We understand that certain transportation vendors are claiming that the recently passed CARES Act requires full or nearly full payment from school districts even if no transportation services are provided during school closures. These vendors are citing CARES Act language […]
Category: K-12 Education
Tips for Schools: Balancing Privacy and Educational Continuity in the Coronavirus Era
March 31, 2020
We know that many school districts and schools are using education technology tools to provide crucial remote learning opportunities and to stay connected with students. These tools will prove even more essential as we move from Act of God Days […]
Jennifer Smith and Jackie Gharapour Wernz co-authored the article, “Shield and Sword: The Law is a Driver for Educational Equity” published in the National Association of School Board’s American School Board Journal April 2020 issue. The article focuses on how […]
On Friday, March 27, 2020, the Governor and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) issued five documents totaling 91 pages of orders, declarations, guidance, statements, and recommendations for K-12 public schools relating to the current mandatory school closure in […]
Governor’s Executive Order 2020-15 Permits Electronic Bid Openings for School District Construction Projects
March 30, 2020
On Friday, Governor Pritzker issued Executive Order 2020-15 allowing school districts to communicate, respond to, and open bids electronically for school construction projects. Section 10-20.21 of the Illinois School Code would otherwise prohibit bids for construction purposes from being communicated, […]
Title IX Considerations During COVID-19 School Closures
March 27, 2020
Originally posted on our Title IX Insights Blog While Illinois schools—and schools across the country—remain closed due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, keep in mind that schools currently are not relieved from their obligations under Title IX or other civil rights […]
COVID-19 Stimulus Law Allots $13.5 Billion to Public Schools
March 27, 2020
Today, the President signed a $2 trillion stimulus package into law to help industries impacted by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The package includes a $30 billion Education Stabilization Fund for K-12 school districts and institutions of higher education. What funds […]
Key Reminders on Student Enrollment, Discipline, Records, and Special Education During School Closures
March 27, 2020
As the issues related to the mandated school closures in response to the COVID-19 crisis continue to rapidly evolve, the Governor extended the closure through April 7, and in all likelihood, Illinois schools will remain closed beyond that date as […]