EMPLOYMENT AND PERSONNEL ISSUES

On a daily basis, we advise school administrators on critical personnel issues, be they related to teaching, non-teaching, or administrative employees. We assist school boards and administrators on the following issues:

Hiring practices;

Compensation and fringe benefits;

Early retirement incentives;

Discipline;

Contract non-renewal;

Certification/licensure;

Reduction-in-force;

Labor contract interpretation; and

Employee termination for cause.

We have experience defending boards of education in discrimination cases before courts and administrative bodies (e.g., EEOC, OCRC and SERB) and work to assist boards in avoiding the pitfalls associated with employment matters. We further advise boards of education on numerous policy issues including sexual harassment, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), interpretation and implementation of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), and employee drug and alcohol testing.

Aside from merely reacting to personnel problems, our school attorneys recognize the need for preventative measures in this area. Since many administrators are not formally trained in investigation techniques and documentation of employee misconduct, we offer direction and guidance at avoiding subsequent challenges to employment actions.