Education Law Topics: School Administration

Articles for school administrators.

Ninth Circuit Upholds Free Speech Rights of Academic Employees; Pickering Test, not Garcetti Decision, Applies

In Garcetti v. Cevallos, 547 U.S. 410 (2006) the United States Supreme Court held that when a public employee speaks out in his or her capacity as a public employee (and not as a private citizen) the remarks are not protected by the First Amendment and may support disciplinary action by the employer.  In the wake of that decision, questions have arisen as to whether various individuals were, in fact, speaking out in their “official capacity” or as private citizens on matters of public concern.

Threats of Violence May Justify Student's Suspension or Expulsion

The Ninth Circuit appropriately summarized the difficult job of a school administrator in Wynar v. Douglas County School District when Circuit Judge Margaret McKeown noted that “[w]ith the advent of the Internet and in the wake of school shootings at Columbine, Santee, Newtown and many others, school administrators face the daunting task of evaluating potential threats of violence and keeping their students safe without impinging on their constitutional rights. It is a feat like tightrope balancing, where an error in judgment can lead to a tragic result.”

Court Rules Schools Must Meet Stricter Standards Under ADA than IDEA

The IDEA and the ADA are related, but they are not the same.

The beginning premise is simple enough:  When a disabled student requests help under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)(20 USC §1412) in order to obtain a “free appropriate public education,” commonly known as a FAPE in education law lingo, school districts must develop an Individualized Education Plan (“IEP”) to bridge the gap. 

Courts Uphold “Ministerial Exception” in Wrongful Termination Case; Religious School Exempt from Title VII, ADA and FEHA; Key is Religious Nature of Employer and Religious Nature of Employee's Duties

 

The First Amendment protects religious freedom and, because of that important right, religious institutions are entitled to an exemption from civil rights statutes that govern employment discrimination.  This principle was at the core of two important decisions, one from the U.S. Supreme Court and another from the California Court of Appeal.

Cyber-Bullying Update - U.S. Supreme Court Denies Review in Three Cyber-Bullying Cases

We previously reported on the decision in J.C. v. Beverly Hills Schools, 757 F.Supp.2d 1094 (C.D. Cal. 2010),  a case that held in favor of a suspended student and  established the principle that in order to discipline students for off-campus Internet bullying, school administrators must establish that the activity in question had a substantial disruptive impact on school related activities. 

Students First Amendment Rights Upheld in Major Cases Related to Cyber-Bullying; Third Circuit Affirms Rule That There Must be a Substantial Disruption At The School Site In Order To Justify Discipline For Posting On-Line Content

Cyber-bullying is a major topic of discussion in every school district in America.  Not surprisingly, this issue is finding its way into the courthouses all across the country, too.

Ministerial Exception to Title VII Protects Religious Institutions When They Hire Certain Religious Employees; Ruling Applies to Religious Schools As Well as Religious Orders In General

Although religious institutions are subject to the Nation’s civil rights laws, a difficult issue arises when a religious order seeks to hire its own ministers.  Those decisions, courts have held, are exempt from the civil rights laws on the theory that First Amendment Freedom of Religion grants the institution a broad right to hire religious leaders of its own choosing without government interference.

Employee Free Speech – Backing the Wrong Candidate Can Get You Fired If You Are A Policy Maker

The factual scenario in Bardzik v. County of Orange is a familiar one.  Jeffrey Bardzik was a lieutenant in the Orange Count Sheriff’s Department under the command of Sheriff Michael Carona.  Lieutenant Bardzik contended that Sheriff Carona retaliated against him after he (Bardzik) backed Carona’s opponent in an election campaign.

Note to Local School Districts Regarding State Mandated Services: No Money From the State Means No Duty to Comply

Two cases decided by the court of appeal highlight the dilemma facing many local school districts when the state legislature mandates that they perform additional services. When that happens, the state constitution and related statutes require that the state appropriate money to pay (reimburse) the local school district for the costs associated with the increased service load.

But what if the Legislature does not appropriate enough money to cover the costs of the additional mandated services? And what if the Legislature does make the appropriation, but the Governor vetoes it?

California Supreme Court Rules that School District May be Sued for “Negligent Hiring”

The California Supreme Court has ruled that a school district may face liability if it negligently hired a known child abuser and then allowed the person to closely interact with students as a counselor without adequate supervision.