “critical incident mapping data” in the information that a school board must provide to appropriate law enforcement agencies. The amendment states:
Many school officials have received this dreaded Monday morning phone call: Over the weekend, two students engaged in misconduct off school grounds and parents want to know what the school is going to do about it.
Whether the school has authority to discipline students involved in off-campus misconduct is a highly fact-specific inquiry that depends on the nature of the misconduct and the nexus between it and the school. A school does not have the authority to discipline solely...
Revised School Code Section 1229 establishes deadlines, timelines, and procedural requirements for nonrenewing an administrator’s (but not a superintendent’s) expiring employment contract. Because the statutory nonrenewal timeline requires at least 90 days lead time before the employment contract’s termination date (i.e., April 1 for a contract ending June 30), we recommend starting the nonrenewal process no later than March 15 for contracts that will expire on June 30. Failure to follow the...
Thrun Law Firm recently contributed to an amicus (friend of the court) brief with the National School Boards Association in support of Sturgis Public Schools, which was argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on January 18, 2023. In filing an amicus brief, an individual or organization who is not a party to a legal case assists the court by offering information, expertise, and insight that has bearing on the issues in the case. The Court will decide whether, and under what circumstances, courts...
As we pass the school year’s halfway point, school officials should begin considering whether to nonrenew the contracts of poorly performing probationary teachers. Failure to comply with statutory timelines and procedures may result in an unintended contract extension or a teacher acquiring tenure.
Probationary Period
Typically, a teacher must serve an initial 5-year probationary period and receive an “effective” or “highly effective” evaluation...
Due to popular demand, Thrun Law Firm is once again offering three different trainings to assist schools with their Title IX compliance: Comprehensive Title IX Sexual Harassment training, Title IX Coordinator training, and Title IX Investigator training. The Comprehensive Title IX Sexual Harassment training (or a similar training) is a prerequisite for both the Title IX Coordinator and Investigator trainings.
We still see many schools that do not have appropriately trained staff or...
The available 2023 regular election dates for millage or bond proposals are on the following Tuesdays:
May 2
August 8
November 7
A certified copy of the school board resolution approving ballot language for a millage or bond proposal must be filed with the school’s election coordinator (typically the county clerk) at least 12 weeks before the chosen election date. For the May 2023 election date, that filing deadline is Tuesday, February 7,...
January is School Board Recognition Month. Thrun Law Firm has had the privilege of working with Michigan school boards for over 75 years. We recognize your commitment, dedication, and passion. We applaud the positive impact your efforts have on your students and your schools. Thank you for the continuing opportunity to work with you in serving your communities.
We previously notified our retainer clients through E-Blasts and School Law Notes about the opportunity to join a nationwide lawsuit against Juul Labs, Inc., Altria, and other vaping product manufacturers. The lawsuit alleges that these entities fraudulently and intentionally marketed their products to children.
A settlement is currently pending with Juul and Juul-related parties, including Juul executives. Although the settlement will resolve the litigation against Juul and...
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, whose decisions are binding in Michigan, recently declined to dismiss an employee’s Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) intermittent leave interference claim. Render v FCA US, LLC, 53 F.4th 905 (CA 6, 2022). The decision clarifies FMLA rules applicable to intermittent leave and highlights the importance of clear FMLA policies and procedures.
Background
FCA used a third party, Sedgwick, to process its FMLA...