KingSpry is proud to announce Episode Ten of our education law podcast, the Legal Lunch Room, Part Two of “What It Means To Serve On A School Board.”
Each episode, our hosts invite education attorneys and school leaders to share how current education law trends and court decisions impact school boards, students and our community.
Joining us for this special two-parter are Bethlehem Area School District Board President Michael Faccinetto, Parkland School District Board President Carol Facchiano and KingSpry Managing Partner/school solicitor Jessica Moyer.
In part two, we explore best practices for handling the public during a board meeting, the importance of confidentiality, and best advice for incoming board members.
“It is a very high hurdle to shut somebody down during public comment,” Moyer explains. Profanity alone or insulting the board or administration is not enough to intercede or remove a disruptive person. “They have a First Amendment right, and we have to keep that in mind when we are making the call about whether or not I am going to have to intercede.”
When it comes to engaging with the community, both Facchiano and Faccinetto take a proactive approach.
“I try to attend every event I can,” Facchiano says. “We are advocating for the school district… you have to be visible. That’s part of the responsibility of being a school board director. When you are out in the community, you hear concerns, you hear speculations, and that’s where you can put some of those rumors to rest.”
As for the rewards of the job, Faccinetto says there are most definitely thankful parts. “At graduation, when you see those students walk across the stage and hear the names, maybe some names you remember from discipline cases, or you knew of an issue with the family, or it’s a student that got a full ride to an amazing college… you know that you played a small part in that, and that’s the reward. That’s what it’s all about.”
Legal Lunch Room is produced by Steel Pixel Studios with music by Don Loughney. This podcast is a production of KingSpry’s Education Law Practice Group. It is meant to be strictly informational and does not constitute legal advice. Should you have any questions about any of the topics discussed on the show, please contact your local legal counsel.
We hope you’ll join us. Listeners may tune in to Legal Lunch Room on all major podcast platforms.
KingSpry attorneys Richard L. Campbell Jr and Jonathan M. Huerta host the podcast. Campbell focuses his practice in public finance and municipal law. Huerta focuses his practice in education and civil litigation. He is the Chair of the firm’s Local Taxation and Assessment Law Practice Group.
