Students
New Obligation to Meet With Students Facing Multiple Suspensions or Expulsion
On January 21, 2020, Governor Murphy signed legislation requiring that a meeting take place with a student who has experienced multiple suspensions or who may be subject to a proposed expulsion for the purpose of identifying any behavior or health difficulties experienced by the student and, where appropriate, to provide supportive interventions or referrals to school or community resources that may assist the student in addressing the identified difficulties. The principal is charged with setting up the meeting as soon as practicable between the student and a school psychologist, counselor, social worker, student assistance coordinator or a member of the […]
USDOE and USHHS Issue Joint Guidance on Application of FERPA and HIPAA to Student Health Records
In December 2019, the U.S. Department of Education (“USDOE”) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“USDHHS”) jointly issued a 26-page document, providing updated guidance on the application of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, 34 C.F.R. Part 99, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”), see 45 C.F.R. Parts 160, 162, and 164 (the “HIPAA Rules”), and their application to student health records. The updated guidance provides a basic overview of each of the two federal statutes, as well as 27 frequently asked questions (“FAQs”). The new guidance […]
Commissioner of Education Upholds Finding of HIB for Comments Related to Physical Strength
In a case successfully defended by Sanu Dev, Esq., the Hainesport Township Board of Education’s (“Board”) determination of harassment, intimidation, and bullying (“HIB”) was upheld by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education (“Commissioner”) on June 19, 2019. In the case captioned M.S. and N.S. o/b/o J.S. v. Hainesport Township Board of Education, the parents of J.S. appealed the Board’s decision finding that J.S. violated the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (“ABBRA”) and committed an act of HIB when J.S. slammed another student’s Chromebook, pulled on his earbuds, called him “weakling,” and commented on the student’s athletic ability, using the phrase, […]
Upcoming Seminar: School Law – Social Media and Apps, Cyberbullying, Privacy, and Other Technology
On Wednesday, December 11, 2019, Sanmathi (Sanu) Dev, Esq. will be presenting at the National Business Institute’s seminar entitled “Social Media and Apps, Cyberbullying, Privacy, and Other Technology.” Her presentation will focus on First Amendment issues and disciplining students in the age of social media. The seminar will be held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Lunch Debt Debacle – Part II
By: Lauren E. Tedesco, Esq.Editor: Sanmathi (Sanu) Dev, Esq. Strengthening policies and procedures for outstanding lunch debt is one of the most important steps a school district can take in order to minimize the overall outstanding debt. In addition to the statutory notice provisions to parents/guardians discussed in Part I of this article series, school districts should also ensure that parents/guardians are aware of the National School Lunch Program, which provides a free or reduced price lunch to children from households meeting criteria for eligibility. Free/Reduced Lunch applications can be provided to parents/guardians and submitted at any time during the […]
Lunch Debt Debacle – Part 1
By: Lauren E. Tedesco, Esq.Editor: Sanmathi (Sanu) Dev, Esq. Amassing lunch debt within school districts is not a unique circumstance. In fact, in our practice representing school districts it is a relatively common occurrence. Recently, a South Jersey school district came under scrutiny for proposing what has been dubbed the “Tuna Sandwich Policy” where a student whose lunch account is more than $10 in arrears would be provided a tuna sandwich for lunch as an alternate lunch in lieu of the lunch regularly provided and available. Those who oppose the proposed policy argue that students who receive a tuna sandwich […]
Upcoming Seminar at NJSBA Annual Conference
On Thursday, October 24, 2019, Sanmathi (Sanu) Dev, Esq. will be presenting at the New Jersey School Boards Association’s Annual Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She will be speaking about legal issues pertaining to Title IX and Affirmative Action.
NJDOE Issues Guidance Regarding Transgender Students
You may recall that in May 2016, the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice issued a Dear Colleague Letter addressing the rights of transgender students and then rescinded it less than a year later in February 2017. The New Jersey Department of Education (“NJDOE”) took matters into its own hands and issued a guidance document to school districts regarding transgender students on September 27, 2018. The purpose of the guidance document is to assist in creating an inclusive environment for transgender and gender nonconforming students and to ensure that these students receive equal educational opportunities. The NJDOE advises that a school district […]
How Has the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act Affected the Litigation Environment?
By: Cameron R. Morgan, Esq. Editor: Sanmathi (Sanu) Dev, Esq. It is almost hard to believe we are now in the seventh school year since the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (“ABBRA”) took effect. At the time of the statute’s passage on January 5, 2011, many speculated that the wave of investigations into harassment, intimidation, and bullying (“HIB”) that were soon to be conducted in high numbers in the early years of the statute’s implementation would also be accompanied by a large and continuous wave of HIB litigation. Some even opined that the law would spawn a new […]
Upcoming Seminar at NJSBA Spring School Law Forum
On June 12, 2018, Sanmathi (Sanu) Dev, Esq. will be presenting at the New Jersey School Boards Association’s Spring School Law Forum. She will be speaking about current issues regarding student discipline. The seminar will be held in Monroe, New Jersey.
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