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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 […]
Department of Labor Issues Guidance on Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyThe Department of Labor (“DOL)” recently issued guidance addressing the exclusion of health care providers and emergency responders from the benefits of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) and an exemption for small business. Health Care Providers and Emergency Responders An employer may exclude health care providers and emergency responders from: (a) family and […]
COVID-19 and Copyright Concerns
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyPursuant to Governor Charles D. Baker’s March 25, 2020 order which requires all schools in the Commonwealth to remain closed until May 4, 2020, many districts are opting to engage in remote learning. While remote learning is an essential and helpful tool, it also poses unique challenges to school districts. Many districts and their educators […]
Remote Learning Update
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyOn March 26, 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education issued guidance for school administrators regarding remote learning during the COVID-19 school closures. This guidance was sent to all Massachusetts superintendents and can be found here. 2020-0326 remote-learning
Updates to Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Posted: /in News /by Heather McCarthyOn March 18, 2020, President Trump approved House Bill 6201, titled the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act”. Please see our earlier advisories regarding this new legislation that we sent on March 19, 2020 and March 20, 2020. The law has two new acts: the “Emergency Family and Medical Leave Act” and the “Emergency Paid Sick […]