Extended Legal Programming...

NSBA Annual Conferenceat the San Diego Convention Center Saturday, April 4 – Monday, April 6

Add two additional days of informative legal sessions presented by Council members by registering for NSBA’s Annual Conference to be held at the San Diego Convention Center. Here is a brief summary of the program line up. Please refer to the NSBA conference booklet for complete information on these sessions.

Special Sessions

Saturday, April 4
Surviving the Road to Damascus:  Religion and Public Schools
Public schools continue to be ground zero in the nation’s culture wars. Come learn about some of the trickiest current and emerging legal and political minefields for school districts and the latest rulings from the courts on church and state. Bring your own questions and experiences. Most importantly, discuss survival tips specifically for school board members—tips that remain useful even as the latest hot issues and the court rulings continue to change.
Thomas Hutton, NSBA Senior Staff Attorney

Sunday, April 5
The Changing Face of Public Schools: Immigration and the “Constitutional Right to Education”
Public schools have become the battle ground for a myriad of social and political issues involved in educating undocumented students.  How do schools handle immigration enforcement raids, the rights of English language learners, asking about documentation status of students, providing social services for immigrants, and much more?   Join a panel of experts including state association counsel in a dynamic discussion of these tough questions.
Francisco M. Negrón, Jr., NSBA Associate Executive Director and General Counsel

National Education Spotlight

Monday, April 6
Looking up at the High Court---What the Roberts Court Means for Public Schools
Join NSBA General Counsel Francisco M. Negrón, Jr. for a look at the first years of the Supreme Court under the leadership of Chief Justice John Roberts.  Examine recent legal developments that will impact school district policies and procedures.  Learn about the latest Supreme Court and federal court cases involving placement for special education students, “class of one” Equal Protection Clause claims, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) claims, retaliation claims, retirement plans and ADEA, and much more! Understanding trends in the law affecting public schools will prepare you to participate at the highest level to improve student achievement and achieve excellence in school governance.
Francisco M. Negrón, Jr., NSBA Associate Executive Director and General Counsel

Bargaining Health Insurance
Health insurance costs are rising as district budgets are shrinking. School board members must be aware of all relevant factors when discussing health insurance at the collective bargaining table including health insurance plan design, cost-sharing, tax-saving plans, insurance consultants, insurance market trends, strategies for explaining options to the union, etc. Discuss with a panel of experienced negotiators from across the country, how to bargain solutions to the problem of rising health insurance costs.
Moderator: Lisa Soronen, NSBA Senior Staff Attorney Panelists: Justin Petrarca, Scariano, Himes & Petrarca, & TBD

Building Better Relationships with Your Union
Are collective bargaining sessions at your district tense and often unproductive? Are you tired of discussing the same issues without reaching resolution? Do you wish both parties could be more satisfied with the bargaining process and results? Would you like to know more about the union’s perspective? Discuss with a panel of experienced negotiators and a union representative information, processes, and skills that you need to improve your board’s relationship with the union.
Moderator: Lisa Soronen, NSBA Senior Staff Attorney Panelists: Justin Petrarca, Scariano, Himes & Petrarca, & TBD

Additional 75 Minute Sessions
  • Ten Practices to Avoid Liability, Connecticut Association of Boards of Education
  • Superintendent Evaluations: A Positive Experience, Childs & Halligan
  • School Law: Are You Smarter Than A Board President? Maryland Association of Boards of Education
  • The Child-Centered Resolutions Project: How a Child-Centered Response to Special Education Complaints Can make Your District (and Your Life) Better, TheWeatherly Law Firm
  • Joint Use Agreements: Promoting Student Health While Protecting Your District From Liability, Public Health Law & Policy
  • Lessons from the Lord of the Flies: Tips and Tactics for Responding to Cyber-Bullying and Other Problem Electronic Communications, Locke Reynolds
  • Improper Student/Staff Relationships: From Prevention to Termination, Oklahoma School Boards Association
  • Preparing Your District for a Natural Disaster: Lessons Learned in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
  • No Child Left Behind: Are We There Yet? Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost
  • Legal Issues with Respect to Immigrant Students and English Language Learners, Hogan & Hartson

The Council has not applied for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits for sessions offered at the San Diego Convention Center. However, some states allow attorneys to claim attendance at these sessions. They will be presented by attorneys and written materials will be provided.