On August 11, 2023, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit issued a precedential opinion in response to students’ claims for tuition refunds related to effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Will this decision open the floodgates for more lawsuits? “Like many colleges and universities across the country, the University of Pittsburgh and Temple University responded to the novel … [Read more...] about Third Circuit Ruling May Allow University Students to Seek COVID Tuition Refunds
School Law Bullet
$9.1 Million New Jersey Bullying Settlement Sends Warning Signal to Schools
According to recent news reports, a New Jersey school district has agreed to pay $9.1 million to the parents of a middle school student who took her own life after being bullied in school and online in 2017. Similar lawsuits against school districts concerning bullying have been making headlines in recent months, with some resulting in multimillion dollar settlements in favor of parents and … [Read more...] about $9.1 Million New Jersey Bullying Settlement Sends Warning Signal to Schools
What Schools Should Know About the CROWN Act
On July 7, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed the CROWN Act by a 182-21 bipartisan vote. CROWN stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. If the Senate passes the measure, it will amend the state’s Human Relations Act to prohibit discrimination based on hair texture or style and apply to both students and employees. To date, about two dozen states … [Read more...] about What Schools Should Know About the CROWN Act
Can a School Board Member Block a Critical Parent on Social Media? SCOTUS Agrees to Hear Case
While social media can be an effective and efficient tool to communicate with parents and other stakeholders, its role in public education has come under scrutiny in recent years and has even landed some school districts in the middle of lawsuits. One lawsuit likely to shed some light on what school board members can and cannot do when using their social media accounts is O’Connor-Ratcliff v. … [Read more...] about Can a School Board Member Block a Critical Parent on Social Media? SCOTUS Agrees to Hear Case
Professional Development or Compelled Speech? Petition Claims Teacher Training Guidelines Are Unconstitutional
Three Pennsylvania school districts and several teachers, board members, and parents, filed a petition against the Pennsylvania Department of Education (“PDE”) on April 17, 2023, challenging new guidelines implemented by PDE relating to educator preparation, induction, and continuing professional development. The petition alleges these guidelines, among other things, violate Pennsylvania’s … [Read more...] about Professional Development or Compelled Speech? Petition Claims Teacher Training Guidelines Are Unconstitutional
In The Court of First Amendment Law, Satan Club: 1, School District: 0
A U.S. District Court has granted preliminary injunction permitting the Satan Club to use a school district’s facilities. What are the central issues and how should school districts handle these questions in light of the recent trend for courts to find in favor of free speech? On May 1, 2023, U.S. District Court Judge John M. Gallagher ordered Saucon Valley School District to permit the … [Read more...] about In The Court of First Amendment Law, Satan Club: 1, School District: 0