Written as a case study, this article outlines Duke Law School Information Services' video digitization, preservation, and access initiative. This article begins with a discussion of the case study environment and the cross-departmental evaluation of in-house video production and processing workflows. The in-house preservation reformatting process…

Background/Context: Over the past half-century, the courts have played an increasingly important role in educational governance and decision-making. However, since the courts began to take such an active role in education, the efficacy and effectiveness of judicial intervention in education remain uncertain. Largely in response to problems that…

The purpose for this article is to explore the juxtaposition of legal expectations, conflicting community cultural values, and the role of the superintendent in these connected but often conflicting issues. The authors explore several issues through the lens of Gay-Straight Alliance clubs, the "Equal Access Act," and the role of the…

Background/Context: In most judicial and social science debates about school desegregation, it is usually assumed that educational and social benefits, if significant, help establish a compelling purpose for school desegregation plans. Less thought has been given to whether the degree of benefits should factor into whether a plan is narrowly…

Describes a North Carolina lawsuit that should result in a multitude of new treatment programs for disturbed, aggressive youth. Discusses the state's obligation under the settlement and its progress in establishing needed programs. (Author/MLF)

Discusses various methods by which school boards and their attorneys might obtain revenue from the fines and forteitures imposed by the criminal justice system. Concentrates on recent developments in North Carolina but is relevant to other states that have statutes granting this money to public schools. (Author/MLF)

Discusses the fact that teacher training programs do not emphasize knowledge of public school law. Presents results of a survey given to North Carolina public school teachers that measured knowledge of public school law. Findings suggest that more preparation in public school law is required. (JS)

Outlines the legal authority permitting North Carolina school officials to excuse all students' attendance under a uniform policy and applies this policy to absences and early checkouts by 18-year-olds. Cites cases supporting school officials' legal duty to consider exemptions for 18-year-olds with extenuating family circumstances. Cites 37…

The Civil Rights Act of 1991 amends five federal discrimination statutes. The legislation increases the potential liability of employers, including local boards of education, for findings of employment discrimination. Provides an overview of the new provisions of the legislation that will affect employees of North Carolina public school systems.…

North Carolina's Privacy of Employee Personnel Records Act requires school systems to ensure that school employees and others have access to personnel records while, at the same time, ensuring employee privacy. Provides an overview of the new legislation and identifies some potential problems a school system may encounter in compliance. (MLF)

Discusses North Carolina's specifically school-related criminal statutes categorized as follows: crimes against the person, crimes against property, dishonest conduct, disorderly conduct and demonstrations, misconduct by officials, and bingo and raffles. The appendixes reproduce the statutes discussed, along with some that may have greater…

A review of court decisions indicates that schools may consider absence from class as a factor in overall academic evaluation and may impose academic penalties for absences due to truancy, suspension, or expulsion. However, academic penalties may not be imposed for misconduct that does not result in absence from class. (MLF)

Discusses North Carolina's Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) laws that are relevant to colleges (especially public) and elementary and secondary schools generally, and then applies ABC laws to typical circumstances of alcohol use on campuses. Examines civil liability for use of alcohol on campuses. (MLF)

Summarizes court cases and opinions affecting North Carolina schools. Cases involve supervision of desegregating districts; sexual harassment charges; employee dismissal; constitutionality of a African-American-only scholarship program; contract renewals for community college employees; equal pay, sex, and racial discrimination lawsuits; air…

Any complaint against a school employee regarding inappropriate physical punishment should be taken seriously by administrators and pursued vigorously by an investigating attorney. The standards (especially regarding probable cause and obtaining warrants) for investigating such allegations are less stringent than those imposed in criminal…