News from Thrun Law

Employee Privatization Concerns Exist in Light of Recent Court Decisions and Legislation

July 25, 2013

With tight budgets, school districts are likely to consider privatization of noninstructional support services and contracts with third parties for administrators. The decision to use contracted service arrangements raises numerous legal issues, not the least of which involves employee misclassification, which may result in serious consequences. In the past, this firm has cautioned its retainer clients that contracted services agreements with third-party vendors are not a panacea and should...

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Reminder Regarding Equipment Financing

July 24, 2013

Clients seeking to finance the purchase of equipment are advised that the time required to complete all the necessary legal documents may be quite lengthy. School districts may only finance the purchase of equipment through statutorily-defined avenues. Two common ways to finance equipment purchases are through either an installment purchase agreement (“IPA”) or a lease purchase agreement (“LPA”).

Installment purchase agreements are authorized by Act 99 of 1933, whereas lease purchase...

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Thrun Law Firm Discipline Policy and Forms Available Soon

June 28, 2013

Must a student be expelled for assaulting a staff member? When is an expelled student eligible for reinstatement? What special rules apply for students with disabilities? How much “process” is due a student before a suspension or expulsion?

Before disciplining a student, school officials must understand the interplay between constitutional due process requirements; federal law, including the Gun-Free Schools Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and Section 504 of the...

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Treasury Rescinds its Position on “Cash-in-Lieu” Payments

June 27, 2013

     On May 13, 2013, we sent to our retainer clients an e-blast about the Michigan Department of Treasury’s position on “cash-inlieu” of health insurance payments under Public Act 152 of 2011. At that time, Treasury opined in a published “Frequently Asked Questions” document that public employers had to include “cash-inlieu”...

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Thrun Opens West Michigan Office

June 1, 2013

    We are pleased to announce that we will be opening a West Michigan office this June. While renovations are currently underway, Thrun Law Firm’s West Michigan office will be conveniently located in Grand Rapids at the intersection of Leonard and E. Beltline, just north of I-96, northeast of I-196, and east of US 131.

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New Attorney Joins Thrun Law Firm

May 30, 2013

Thrun Law Firm is pleased to announce that Daniel R. Martin has recently joined our practice. Mr. Martin, who has over 15 years’ experience representing municipalities and school districts, is currently working out of our East Lansing office. Once renovations are complete, he will be based out of our firm’s new West Michigan office, which is located at 3260 Eagle Park Drive, NE, Grand Rapids.

Mr. Martin graduated from Albion...

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The Michigan Finance Authority Modifies August 2013 State Aid Note Loan Program

April 25, 2013

The Michigan Finance Authority (“MFA”) is expected to offer its August Note Pool program in 2013 with several changes from previous years. The anticipated date to file the application materials with MFA is tentatively planned for June 28, 2013. The application, instructions, cash flow form, and information about the August note pool program are expected to be posted on MFA’s website on or about mid-May. We encourage clients to check MFA’s website (www....

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Reminder - Upcoming Client Seminars

April 16, 2013

  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. Below is a link to the printable registration form. Online registration is also available at www.ThrunLaw.com/Spring2013. You must be logged into our website to...

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President Obama Signs Sequestration Order

March 28, 2013

     In response to the debt ceiling crisis of 2011, Congress passed the Budget Control Act of 2011 (“BCA”) as a legislative compromise to control the federal deficit while simultaneously raising the debt ceiling. As you may be aware, the recent failure of Congress to enact a deficit elimination bill under the BCA has triggered...

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Cash Flow Borrowings

February 27, 2013

Unlike prior years, the Michigan Finance Authority (“MFA”) will not offer a spring 2013 state aid note pool (i.e., the “bridge loan” program). However, school districts demonstrating an operating cash flow deficit between now and August 20, 2013, may still be eligible to issue state aid notes or tax anticipation notes through a bank. Similarly, public school academies may be eligible to issue state aid notes through a bank.

If your school district or academy needs to borrow...

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