PIA Essentials: Bids, Bidding, and Bidders
You can bet that bidders will bristle when they’ve been out-bid, but thanks to the Public Information Act, their bark is worse than their bite. Buy yourself some peace of mind with this 30-minute essentials training, which will cover the basics of PIA requests for bidding documents. Learn when and why you can sometimes keep…
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On the Front Lines: Legal Issues Confronting Superintendent Secretaries
Designed especially for Superintendent Secretaries who need to be in the office, our webinar series is packed with information vital to the unique responsibilities of the increasingly demanding position. Part 1: The Open Meetings Act, Board Meetings and Trustee Demands, and District Liability Part 2: The Public Information Act, Student Records and FERPA, and Record Retention Practices…
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Construction Procurement Webcast Series
The Rise of the Procurist If you only attend one construction procurement series this year, this is the one to choose. This training will elevate your purchasing competence and confidence. Whether you are new to construction procurement or it has been a while since your last project, you will get the foundation you need to... read more
Legal Issues for Superintendent Searches
Your district is in the market for a new superintendent. Many of us have never participated in a superintendent search. What are the legal parameters and potential pitfalls? Where do you begin and what are your legal options? Learn the honest truth about hiring a new superintendent from a school attorney who does not do…
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Insurance Checkup: Being Prepared for the Inevitable Emergency
Many districts have to contend with emergencies arising from property damage caused by weather. Frequently, the emergency is made worse by an insurance company’s denial of the district’s insurance claim. We are going to discuss three action items you can implement right now to put your district in the best position to deal with an…
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All About 313 Agreements: From Wind Farms to Cryptomining
Business in Texas is booming, and with new companies moving in, 313 agreements between businesses and school districts for tax breaks are becoming more and more popular. What are they, and what does my district need to know if we’re approached to enter into one? We’ll discuss the typical types of agreements from wind farms…
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Legal Issues for New Technology Applications Webcast
Whether it’s Facebook or Twitter, Google Docs or Evernote, new technology applications have legal and operational effects on schools. The impact of new technologies and apps are especially important for one-to-one and BYOD schools. Cloud computing applications pose additional legal complications. We have been asked to offer training sessions to help districts identify the issues…
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Book Selection and Reconsideration
Book Selection and Reconsideration Library books have gotten a lot of attention recently. People from outside of your district are looking over your library collection with a fine tooth comb. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission sets the standards for school libraries, and courts issue opinions about students’ right to read. How do the... read more
Student Search and Seizure
Anyone who has ever watched a police show on television is familiar with the Fourth Amendment. The general public is now aware of required Miranda warnings and that the people have rights not to be subject to unreasonable searches. Likewise, school officials do not exercise unfettered control over students or others on their campuses. While... read more
Disciplining Student Vaping
There has been a sharp uptick in incidences of students being caught vaping or with vape pens on campus. With the new questions in Texas surrounding marijuana versus THC in vape pens, the ever-expanding laws cracking down on smoking, and vape pens becoming physically smaller it’s hard to know the ins and outs of what... read more