Legal Digest Newsletter Archives
Feature Article
WHAT ADMINISTRATORS NEED TO KNOW TO AVOID RETALIATION CLAIMS
Ima Stayin, a third-year probationary contract teacher at your school, has noticeably declined in her classroom performance for unknown reasons. You, Able Admin, have conducted observations, placed Ima on a growth plan, and visited with her on several informal occasions in an attempt to remediate her performance. At your last meeting before the holidays, you [...]
Law Dawg
DEAR DAWG: Snort, here. Rip Snort. Intrepid Reporter and Friend of the Truth. Dawg, it has come to the attention of this Hard Nosed Reporter that the Texas Education Agency has established The Office of General Inquiry. Of course we wondered, what in the name of Monty Python is The Office of General Inquiry??? We [...]
Legal Developments
Land Use TO WHAT EXTENT CAN SUPERINTENDENTS DETERMINE SCHOOL DISTRICT LAND USE? Case citation: Wilson v. Dripping Springs ISD, Dkt. No. 006- R10-1011 (Comm’r Educ. December 19, 2013). Summary: The Dripping Springs Independent School District’s superintendent redesignated a portion of the Dripping Springs Middle School Campus for use as a new office site and for [...]
Legal Developments
Discrimination THE EMPLOYEE FAILED TO STATE DISCRIMINATION AND RETALIATION CLAIMS Case citation: Thornton v. Dallas ISD, 2014 WL 46398 (N.D. Tex. 2014) (unpublished). Summary: Wendell James Thornton worked for the Dallas Independent School District, until he was placed on leave and later terminated. Thornton, without the assistance of legal counsel, filed suit against the district [...]
Legal Developments
Charter Schools COULD THE EMPLOYEES ASSERT CONSTITUTIONAL CLAIMS STEMMING FROM THE CLOSURE OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL? Case citation: Pippinsv. Schneider, 2014 WL 108734 (S.D. Tex. 2014) (unpublished). Summary: Benji’s Special Education Academy, Inc. was a charter school that was closed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on or about September 10, 2010, based on findings [...]
Legal Developments
Moot claims DID THE PRINCIPAL’S RESIGNATION RENDER HER CLAIMS MOOT? Case citation: Pate v. Edwards, 2014 WL 172509 (Tex. App.– Tyler 2014) (unpublished). Summary: Pam Edwards worked for the West Sabine Independent School District as an elementary school principal. When Mike Pate became superintendent in 2009, several conflicts arose. According to Edwards, Pate wanted to [...]
Legal Developments
SPECIAL EDUCATION & DISABILITY LAW
Private Placement THE STUDENT WAS ENTITLED TO A PRIVATE PLACEMENT Case citation: FortBendISDv. Z.A., 114 LRP 5028 (S.D. Tex. 2014). Summary: Z.A. attended school in the Fort Bend Independent School District and was eligible for special education services as a student with an Emotional Disturbance (ED) and Other Health Impairment (OHI). Z.A. was born in [...]
Legal Developments
Transfers COULD THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BAR A STUDENT TRANSFER? Case citation: Fails v. Jefferson Davis County Public Schools, Fed. Appx. , 2014 WL 128631 (5th Cir. 2014) (unpublished). Summary: Courtney Fails lived in the Jefferson Davis County School District, but attended school for a number of years in the Lamar County School District, until the Jefferson [...]