A student posted what on Instagram? A principal is doing what on YouTube? The teacher really said that on Facebook? Sometimes it’s obvious when you may or must intervene. Sometimes it is not. Join attorney John Janssen, Managing Partner at Leon | Alcala, for this engaging webinar to examine various examples of social media posts using and practice scenarios. Learn how to determine when districts can regulate social media posts and what is considered free speech.

HB3928 represents a tectonic shift in how the State of Texas addresses dyslexia in schools. The bill imposes new requirements for special education evaluation, IEP meetings and instruction. The bill also eliminates the distinction between standard protocol dyslexia instruction and defines all evidence-based dyslexia programs as “specialized instruction” that is only available through special education. Experienced Special Education Attorney Hans P. Graff will cover these changes and more.

Join veteran presenters and school attorneys John Janssen and Sara Leon to discuss legal topics related to student discipline, law and order in the public schools. This session will include updates from the 88th Legislative Session on topics such as mandatory discipline for vaping violations and new safety and security requirements. Who Should Attend? Campus and central office administrator who oversee student discipline. State law requires all principals and other administrators who oversee student discipline to attend professional development training on Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code at least once every three years. What Will You Learn? This session will include a comprehensive review of Chapter 37, analysis regarding student constitutional rights with respect to discipline, discussion of the interplay between Chapter 37 and IDEA and Section 504, and will cover new legislation from the 88th Legislature.

Plan now to join the engaging attorneys from the Leon | Alcala Law Firm for our series on School Finance – A Legal Perspective. Taken as a whole, this suite of hour-long trainings will help participants feel confident that their district’s business office is compliant with state and federal legal requirements.

In this session, Stephanie Ritchie, M.Acc., J.D., will draw from over a decade of experiences in public accounting to help equip business office personnel and superintendents to identify and address potential weaknesses within their District’s business function. Attendees will be provided suggestions designed specifically for school districts to adapt their Business function to protect the District. Attendees will be provided with a ‘Check-Up list’ to gauge and improve the health of their business office function. Areas discussed will include: Investments, Internal Controls, Purchasing Considerations, Travel Reimbursements, Accounts Payable, Payroll and the importance of Training.

In this session, Sarah Reynolds, a Senior Attorney with Leon Alcala PLLC and counsel for Region 8 Education Service Center and The Interlocal Purchasing System (“TIPS”), will provide school business officials with a concise and efficient refresher on current public procurement standards for Texas public schools. Attendees will leave with practical tips and advice on balancing the financial and time-sensitive demands of your District with the tedious legal requirements applicable to public purchases.

Ben Morse will draw upon his experience working on over 175 bond transactions totaling over $20 billion of bonds to share the essentials that every school district CFO should know about bond issues. He will discuss the bond election/issuance timeline and process, typical bond transaction participants and their roles, common financing alternatives for school districts, and federal securities laws that CFOs should know.

If your school district is planning to build, you need to know about the different construction delivery method options available to you, including insights as to how each works and which may be best for your project. This session will review the various construction delivery methods contemplated under state law, including key features or requirements of each with insights from the field as to how selected methods fare in practice. Attention also will be given to the role of design professionals in construction projects, including, but not limited to, the procurement of design professionals. The session also will include attention to key risk allocation issues in construction contracts that you should closely review when preparing or negotiating your school district’s construction contract.