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The U.S. Department of Education recently issued guidelines for schools on the use, storage, and security of data generated by technology-related educational tools. The guidelines are not binding federal regulations, but offer best practices for student privacy and security concerns.
Online educational tools often give...
Thrun Law Firm will present its annual seminar for school administrators and board members on current developments in school law. The alternative dates and locations are:
Wednesday, April 16, 2014, Marquette
Landmark Inn, 230 North Front Street
Wednesday, April 23, 2014, Mt. Pleasant
Comfort Inn & Suites, 2424 South Mission
Thursday, April 24 2014, Gaylord
Otsego Club, 696 M-32 East
...
As we anticipate the end of a historic Michigan winter, a refresher on properly counting and allocating FMLA leave in connection with snow days is in order.
The FMLA allows 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period (for most qualifying reasons) if an employee: (1) worked at least 12 months for a covered employer; (2)...
School officials are reminded that, in December 2012, the Michigan Legislature amended the Open Meetings Act to add a website notice requirement for special and rescheduled regular board meetings.
The OMA’s website notice requirement applies to public bodies (including boards of school districts, PSAs, and ISDs) that “directly or indirectly [maintain] an internet presence that includes monthly or more frequent updates of public meeting agendas or minutes.” The website notice must...
Poor road conditions and brutal cold have caused many school administrators to cancel an inordinate number of school days, raising concerns about satisfying the State School Aid Act’s minimum pupil instruction requirements. Section 101 of the Act requires at least 1,098 hours and 170 days of pupil instruction in the 2013-14...
On January 21, 2014, the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (“MERC”) upheld an Administrative Law Judge’s Decision and Recommended Order finding that school districts have the right to impose the “cap” option under the Publicly Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act (PA 152 of 2011). Decatur Pub Schs -and- Van Buren Ed Ass’n, Case No. C12 F-123 and Case No. C12 F-124. MERC also found that school districts have no duty to bargain over the method used to comply with PA 152....
It is difficult to say farewell to three senior partners who have significantly and positively contributed to public education law in Michigan over the past four decades and who will be warmly remembered for their contributions to public education, exceptional dedication to client service, and friendships with clients and colleagues.
Pat Berardo graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1970 and has been at Thrun Law Firm for more than 40 years. He is appreciated for his...
The Michigan State Police (MSP) Criminal Justice Information Center has issued an updated Guidance for Michigan Schools and Their Partners on Conducting Criminal Background Checks. This Guidance became effective on January 1, 2014 and includes significant changes to the criminal history record information (CHRI) process for...
The December 31 deadline for filing annual audits and qualifying statements is fast approaching. School officials should take the necessary steps to ensure that audits are filed with the Michigan Department of Education (“MDE”) and that the Municipal Finance Qualifying Statement form is filed with the Michigan Department of Treasury (“Treasury”) on or before December 31, 2013, to avoid late fees and other negative consequences.
Annual Audits
The timely filing of the...
As part of Thrun Law Firm’s Holiday Outreach we have adopted a platoon of soldiers with the 1st Cavalry Division stationed in Afghanistan. The holidays can be an especially tough time for the men and women of our Armed Services, and it is our sincere hope that we can make a difference in a soldier's life. Although we can never replace the joy of being home with family and friends, we hope that a care package and a letter or card from someone who appreciates their sacrifice will brighten...