Knowing the rules does not guarantee that school leaders can always follow them gracefully. The art of clear and effective leadership is required when a conflict arises between the law and sound instructional practices. This book looks at two sides of resolving such conflicts: the legal side, and the practical side, as the authors manage to find a middle ground that preserves sound and positive relationships within the school community while following the law.

 

It is particularly directed at school boards and board members, as well as K-12 administrators, attorneys, and teachers. Written in an engaging conversational style, the book covers: how to keep yourself legally safe, student free speech and due process rights, search and seizure, student discipline for off-campus misconduct, educational issues regarding home-school students, safeguarding student privacy and records, teachers' and administrators' and board members' rights and responsibilities, dealing with divorce, difficult parents and other family issues, managing money and student activity accounts, accommodating gay and transsexual and other minority student populations, as well as technology and the schoolhouse. Publisher: Education Communication Unlimited, 2009.

 

Jim Burgett has taught and served as principal and superintendent at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The author or co-author of several books, he is the lead member of The Burgett Group and vice president for the public finance team at Stifel.

 

Brian D. Schwartz has practiced school law for more than 22 years. He is the associate director and general counsel to the Illinois Principals Association and an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield.