LEGAL ONE In-District Programs
LEGAL ONE’s cadre of school law experts are here to meet your district’s specific needs. We will work with you to develop professional learning that is specific to your district and incorporates everything from the latest case law, to new statutes and regulations, to implementing consistent and appropriate district policies and protocols. We will work with you to develop a plan that is perfect for you, with options ranging from comprehensive multi-day series down to a single hour. For more information, or to arrange for your district’s professional learning needs, please contact us at legalone@njpsa.org or by calling (609) 860-1200. All training will be provided by LEGAL ONE’s experienced attorneys, and in addition, follow up assistance in developing policies, procedures, model forms etc. can be provided in conjunction with, or separate from, training for staff.
Here are just some examples of how we can address your needs (click any topic for more information):
Addressing Suicidal Ideation and Student & Staff Mental Health Needs
Implementing COVID-Related Health and Safety Protocols
Aligning School District Policies, Protocols and Practices
NJ’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights
Affirmative Action and Discrimination Law
Progressive Supervision and Corrective Action Plans
Child Abuse Prevention and Student/Staff Boundaries
First Amendment Rights for Students and Staff, Including Social Media
Addressing Vaping and Substance Abuse
Recent Case Law and Legislation
Special Education Law
Special education laws and regulations from pre-referral through reevaluation, to trainings centered on specific areas and legal requirements such as ESY, Compensatory Services, FAPE/LRE and any other special education law topic a district requires. In addition, trainings can be provided that are targeted to required corrective actions as part of a determination by the NJDOE or OCR that a district was non-compliant with laws and must train staff as part of a directed corrective action.
Section 504 Explained
A full overview of Section 504, as well as any other Section 504 legal topic a district requires. In addition, trainings can be provided that are targeted to required corrective actions as part of a determination by the OCR that a district was non-compliant with laws and must train staff as part of a directed corrective action.
Addressing Suicidal Ideation and Student & Staff Mental Health Needs
Centered on issues concerning students and staff mental health needs, including presentations focused on suicidal ideation. These trainings are provided by legal staff in conjunction with subject matter experts with extensive experience addressing suicide and mental health issues in school districts. The staff trainings provide necessary overviews of legal requirements, as well as training focused on recognizing and addressing these mental health issues. The sessions can also be focused on reviewing and assessing district policies and procedures for purposes of amendment or development of implementing procedures and protocols. The sessions can include time for discussion of scenarios and issues in order to assist staff in recognizing and addressing issues. The trainings also provide an opportunity for “training the trainers,” as the materials utilized can then be used by district staff to train other staff with respect to the subject matter.
Implementing COVID-Related Health and Safety Protocols
Ever-changing health and safety protocols, the impacts of COVID on students and staff from a legal perspective and issues concerning topics such as learning loss and use of funds to address such losses and understanding and complying with state and federal guidance addressing COVID. All trainings can be targeted to issues specific to a school district, such as addressing unique personnel issues, student access to education issues, or any other issue a district is experiencing that requires legal training for its staff.
Hot Issues in School Law
HIB case law and legislative issues, TEACHNJ regulations and Arbitration Decisions, student safety, recent legislative enactments, social media, First Amendment rights and responsibilities and other current and ongoing school law topics including COVID-19 and racial discrimination/disparity issues.
Aligning District Policies, Protocols and Practices
HIB Protocols, Suicide Prevention, Equity Plans, as well as assessing individual School District policies to ensure compliance with legal protocols and practices. Additionally, LEGAL ONE can work with your School District’s leadership personnel to assist in identifying appropriate staff involvement in the implementation of the School District’s objectives and policies.
NJ’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights
The ongoing and ever changing issues and requirements of School Law addressing New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights in schools. Districts can contact LEGAL ONE to discuss their “HIB” legal training needs for Administrators, Staff, Anti-Bullying Specialists, or the School Safety and Climate Team, and trainings will be developed to fit their particular requirements.
Affirmative Action and Discrimination Law
Affirmative Action and Discrimination law issues pertaining to both staff and students. Additionally, LEGAL ONE can work with your School District’s leadership personnel to assist in identifying appropriate staff involvement, including the Affirmative Action Officer and Title IX Coordinator, in the implementation of the School District’s objectives and policies.
Student Code of Conduct
Presentations to address Code of Conduct student behavior issues, including Post-Covid issues, Due Process rights, behavior on and off school grounds, free speech rights and limitations, discipline, drug and alcohol issues, working with local law enforcement and working with specialized populations such as ESL and Special Education students.
Progressive Supervision and Corrective Action Plans
Topics pertaining to School District staff including Progressive Supervision, Egregious Conduct Issues, Corrective Action Plans, Performance Improvement Plans, written reprimands and tenure charges when necessary.
Child Abuse Prevention and Student/Staff Boundaries
Addressing Child Abuse Prevention and Student/Staff Boundaries. Topics include a discussion of inappropriate student to student and staff to student relationships, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), sexual abuse issues, recognizing and reporting behavioral signs of abuse, handling disclosures of abuse and working with specialized populations.
First Amendment Rights for Students and Staff, Including Social Media
First Amendment Rights for Students and Staff both on and off of school grounds, as well as Social Media issues.
Addressing Vaping and Substance Abuse
Topics such as understanding trends and legal requirements pertaining to Vaping and Substance Abuse, including the effect on School Districts of the recent Recreational Marijuana law passed in New Jersey. Additionally, LEGAL ONE can provide training addressing the prevention of student drug, vaping and alcohol use and working with local Law Enforcement officials, as well as assessing individual School District policies to ensure compliance with legal protocols and practices.
LGBTQ Issues
Centered around the ongoing and ever changing issues and legal requirements pertaining to LGBTQ issues. Presentations are available to address topics including a review of the legal protections available for LGBTQ+ staff and students, the most recent guidance from the New Jersey Department of Education, lessons to be learned from case law, and how that case law and guidance should inform key personnel and student policies. Participants will also learn about conflicts between federal guidance on TItle IX and student rights under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, as well as the latest on U.S. Supreme Court cases addressing transgender student rights.
Recent Case Law and Legislation
Recent case law and legislation pertaining to School Law topics including HIB, Staff Issues, Ethics, Free Speech and Board of Education issues and procedures.