When developing policies governing student athletic participation, schools should consider six safeguards: requiring a thorough medical examination and parental disclosure concerning serious health problems, securing medical approval, specifying that life-threatening health conditions prevent participation, requiring postinjury reexaminations, and…

When contracting with private companies for support services, districts should define goals and requirements; develop requests for proposals; and create a team with legal, financial, user, and task-management expertise. Contracts should be in plain English, avoid open-ended lists, define terms, and specify service provision details. (MLH)

An examination of two dozen recent court decisions dealing with teacher dismissal for drug-related incidents reveals that the facts of each case, not traditional guidelines, determine the legality of the action. (Author/MLF)

Offers tips for avoiding sports-related injuries: (1) expect more of coaches; (2) develop an athletic-safety plan; (3) consider hiring an athletic trainer; (4) check facilities and equipment regularly; (5) recognize athletes' limitations; (6) take precautions beyond the playing field; and (7) check liability coverage and obtain informed consent.…

Educators who are also members of the bar offer advice to administrators on how to testify in court in school-related cases. (MJL)

Describes several legal issues involving school board member use of electronic mail, especially violation of state open-meeting laws. Offers several tips to avoid legal pitfalls. Briefly describes Freedom on Information Act issues related to electronic communication. Provides sample policies on e-mail use. (PKP)

Discusses a United States Supreme Court decision upholding Section 504 protection for an elementary school teacher fired due to recurrent tuberculosis. The school board may need to make reasonable accommodation for employees handicapped by contagious diseases. The Court might also interpret Section 504 as covering AIDS carriers. (MLH)

For a teacher accountability agreement to be effective, the teacher employment contract should contain first, the teacher's accountable duties; second, some clear manner of indicating to whom the accountability is due, or the parties having the right to sue for nonperformance; and third, the student performance standards themselves. (Author)

Discusses facets of a good working relationship between a school board and its attorney. Items to consider include (1) knowing when to call counsel and who should call; (2) separating legal advice from policy opinions; and (3) routinely reviewing the attorney's service to the board. (MLF)

A case involving an African-American teacher's complaint about a (reassigned) building engineer's abusive and racist language went nowhere. Apparently, the mere use of foul language does not establish a Title VII claim; the custodian's sporadic comments did not create a sufficiently "hostile work environment." (MLH)

Discusses the implications of a case accepted for review by the U.S. Supreme Court. (MLF)

Describes a Circuit Court of Appeals case concerning a middle school principal who was unfairly fired after making a controversial speech on inadequate school finances. Describes a search and seizure case involving a student's possession of a gun and drugs on campus. Urges school boards to know the law before taking action. (MLH)