Publications for Sale in NSBA Bookstore

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Key Work of School Boards Guidebook 2nd edition.  

NSBA's 2009 revised Key Work of School Boards Guidebook provides a systems-thinking framework that gives educational leaders a blueprint to create quality, results-driven school systems. This revised version of the Key Work Guidebook celebrates the tenth anniversary of the popular Key Work concepts which have served as the foundation for many NSBA and state association training programs, helping local school boards throughout the country improve their governance structure and develop policies focused on student achievement.Visit the Keywork website for more information.

Desk Reference on Significant U.S. Supreme Court Cases Affecting Public Schools Third Edition 2008.  

A compilation of summaries of all of the U.S. Supreme Court Cases affecting public schools.  The third edition has been updated to include all relevant cases handed down since the end of the Court’s 2007-08 term. This desk reference is organized by constitutional provisions and federal statutes upon which the Supreme Court has based its decisions affecting public schools. The table of contents will direct the reader to broad topics, while the descriptive word index can be used for more precise reference to a case on a particular issue. 142 pages. ISBN 978-0-88364-307-5 (List $35, National Affiliates and Council Members $28). This publication is also available for immediate purchase and download via the Council’s eDocs Store.

Education Law Cases 2007–2008 is a compilation of summaries of selected education law cases for the period August 2007 through July 2008. Presented in topical format, this publication includes cases from the U.S. Supreme Court, federal appellate and district courts, and state supreme, appellate, and trail courts. Case summaries are grouped by court under broad topics such as employment and labor, student rights and discipline, and religion. Topical and alphabetical tables of cases are provided to assist the reader in finding particular cases. ISBN 978-0-88364-306-8 (List $35, National Affiliates and Council Members $28). This and previous editions are also available for immediate purchase and download via the Council’s eDocs Store.

Religion & Public Schools: Striking A Constitutional Balance Third edition, April 2008. In the interval between this publication and the Council’s previous book on religion published in 2001, the Supreme Court has handed down several opinions reflecting a changing approach to resolving Establishment Clause issues. As the jurisprudential landscape shifts, it will be even more imperative that school attorneys understand the law so that they may properly advise their school board clients about how to handle various issues that call for careful balancing between religious freedoms and principles of church-state separation embodied in the First Amendment. 242 pages. Order No. 06-218-W. List $50.00, National Affiliates and Council Members $40.00). Individual chapters are available electronically for $7.00 each, and the entire publication is available for download for $35.00 from the Council’s online eDocs Store.

Bullying and Harassment in Schools: An Educational DVD from TASB Legal Services November 2007. Unfortunately, harassment happens in schools—and the perpetrators can be both students and employees. Knowing how to recognize and deal with harassment is essential in assisting victims and ensuring a more positive educational environment. Bullying and Harassment in Schools, a new training DVD produced by TASB Legal Services, is designed to address the many faces of harassment and offer solutions for your school district. The DVD provides the tools needed to recognize, report, and respond to the following types of harassment:

• Employee-to-employee sexual harassment
• Employee-to-employee racial and other harassment
• Employee-to-student sexual harassment
• Student-to-student sexual and other harassment
• Student-to-student bullying

More information and how to use this DVD. Please note that the text of the DVD is national in scope and not Texas specific. (List $332.00).

Investigating Alleged Misconduct by Employees (Revised edition) September 2007. This publication is intended to provide practical tips for handling misconduct investigations in a manner to ensure fair treatment for the accused while affording appropriate and efficient remedies to the school employer. 106 pages. ISBN 978-0-88364-303-7 (List $30, National Affiliates and Council Members $24).

Education Law Cases 2006-2007 August 2007. This reference book compiles summaries of selected education law cases from August 2006 through July 2007. Meant as an overview, it is not a comprehensive education law reporter, but rather a review of cases selected because of their importance to practitioners of school law. The summaries focus on the facts and the courts’ rationale and do not offer commentary or analysis. Presented in a topical format, this publication includes cases from the U.S. Supreme Court, federal appellate and district courts, and state supreme and appellate courts. Case summaries are grouped by court under broad topics such as employment, student rights, liability, and religion. Some case summaries appear in more than one topic. Topical and alphabetical tables of cases are provided to assist the reader in finding particular cases. 131 pages. ISBN 978-0-88364-300-6 (List $30, National Affiliate and Council members $24). Back issues available. This publication is also available on the eDocs Store.

Becoming A Better Board Member: A Guide to Effective School Board Service (Third Edition 2006). Newly expanded and updated for the 21st century, NSBA's best-selling guide to school board service has been revised to incorporate Key Work of School Boards concepts and to reflect new governance realities, including the requirements of No Child Left Behind. Chapters address learning board service; exercising leadership; working with the superintendent and staff; understanding collective bargaining, education law, and school finance; communicating with your colleagues and the public; and contemporary issues in education--including charters, vouchers, and privatization; student demographics; wellness; school construction and design; education technology; and school security. A comprehensive glossary, plus review questions with each chapter, make this a perfect learning tool for the novice and a valuable refresher course for veteran school board members. 340 pages. ISBN 10: 0-88364-291-3 (List $40, National Affiliates and Council Members $32).

Education Law Cases 2005-2006 December 2006. This reference book compiles summaries of selected education law cases from August 2005 through July 2006. Presented in topical format, it includes cases from the U.S. Supreme Court, federal appellate and district courts and state supreme and appellate courts. Case summaries are grouped by court under broad topics such as employment, student rights, curriculum, and religion. Topical and alphabetical tables of cases are provided. 86 pages. ISBN 978-0-88364-294-8 (List $25, National Affiliate and Council members $20). Back issues available. This publication is also available on the eDocs Store.

From the Ground Up: Legal Issues in School Construction April 2002. As your school district continues to build, renovate and modernize school facilities, make sure you're prepared for any legal issues coming your way. Architect contracts, bidding issues, and environmental concerns are just a few of the issues you need to be ready for. Don't let legal issues delay your planning and building progress. Order this valuable resource today! 202 pages. Order No. 06-184-W. ISBN 0-88364-252-2(List $40.00, National Affiliates and Council Members $32.00)

Inquiry & Analysis First Published January 1977. The NSBA Council of School Attorneys online newsletter on national developments in school law. Subscribe now! With your subscription you will receive free compilation of the presentations from the Annual School Law Seminar. Order No. cosa/w. ISBN 1069-0190 (List $150.00)

Legal Handbook on School Athletics March 1997. This monograph provides school attorneys, board members, administrators and athletic directors with a practical understanding of the various legal issues that affect school athletic programs. Topics include the discipline of athletes, due process considerations, eligibility rules, and private school and disabled students athletic participation. Other related topics include drug testing, Title IX, public school sports and religion, injuries during physical education classes and extracurricular activities, and athletic personnel and volunteer issues. 120 pages. Order No. 06-160-W. ISBN 0-88364-206-9(List $35.00, National Affiliates and Council Members $28.00)

Safe Schools, Safe Communities September 2000. Emphasizing the need for cooperation to prevent and respond to violence at school, this book examines how schools and communities can work together to make our schools safe. Among the topics discussed are the need to balance school safety needs and the rights of individual students, how to deal with threats of violence, the role of the school attorney in response to violence, and how to work with the media in times of crisis. Also included are other helpful materials such as sample interagency agreements, a list of other resources on school safety, warning signs that should trigger school response and sample policies. 98 pages. Order No. 06-177-W. ISBN 0-88364-238-7(List $25.00, National Affiliates and Council Members $20.00)

School Violence: From Discipline to Due Process This important and useful guide written by COSA members investigates such topics as violence and harassment, weapons in schools, searching students in schools, zero tolerance policies, due process for students, threats and threatening communications at schools, school liability and much more.

Selecting and Working With a School Attorney: A Guide for School Boards April 1997. In today's world, it is not only important to obtain good legal advice when problems arise, but it is just as valuable to learn how to avoid legal problems. This book shows school board members how to select and work effectively with a school attorney. Topics include: historical development of the role of the school attorney, hiring in-house counsel versus an outside attorney, and the selection, recruitment and retention of legal counsel. Additional topics include ethical issues in school board representation, evaluation and termination of school district counsel, the school attorney as a preventive law practitioner, and working effectively with the school attorney. The appendices include sample policies, forms, agreements and checklists. 142 pages. Order No. 06-162-W. ISBN 0-88364-209-3(List $35.00, National Affiliates and Council Members $28.00)

Sexual Harassment by School Employees March 2001. School leaders and school lawyers faced with the task of preventing and responding to allegations of sexual harassment by employees will find the information they need in this monograph. Covering harassment that occurs between employees as well as employee harassment of students, it discusses current federal case law, effective policy development, how to conduct internal investigations, training advice and resources and agency (OCR and EEOC) investigations. The appendices contain many useful documents including regulations, agency guidance, sample policies and checklists. 228 pages. Order No. 06-176-W. ISBN 0-88364-237-9(List $35.00, National Affiliates and Council Members $28.00)

Student-to-Student Sexual Harassment: A Legal Guide for Schools March 2000. Addressing a complex legal and social issue, this monograph provides the school law practitioner and school leaders with information on how to prevent, respond to, analyze and defend student-to-student harassment claims. In addition to discussing federal case law, it includes a section on policy development, advice on conducting investigations, tips for training, and analysis of the Office of Civil Rights' guidelines and appendices containing OCR documents, sample policies, forms, and helpful checklists. 192 pages. Order No. 06-166A-W. ISBN 0-88364-235-2(List $35.00, National Affiliates and Council Members $28.00)

Termination of School Employees: Legal Issues and Techniques April 1997. Disputes over employee termination are one of the most common legal problems faced by schools. To assist school attorneys and officials in handling these disputes, this monograph addresses the legal issues and suggests effective techniques associated with proper termination of school employees. Topics include employment, employee performance documentation, evaluation, remediation, settlement agreements, public employee speech and off-duty conduct, and the termination of drug/alcohol abusers. 316 pages. Order No. 06-163-W. ISBN 0-88364-210-7(List $35.00, National Affiliates and Council Members $28.00)

Understanding and Limiting School Board Member Liability October 2002. This book, now in its fourth edition, serves as primer for both school board members and school attorneys on board member liability issues. Using layman's terms, this version expands beyond the focus of former editions on Section 1983 liability to include explanations of how our legal system works, board member liability under state tort law, legal defenses and immunities against liability and a special section on how to avoid and minimize board member liability. Each chapter is followed by checklists to help readers review and remember key points. 100 pages. Order No. 06-187-W. ISBN 0-88364-261-1(List $15.00, National Affiliates and Council Members $12.00)