Last week, the Michigan Court of Appeals released an unpublished opinion in Eplee v City of Lansing, No. 342404 (February 19, 2019).  In that case, the plaintiff, Angela Eplee, applied for, and was conditionally offered, a position with the Lansing Board of Water and Light (the “BWL”).  But when she tested positive for THC, the

The U.S. Department of Education’s Privacy Technical Assistance Center (“PTAC”) released new guidance earlier this month relative to school safety and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”).  The document, which spans 22 pages and contains 37 questions and responses, is intended to shed light on how school officials should treat the disclosure of

On February 7, 2019, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued its unpublished decision in Dignan v Ypsilanti Comm Sch (Case No. 340089).  In that case, Ypsilanti Community Schools hired the Michigan Leadership Institute (“MLI”) to conduct a superintendent search on behalf of the school district.  MLI received 27 applications for the position, and it forwarded

The Michigan Court of Appeals recently released an unpublished opinion in DM Burr Facilities Management, Inc, v Romulus Comm Sch (Case No. 340570), a case featuring governmental immunity.  The court chronicled the relatively straightforward facts leading to the maintenance company’s lawsuit against the school district.  To summarize, D.M. Burr contracted with Romulus schools to provide

In the closing days of his tenure as Michigan’s Attorney General, Bill Schuette released an opinion related to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s (“Authority”) Equal Employment Opportunity policy (“EEO Policy”).  OAG, 2018, No. 7308 (December 21, 2018).  The Authority’s EEO Policy applies to direct loans and pass-through loans approved for the benefit of contractors

On January 10, 2019, the Michigan Court of Appeals released its unpublished opinion in Clarkston Ed Ass’n v Conwell, Case No. 340470.  After the Legislature passed the Right to Work legislation in 2012, union members attained the right to refrain from union activity.  Seizing on the opportunity, Conwell left the union.  However, the union and

Recently, Lusk Albertson covered the lame duck session in the Legislature that closed out the 2018 year (available at Lame Duck Final, The Developments You Need to Know and Updates from Lansing, Lame Duck Sessions).  While there’s certainly a bevy of new laws, two in particular have drawn special attention from school districts – new laws

It’s a new year, and Michigan is now in the Governor Whitmer era.  As you’ve certainly heard, 2018 closed out with a flurry of legislation quickly passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Snyder.  While Lusk Albertson covered developments as they occurred, it’s important that school districts be aware of the key school legislation

UPDATE:  Friday, December 28, 2018 @ 1pm With the dust settled from the Legislature’s lame duck session, here is a comprehensive round‑up of the education bills considered.  More details relative to each bill are found below in earlier versions of this article. Enacted House Bill 5017.  Status:  Enacted into law with Governor Snyder’s approval on