This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
OKLearn moreWe may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.
Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.
These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.
Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.
We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.
We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.
These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.
If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:
We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.
Google Webfont Settings:
Google Map Settings:
Google reCaptcha Settings:
Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:
The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them:
You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.
Privacy Policy
Appeals Court Discusses CBA Language in Regard to M.G.L. c. 149 § 30C
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyLast week, the Appeals Court issued a decision, State Police Association of Massachusetts v. Alben (19-P-210), regarding whether police officers were entitled to overtime pay for detail work contrary to the applicable collective bargaining agreement. As noted in the decision, the Massachusetts Port Authority (MassPort) contracted with the Massachusetts State Police for police service at […]
Appeals Court Discusses Nondelegable Management Rights of Fire Chiefs
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyOn Friday, May 1, 2020, the Appeals Court issued a decision regarding the nondelegable management rights afforded to fire chiefs in the Commonwealth, and the extent to which those rights permit fire chiefs to make unilateral policies and decisions on matters affecting public safety. The decision, Town of Dracut v. Dracut Firefighters Union, IAFF Local […]
COVID-19 FERPA FAQ
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyRemote learning implicates many issues related to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”). FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records and prohibits school districts from disclosing personally identifiable information (“PII”) from a student’s education record without prior written consent or an applicable exception under FERPA. Recently, the […]
Superintendents Must Hear Disciplinary Appeals Under 37H
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyOn April 28, 2020, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts (SJC) issued a decision regarding the delegation of a superintendent’s statutory authority to hear a student’s appeal from a principal’s decision under M.G.L. c. 71, § 37H. In Doe v. Worcester Public Schools, SJC-12827, a student in the Worcester Public Schools was suspended for 152 […]
Remote Learning Update
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyOn April 24, 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education issued updated guidance for school administrators regarding remote learning. The updated guidance can be found here: 2020-0424updated-remote-learning.
EEOC Guidance Permits Employee COVID-19 Testing
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyYesterday, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) updated its COVID-19 related guidance to address the issue of employers testing employees for COVID-19. Specifically, the EEOC opined that “…employers may take steps to determine if employees entering the workplace have COVID-19 because an individual with the virus will pose a direct threat to the health of […]
Liz Valerio and Nick Dominello Presented at MASPA Webinar Responding to COVID-19 Issues in Schools
Posted: /in Events, News /by Heather McCarthyOn April 17, 2020 Liz Valerio and Nick Dominello presented at the Massachusetts Association of School Personnel Administrator’s webinar, Responding to COVID-19 Issues in Schools. Topics discussed included: Families First Coronavirus Response Act, furloughs and layoffs, leaves of absence, transportation issues, school approved trips, educator misconduct and educator evaluations. The presentation can be found here.
Governor Extends School Closure Through Remainder of School Year
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyToday, Governor Charles D. Baker announced that Massachusetts private and public schools will remain closed though the end of the 2019-2020 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Baker stated that remote learning will continue in all districts. Governor Baker also stated that DESE will soon be launching a remote learning initiative and advisory […]
U.S. Department of Education (DOE) Approves Massachusetts Waiver Required for ESSA Grants and DESE Releases Grant Guidance
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyOn April 8, 2020, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) received approval from the DOE for specific waivers offered under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Massachusetts was granted numerous waivers including: Fiscal Year 2019 ESSA funds may be used until September 30, 2021; DESE may waive the 15% […]
Federal Government Passes CARES Act to Address COVID-19 Crisis
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyOn March 27, 2020, the federal government passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act responsive to the current COVID-19 epidemic. The Act affords economic relief to individuals, small businesses, hospitals and public health facilities, food security efforts, state and local governments, and education. State and Local Governments The Act designates funding to […]