No ripped jeans. No sagging pants. No satin caps or bonnets. These are a few of the new dress code rules for parents set forth by a principal at a Texas High School. Although school dress codes for students are […]
Category: K-12 Education
Illinois Supreme Court: IFT Lobbyist Entitled to TRS Pension for One Day of Substitute Teaching
April 22, 2019
In a split decision issued earlier this month, a majority of the Illinois Supreme Court held that a career lobbyist for the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) union who worked one day as a substitute teacher could receive a state […]
More Changes to the Length of the Instructional Day May Be Coming for Illinois Schools
March 22, 2019
As we reported in December 2018, changes to the length of the instructional day for students in Illinois brought confusion and concern. Public Act 100—0465, or the Evidence-Based Funding for Student Success Act, removed Section 18-8.05 of the Illinois School Code, which […]
Illinois Appellate Court Sheds Light on When Records Are Not “Reasonably Accessible” On A Public Body’s Website Under FOIA
March 21, 2019
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was amended in December, 2014 to provide that a public body is not required to copy a public record that is published on the public body’s website. 5 ILCS 140/8.5. The exception requires […]
Have You Reported? Submissions on Grandfathered Contracts and Agreements Due in 10 Days
March 19, 2019
If you haven’t already done so, make sure to report “grandfathered” CBA and employment contract/policy information to TRS by March 29, 2019, to safeguard application of the 6% excess salary cap. TRS considers CBAs and contracts entered into, amended, or renewed prior […]
Illinois Appellate Court Ruling on Charitable Tax Exemption Has Broad Implications for School Districts
March 15, 2019
The evolution and expansion of the health care industry continue to test the limits of Illinois’ charitable real estate tax exemption laws, with significant implications for school district revenues. In addition to hospitals, new types of facilities such as retirement […]
New Guidance Addresses FERPA Related to School Safety
March 8, 2019
On the heels of a report by the Federal Commission on School Safety suggesting that many school leaders remain confused about the ability to share student identifying information during an emergency situation, the Department of Education’s Privacy Technical Assistance Center recently released […]
February FOIA Roundup
March 4, 2019
February was a busy month for decisions about the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA” or the “Act”). In addition to a Public Access Counselor (“PAC”) decision reminding public bodies to respond to FOIA requests (and the consequences if they […]