School executives move beyond the bounds of ethical behavior when they exercise favoritism or act unethically to avoid trouble. Because public agencies are empowered by a political system driven by influence and power, confusion and uncertainty often arise. Sidebars advise how to handle hypothetical situations and clarify ethics policies. (MLH)

According to the American Tort Reform Association's (ATRA) survey of secondary school principals, concern about liability was cited for cutting back or terminating many activities. ATRA recommends some major legislative change including reform of the doctrine of joint and several liability, and placing limits on noneconomic and punitive damage…

U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that students who have been sexually harassed by teachers may recover money damages against school districts and administrators. Article suggests to avoid lawsuits, including establishing and announcing clear-cut policy, educating teachers to recognize sexual harassment behaviors, requiring student complaints to…

Two new American Bar Association rules can help school executives determine whether to use the board's attorney or hire their own private attorney. Various situations are cited to show the advisability of choosing one over the other. (KS)

School fundraising will remain popular, despite the risk of lawsuits. The Indiana courts advise certain actions to avoid potentially hazardous situations. These include inspecting places and situations presenting significant hazards, making plans to meet anticipated dangers, and assigning competent supervisors. Superintendents can ensure greater…

The National School Safety Center pegs the number of gun-toting U.S. students at 100,000. Unless metal detectors are employed as part of a carefully thought-out school safety plan, their use is likely to be ineffective, controversial, and a legal minefield. Random student searches are becoming common. A sidebar describes a Washington, D.C., junior…

Medically fragile children do not always require special education services. However, teachers need specialized training before they can teach kids accompanied by life support equipment. Boston's Project School Care advises administrators to consider four sets of procedures: administrative guidelines, plans for providing health care services and…

The Wilkinsburg (Pennsylvania) School Board's decision to hire Alternative Public Schools, a private company, to manage a failing elementary school has alienated the teacher union and many town residents. If teachers lose their court challenge, Turner School will become the only U.S. public school to be both privately staffed and managed. (MLH)

A recent United States Supreme Court ruling requires that school staff with contagious diseases be treated like other handicapped employees who may be "otherwise qualified" to continue work under reasonable accommodation. Compulsory education laws are facing court challenges in several states, as parents seek more flexibility in…

Eighteen suggestions for reducing or even preventing grievance arbitration costs are detailed under negotiating the contract, administering the contract, and preparing for arbitration categories. (KS)

A survey form mailed to a random sample of 1,000 superintendents nationwide aimed at determining how much litigation schools are involved in, the nature of those actions, and the results. Negligence is the most common basis for lawsuits followed by employment issues. Three charts summarize the findings. (MLF)

The privacy aspect of e-mail is a touchy subject. "Erased" computer files can easily be restored with simple software. Some public agencies are required to retain backup files on computer data and information. E-mail might also be subject to freedom-of-information access, depending how a "record" or "document" is defined. Also, e-mail exchanges…

Summarizes a variety of religious issues before United States courts, including two religion-in-the-schools cases in New Jersey and Georgia and two New York cases involving public assistance of private schools. Discusses a wrongful death lawsuit in Connecticut concerning a teenage suicide. (MLH)

Summarizes several U.S. Supreme Court actions, including decisions to review a North Dakota case concerning fees for rural bus students and a Florida case involving differential contributions and benefits for male and female employees. The Court refused to hear certain cases involving school consolidation (Kansas City), mainstreaming of retarded…

Discusses the importance of personnel policies covering AIDS (and other communicable diseases) and presents relevant employee guidelines developed by teacher unions and school districts. Three insets offer additional Center for Disease Control guidelines, day-to-day considerations when working with AIDS employees, and available publications…