On October 29, 2020, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (“MDHHS”) revised its prior order related to gatherings. The prior order was issued on October 9, 2020, and set to expire on October 30, 2020....more
On October 16, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed SB 1108 amending the Open Meetings Act (“OMA”) to allow meetings of public bodies to be held electronically or with remote participation, at least through December 31, 2020. The...more
On Friday, October 2, 2020, the Michigan Supreme Court released its long-awaited opinion In re Certified Questions from the United States District Court, Western District of Michigan, Southern Division; Midwest Institute of...more
10/6/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Educational Institutions ,
Executive Orders ,
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) ,
Governor Whitmer ,
MI Supreme Court ,
Paid Leave ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Sick Leave ,
Social Distancing ,
State of Emergency ,
Students
On Friday, March 13, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive directive (the “Directive”) related to Michigan’s Open Meetings Act (“OMA”), MCL 15.261 et seq. The Directive, No. 2020-2, sets forth three specific...more
The Student Privacy Policy Office of the United States Department of Education, which is the agency of the federal government that administers compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), released...more
(This alert updates our 2/27/2020 alert: “What Can Schools do to Address Concerns about Coronavirus?”)
The rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 or SARS-CoV-2, abbreviated COVID-19 (“coronavirus”) has lead to much fear...more
Late winter into early spring brings with it an increase in the number of cases of contagious illnesses such as flu, colds, sinus infections, and pneumonia. Schools turn into veritable petri dishes of possible infections. ...more
This week the Supreme Court issued its long-awaited decision in Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31 et al., striking down “fair share” union fees for government workers. As a...more
6/29/2018
/ Appeals ,
Constitutional Challenges ,
Fair Share Contribution ,
First Amendment ,
Janus v AFSCME ,
Non-Union ,
Payroll Deductions ,
Public Sector Unions ,
Reversal ,
SCOTUS ,
Stare Decisis ,
Union Dues
The Michigan legislature has enacted two new laws, effective March 22, 2017, due to changes in technology and practices as they relate to student information. These statutes make management of student record information more...more
The passage of legislation mandating consideration of Restorative Justice in schools marks a movement away from "zero tolerance" by requiring schools to consider a number of mitigating factors or alternatives before...more
A set of bills, recently enrolled and awaiting the Governor's signature, will radically alter the landscape of student disciplinary action in Michigan. House Bills 5618, 5619, 5620, 5621, 5693, 5694 and 5695 (collectively,...more
Restorative Justice programs are increasingly being seen as an alternative to "zero tolerance" school discipline processes. Restorative Justice is an approach to discipline that focuses on repairing harm through inclusive...more