Enhanced Airport Screening Did Not Violate Free Exercise Clause In Haidari v. Mayorkas, No. 22-cv-2939 (ECT/ECW), 2023 WL 5487351 (D. Minn. Aug. 24, 2023), the court dismissed the plaintiff's claim that federal agents have...more
The enrollment contract sets the foundation and expectations for the relationship between the school and its community members. As such, it is important to ensure that your enrollment contract is well drafted and...more
While the great majority of schools will not be requiring their students or staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 this coming school year, that’s not necessarily true for schools in the Northeast and on the West Coast....more
As the 2022-2023 school year begins, independent schools should revisit their COVID-19 protocols. The newer COVID-19 variants have proved to be milder than the original strain, justifying shorter self-isolation periods...more
It’s hard to keep up with all the recent changes to labor and employment law. While the law always seems to evolve at a rapid pace, there have been an unprecedented number of changes for the past few years—and this past month...more
Last month, a federal court in North Carolina held in Karanik et al. v. Cape Fear Academy, Inc., No. 7:21- CV-169D (E.D.N.C.June 17, 2022), that a private secondary school’s receipt of a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan...more
The Ninth Circuit on June 15, 2022 issued its long-awaited en banc decision in Brach v. Newsom, holding that the challenge to the California’s Covid-19 restrictions on in-person schooling is now moot. The appeal arose from a...more
As we turn the page to summer break, it is not too early for independent school leaders to think about the next school year and plan for back-to-school training of faculty and staff. Independent schools would be wise to...more
Under the CARES Act and subsequent COVID-19 legislation, independent schools may be eligible for the Employee Retention Credit (ERC), a refundable payroll tax credit for employers, including independent schools, whose...more
Spring has arrived, which means that it is time for independent schools to consider updating their employee and parent-student handbooks for the 2022-2023 school year. As many schools experienced a surge of conduct, mental...more
Religious Exemption to States' Mandatory Vaccination Statute Not Necessary In Does 1-6 v. Mills, No. 1:21-cv-00242, 2021 WL 4783626 (D. Me. Oct. 13, 2021), the court denied injunctive relief to plaintiff healthcare workers...more
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a significant expansion to his “Key to NYC” program on Monday, December 6, 2021. Previously, the Key to NYC program required people 12 and older to show proof of at least one vaccine dose in...more
On November 10, 2021, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court struck down the Acting Secretary of the Department of Health’s Order Directing Face Coverings in School Entities (“Masking Order”) in Corman, et al. v. Acting...more
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new emergency order on October 1 requiring all students in both public and private schools to get the COVID-19 vaccine once fully authorized by the Federal Drug Administration...more
On September 10, 2021, Governor Lamont issued Executive Order 13G, which set forth a revised COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Connecticut school employees (and childcare facilities). As my colleague, Melinda Kaufmann noted,...more
On August 23, 2021, the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over Ohio, ruled that a Michigan mask requirement does not violate an individual’s religious freedom. In October 2020, the...more
The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) recently updated its COVID-19 control measures in response to the resurgence of positive cases across the state, and all employers regardless of industry will be expected to take...more
Both the State of Colorado and the City of Denver have recently issued mandatory vaccine policies for certain segments of worker populations – and your organization may be soon required to enforce such a mandate. While the...more
One of the most commonly litigated legal custody issues is “school-choice” and as families prepare to go into the next school year, we are seeing an increase in disputes among separated/divorced parents. Many families...more
Governor Pritzker has ordered a vaccine mandate for all teachers and staff at pre-K-12 schools, as well as students and personnel at higher education institutions. Under the Executive Order, all pre-K-12 school personnel must...more
Earlier yesterday Governor Pritzker announced a mandate for all teachers and staff at pre-K-12 schools, as well as students and personnel at higher education institutions, to be vaccinated. ...more
In the next installment of what appears to be the ever-moving target of mandatory vaccinations for Connecticut school employees, the Governor issued Executive Order 13D (the “Order”) delineating the state’s requirements for...more
Recently, my law partner, Zachary D. Schurin, wrote about Governor Lamont latest/revised Executive Order – Executive Order #13A– concerning the wearing of masks (and/or other cloth facial coverings). While Executive Order...more
In response to several Florida school boards considering mask mandates in advance of school openings, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis just signed an executive order threatening to withhold state funds from any school boards...more