The high school graduation ceremony is the culmination of the K-12 experience for graduates and their families. As a defining moment in a student’s life, the graduation ceremony carries both social and emotional significance. The graduation ceremony also presents many challenges for school officials.
School decisions affecting a student’s participation in graduation can result in litigation. Fortunately, court decisions provide some guidance to school officials on navigating this...
Prom season is upon us ̶ along with all the accompanying legal issues. Below are tips for navigating common “prom-blems” as well as some “prom-posals” to address them.
Attendance
There is no constitutional “right” to attend the prom. Attending the prom is a privilege, subject to revocation for non-compliance with reasonable conduct standards. Schools may not, however, prohibit a student from attending prom based on a protected classification, e.g., race, religion,...
As part of its service to its retainer clients, Thrun Law Firm, P.C., will host its annual client seminar at five locations this spring. Attached to this edition of School Law Notes you will find the registration materials, as well as other details about the events. You may register online at:
Thrun Law Firm will once again be offering State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECH)...
School officials should be aware that while school board elections have been moved to the even-year November election date, school districts may also still place millage and bond propositions on the ballot at the four regular election dates each year (in February or March and May, August, and November), as well as certain...
In a case handled by Thrun Law Firm, the Court of Appeals held that the State Tenure Commission lacks jurisdiction to hear appeals involving teacher layoff and recall. In 2011, the Michigan Legislature passed a package of bills amending the Teachers’ Tenure Act, the Revised School Code, and the Public Employment Relations Act, making teacher layoff decisions the subject of Section 1248 of the Revised School Code. Following those amendments, the MEA challenged the layoffs of three tenured...
As part of its service to its retainer clients, Thrun Law Firm, P.C., will host its annual client seminar at five locations this spring. Attached to this edition of School Law Notes you will find the registration materials, as well as other details about the events. You may register online at:
Thrun Law Firm will once again be offering State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECH)...
In honor of the NCAA Final Four Tournament, Thrun staff were encouraged to show off their school spirit. And despite having a lone “Blue Devil” in our midst, and a few other unmentionable institutions of higher education, it is safe to say that our East Lansing office bleeds green. Wishing...
The Ingham County Bar Association recently named Thrun Law Firm’s Jennifer Johnston as one of the “Top 5 Under 35” attorneys in Ingham County, recognizing Jennifer for her integrity, character, judgment, legal scholarship, service to the profession and the community, and her reputation for advancing the...
Some districts recently received a letter from the Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Professional Preparation Services—Professional Accountability Unit (“OPPS”) notifying them that they have been selected for an audit of their professional development records. The notification letters sought records showing proof of...
MDE recently revised its 2011 guidance on “Appropriate Instructional Assignments for Elementary Certified Teachers.” A copy of the new guidance is available on our website link at www.thrunlaw.com/links.
A person who holds an elementary teaching certificate issued before September 1, 1988, may teach all subjects in grades K-8. A person who holds an elementary teaching certificate issued after September 1, 1988 may teach all...