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CERB Rules That Teachers Participated In Illegal Strike
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyThe Commonwealth Employment Relations Board (“CERB”) recently issued a decision holding that Andover Public Schools teachers participated in an illegal strike in violation of G.L. c. 150E, § 9A when they refused to enter school buildings on the first work day of the school calendar for 2020-2021 and insisted instead on performing their work outside […]
Department of Labor Revises Regulations on Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyFollowing a decision from a federal court in New York vacating portions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) regulations, the Department of Labor (“DOL”) recently published revised regulations addressing the court’s decision. Notably, the revisions establish a new definition for a “health care provider” after the New York court found the previous definition […]
Reminder – New Title IX Regulations Going Into Effect on August 14, 2020
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyToday, August 14, 2020, the new Title IX regulations, enforced by the U.S. Department of Education (“DOE”), will go into effect. As discussed in our May 13, 2020 advisory on this topic, available here, the regulations have many new requirements for sexual harassment policies and procedures that need to be in effect by August 14, […]
Federal Court Vacates Portions of FFCRA Regulations
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyYesterday, a federal court vacated portions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) regulations. In April, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued regulations interpreting the FFCRA, which provides paid leave time to employees impacted by COVID-19. The New York Attorney General challenged portions of the regulations, and the matter proceeded to a U.S. […]
DESE Permits 2020-2021 School Year Delay and Student Learning Time Reduction
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyThe Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (“DESE”) is permitting school districts to delay the start of the 2020-2021 school year by 10 days but not later than September 16, 2020, reducing the student school days to 170 days from the current 180 day requirement for the 2020-2021 school year. Waivers may be available […]
Reminder – New Title IX Regulations Going Into Effect in August 2020
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyOn August 14, 2020, the new Title IX regulations, enforced by the U.S. Department of Education (“DOE”), will go into effect. As discussed in our May 13, 2020 advisory on this topic, available here, the regulations have many new requirements for sexual harassment policies and procedures that need to be in effect by August 14, […]
Fall School Reopening Guidance
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyOn June 25, 2020, the Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released Initial Fall School Reopening Guidance. Please find the guidance here. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Liz Valerio Presented at MASC Panel regarding Bargaining during COVID-19
Posted: /in Events /by Heather McCarthyOn Monday, June 15, 2020 Liz Valerio was a presenter with the Massachusetts Association of School Committees panel “Preparing for Collective Bargaining in an Era of COVID-19″. Topics included bargaining during COVID-19 and other back-to-school issues facing Massachusetts Districts.
Appeals Court Affirms Nondelegable Authority of Police Chiefs
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyLast week, the Appeals Court issued a decision in City of New Bedford v. New Bedford Police Union (97 Mass. App. Ct. 502) affirming a Superior Court’s decision vacating an arbitration award that found the City of New Bedford (“City”) violated the parties’ collective bargaining agreement with the New Bedford Police Union (“Union”) “when it […]
U.S. Department of Education Releases Guidance on Providing Services to English Learners During COVID-19 Pandemic
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyEarlier this week, the U.S. Department of Education (“DOE”) issued new guidance regarding the provision of services to English language learners during remote learning. The comprehensive guidance provides, in part, that while districts are operating via remote or distance learning: Districts continue to screen new students to determine their English language status. Students must be […]