News from Thrun Law

Truth-in-Taxation and Budget Hearing Reminder

May 13, 2019

Michigan law requires that public schools adopt their annual 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 anticipated tax revenue will exceed what it collected in the previous fiscal year (with exceptions for certain tax­able additions). This process includes publishing a newspaper notice, holding a truth-in-taxation public hearing, and adopting resolutions proposing and...

[continue reading]

2020 Hard Cap Limits for Medical Benefit Plans

May 6, 2019

In a memorandum dated March 25, 2019, the Michigan Department of Treasury notified public em­ployers of the “hard cap” contribution limits under the Publicly Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act for medical benefit plans renewing on or after January 1, 2020.

The 2019 cap amounts were increased by 2.0%. The adjustment is based on the change in the medical care component of the consumer price index for the previous 12-month period.

For medical benefit plan coverage years...

[continue reading]

Graduation-Related Challenges

April 25, 2019

With high school graduation fast approaching, school officials should be aware of the following graduation-related legal issues.

Diplomas and “Walking” at Graduation

The end of the school year may usher in “senioritis” and senior pranks, tempting school officials to withhold a student’s diploma as a disciplinary action. School offi­cials who do so risk legal exposure because withholding an earned diploma deprives an individual of a constitu­tionally protected property...

[continue reading]

Beware of the Hidden Dangers of Lease Financing

April 22, 2019

We often encounter vendors offering seemingly
simple financing packages to assist schools with acquiring buses, copiers,
tablets, and other school equipment. The financing package typically utilizes a
lease purchase agreement (LPA) or other form of financing lease with a
third-party leasing company. We strongly recommend that our clients avoid such financing leases.

Do not confuse an LPA...

[continue reading]

Michigan Finance Authority August 2019 State Aid Note Documents Available by May 1!

April 22, 2019

The Michigan Finance Authority (MFA)
again is offering its annual State Aid Note Loan Program this summer. The MFA
expects to post on its website this year’s application and cash flow forms and
make the authorizing resolution available through local note counsel by May 1.

We encourage clients to take advantage of this early start by preparing application documents, including cash flow, and coordinating...

[continue reading]

OSEP Issues Clarifying Guidance on IDEA Disciplinary Protections

April 15, 2019

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
recently issued informal guidance clarifying the disci­plinary protections that
must be provided to a student with a suspected
disability who has not yet been deter­mined eligible for special education
services. Letter to Nathan, 119 LRP
4245 (January 29, 2019).

A school is deemed to have “knowledge” of a student’s
...

[continue reading]

Michigan Finance Authority August 2019 State Aid Note Documents Available by May 1!

April 8, 2019

The Michigan Finance Authority (MFA)
again is offering its annual State Aid Note Loan Program this summer. The MFA
expects to post on its website this year’s application and cash flow forms and
make the authorizing resolution available through local note counsel by May 1.

We encourage clients to take advantage of this early start by preparing application documents, including cash flow, and coordinating...

[continue reading]

"Prom-blems" Abound: A Primer

March 29, 2019

Prom season is upon us — along with a
slew of potential legal landmines. Below are best practices for navigating some
common issues.

Attendance

There is no constitutional right to
attend prom. Attending prom is a privilege, subject to revocation for
noncompliance with reasonable conduct standards. School officials may not,
however,...

[continue reading]

Save the Date: Upcoming Client Seminars

March 29, 2019

As part of our service to retainer clients, Thrun
Law Firm will host its annual client seminars at five loca­tions this spring.
Our spring seminars are a 30-year tradition offered at no charge to our
retainer clients. Each seminar will conclude with an attorney Q & A panel
to address pertinent client questions.

Attached to this edition of School Law Notes are registration information...

[continue reading]

Arbitrator: MESSA Cannot Unilaterally Change Medical Benefit Coverage Year

March 25, 2019

In a case handled by Thrun Law Firm, an arbitrator recently found that
the Bay City Education Associa­tion’s attempt to unilaterally change its
medical benefit coverage year from July 1 to January 1 violated the col­lective
bargaining agreement. Bay City Education
Association MEA/NEA and Bay City Public Schools, AAA 01-18-0001-8403. As
many school officials are aware, MESSA changed its plan year from a July 1 to
June 30 cycle...

[continue reading]

Pages