8:55 Welcome and Introductions
9:00 So, We're Online Now: COVID-19 and Technology in the Education Space
Jerry D. Blakemore, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro
Tara N. Cho, Womble Bond Dickinson (U.S.) LLP, Raleigh
Christine T. Scheef, North Carolina School Boards Association, Raleigh
After the onset of COVID-19, technology played an integral role in providing education and services, as well as employment in the school setting. The virtual space was ground zero for the intersection of several legal issues: privacy, data security, free speech and expression, and even activism. Speakers talk through some of the thorny issues that arose in both the student and employee spaces and how they were addressed when it came to the delivery of instruction, provision of services to students and teleworking.
10:02 Serving the Whole Child in the Midst of a Pandemic: The Role of Student Services and Other Educators
Patricia R. Robinson, Tharrington Smith LLP, Raleigh
Mari Ross-Alexander, North Carolina Central University, Durham
S. Collins Saint, Brooks Pierce McLendon Humphrey & Leonard LLP, Greensboro
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of student support professionals and meeting the needs of the whole student at both the K-12 and higher education levels. Hear insights from attorneys and practitioners regarding how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted student service providers and students — including legal issues associated with telehealth and access during periods of distance learning, changes to legislation that impacts student mental health services, student engagement, English-language learners, and the role of educational professionals to address the impact of stressors on student performance and outcomes.
11:02 Break
11:12 Personnel and the Pandemic: The Future of Work
Beth Tyner Jones, Womble Bond Dickinson (U.S.) LLP, Raleigh
April Kuhn, Pfeiffer University, Misenheimer
COVID-19 has uprooted virtually every aspect of the pre-pandemic workforce, and the employment outlook for the education sector has not been spared. How much of the "new normal" — teleworking, physical distancing, health screenings, vaccine requirements — will impact the future of work? Education law practitioners who specialize in employment and human resources discuss common issues with workplace accommodations during the pandemic, best practices for navigating difficult scenarios, and insights on how future employment trends may impact educational institutions.
12:12 Lunch Break
12:42 The Dreaded D's: Death, Disability, Disbarment and Disappearance*
Stacey A. Phipps, North Carolina Attorney General's Office, Raleigh
What happens if you suddenly can't work? Who will take care of your clients and how? Does anyone have your password or access to your case management system? Can anyone get in your office and find a client contact list and court calendar? Learn about planning for the "what-ifs" which is both essential and ethical.
1:43 Title IX Updates: Implementation and Enforcement Trends
Sarah O. Edwards, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte
Howard I. Kallem, Rebecca Leitman Veidlinger PLLC, Chapel Hill
David Noland, Tharrington Smith LLP, Raleigh
The past year has brought about significant changes for K-12 and higher education institutions navigating the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Panelists discuss the changes and legal implications faced in the K-12 and higher education spaces for hearings and investigations, innovative ways to work within the new legal frameworks imposed by courts and the U.S. Department of Education, and what may be up ahead.
2:43 Break
2:53 Case Law Update
Brian C. Shaw, Schwartz & Shaw PLLC, Raleigh
Last but certainly not least, our program ends with this popular update on case law and legislation relevant to education law practitioners. Hear updates on legal challenges that emerged during COVID-19 and continue to impact the work of education law practitioners.
3:50 Adjourn
* Indicates portion providing Ethics/Professional Responsibility credit