News from Thrun Law

In support of President Obama’s ConnectED initiative, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) recently proposed a top-to-bottom revision of the Universal Service Fund program, commonly known as “E-Rate”. FCC 13-100 (July 19, 2013). The FCC’s proposal includes:

• Simplifying rules on fiber deployment to lower barriers to new construction;
• Prioritizing funding for new fiber deployments that will drive higher speeds and long-term efficiency;
• Phasing out...

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...

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...