Today’s Issue: Will the Education Law Group of FPSCT&T participate in this week’s New Jersey School Boards Association Virtual Workshop? Answer: Yes. We are a Premier Sponsor of the Workshop. Also, we will be doing 3 live virtual presentations – Labor Negotiations in a Pandemic; To Pay or Not To Pay? Public Contracts, Bidding and Procurement; and Bridging […]

Today’s Issue: Can a licensed speech and language pathologist (“SLP”) conduct student evaluations virtually if the student is located out-of-state during the evaluation? Answer: Yes. An SLP may conduct a virtual evaluation for a student located out-of-state during distance learning so long as the student’s individual circumstances are considered.  If it is determined that the […]

Today’s Issue:  How will FPSCT&T celebrate the opening of its New Providence office? Answer: To celebrate “new beginnings” – the 2020 school year and the opening of our New Providence Office, FPSCT&T is organizing an art contest for students. Resources: Instructions for Art Contest Downloadable Flyer for Distribution To Learn More about FPSCTT’s Education and School Law Practice, […]

Today’s Issue:  Can school districts record virtual instruction/classrooms for accountability purposes without written consent of parents/guardians or eligible students under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) and/or the New Jersey Pupil Records Act (“NJPRA”)? Answer: Yes. School districts may record virtual instruction/classrooms without written consent so long as the recordings are for internal […]

Today’s Issue: Can school districts deny an employee’s request for Family First Coronavirus Relief Act (“FFCRA”) leave if the employee’s child is attending school on a hybrid schedule? Answer: No. Under the revised US Department of Labor (“USDOL”) regulations, effective September 16, 2020, employers cannot deny FFCRA leave for hybrid childcare circumstances. The USDOL has explained […]

Special Announcement – Christine Soto on NJSBA Education Podcast on July 28, 2020 at 2:30 PM Maybe no other area in education has had such a difficult transition with the shut down and more challenges in the reopening of schools then special education. As we look into reopening our schools we need to evaluate and […]

Today’s Issue: Has the New Jersey State Treasurer adjusted bid thresholds for New Jersey public schools? Answer: Yes. The State Treasurer exercised her authority to adjust bid thresholds for contracting units subject to the Local Public Contracts Law and the Public School Contracts Law. These adjustments become effective on July 1, 2020 and increase the […]

Today’s Issue: Will FPSCTT continue to provide New Jersey school districts a ONE AT ONE over the summer? Answer: No. The 2019-2020 school year has come to an end and it is time for all of us to relax and recharge and have some fun this summer. However, we will be back to provide you […]

Today’s Issue: Are funds available to cover the cost of additional services provided to student with disabilities who graduate or “age out”? Answer: Yes. School districts may submit an amendment to their 2019-2020 IDEA grant application – by June 30, 2020 – for the costs of providing additional services to students with disabilities. Districts may […]

Today’s Issue: Does graduation or “aging out” preclude a claim for compensatory education for services not provided during the COVID-19 pandemic? Answer: No. Graduating or aging out does not preclude a claim for compensatory education. The NJDOE has issued guidance encouraging IEP teams convene meetings to discuss services that were not provided and determine the […]