Harris Beach will be well represented at the WNY Law Conference on August 2. Below are the team members of the Educational Institutions team that will be presenting this year, and their topics.
- Tracie Lopardi will discuss First Amendment/Censorship during her panel session from 9:35 – 10:25 am.
Session Overview: Book Lists and Censorship; Social Media Rights; and Religion/Religious Expression and Religious Accommodations. The issues of censorship and the first amendment rights of students and staff have always been of significance to school districts, but never more so than today. In this session, NYSSBA Legal Counsel Jay Worona will facilitate a conversation amongst three local attorneys navigating these issues in our schools. Both Mr. Worona and our panelists will provide insights into their understanding of the laws surrounding these issues and recommendations for Districts based on their actual practice and experience.
- Jeff Weiss will discuss Student Suspension and Student Discipline during his session from 10:35 – 11:30 am.
Session Overview: Presenters will address new and emerging issues that are impacting 3214 hearings and penalties, including an emphasis on students with disabilities and alternative to suspension.
- Anne McGinnis will discuss Red Flag Laws during her session from 12:30 – 1:25 pm.
Session Overview: Red flag law is a state stature that allows for the removal of firearms in situations in which an individual is likely to engage in harm to self or others. This presentation will address the legal and the practical considerations for the application of red flag law to schools, and include the perspectives of a School Resource Officer and school attorney.
- Andrew Mark will discuss Censorship, First Amendment, Social Media & Facebook during his session from 1:35 – 2:30 am.
Session Overview: With the world more online and digital now than ever before, it has seemingly never been easier for members of the school community, including employees, to express their views and opinions. To better understand where personal rights start and end, this session will explore trending First Amendment issues facing school districts and the legal rules and principles applicable to the people acting within the school community.