On January 4, 2021, just under half of all Chicago Public School teachers failed to report to work. When the approximately 1,000 teachers did not return, Chicago Public School officials warned that they would face “disciplinary action that could lead to termination.” In Pennsylvania, school districts also face many challenges presented by COVID-19, not least of which is the understandable … [Read more...] about Extending the FFCRA May Assist Districts Trying to Resume In-Person Instruction
School Law Bullet
US DOE Says Title IX Does Not Protect Sexual Orientation, Says Bostock Limited to Title VII
On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States, in Bostock v. Clayton County Ga., 140 S.Ct. 1731 (2020), considered whether an employer who fires someone simply for being homosexual or transgender is engaging in sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII protects employees within the workplace from discrimination based on their sex. The Supreme Court … [Read more...] about US DOE Says Title IX Does Not Protect Sexual Orientation, Says Bostock Limited to Title VII
Can Schools Make COVID Vaccination Mandatory for Students or Staff?
As COVID-19 vaccines become available, there are questions about whether schools can make it mandatory for their students or staff to get vaccinated. Both Moderna and Pfizer have created COVID-19 vaccines approved for “emergency use” in the United States. Both vaccines had about 30,000 participants during their trials, and millions of health-care workers will be vaccinated before educators get a … [Read more...] about Can Schools Make COVID Vaccination Mandatory for Students or Staff?
Right To Know Law Compliance More Costly as 2021 Begins
On December 22, 2020, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a decision (Uniontown Newspaper, et al v. PA Dept of Cor.) addressing Agency obligations and the sanction provisions contained in the Right To Know Law. On the same day, the Office of Open Records also revised their fee schedule. The decision is instructive to public agencies to ensure a good faith search is completed. The case began … [Read more...] about Right To Know Law Compliance More Costly as 2021 Begins
Omnibus Bill Clarifies Transportation Subsidies, Non-Public Transportation and More
On November 25, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf signed into law Senate Bill 1216, now Act 136. Act 136 amends the Public-School Code, including provisions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and amendments regarding Keystone exams, teacher preparation programs, emergency substitute permits, NIMS/NOCTI Exams, educator evaluations, paraprofessional staff development, 2020-21 testing waivers, non-public … [Read more...] about Omnibus Bill Clarifies Transportation Subsidies, Non-Public Transportation and More
Governor Wolf Vetoes Pandemic Liability Protections for Schools
On November 19, 2020, the Pennsylvania Senate amended and passed legislation requested by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (“PSBA”) to provide COVID-19 liability protections for schools. The amendment, House Bill 1737 (“HB1737”), would provide school entities with limited pandemic liability protections if they followed, or believed with good faith to have followed, CDC and state health … [Read more...] about Governor Wolf Vetoes Pandemic Liability Protections for Schools
