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Thursday | October 15, 9:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Co-sponsored by the New York State School Boards Association and the New York State Association of School Attorneys, Inc.
8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Registration and Refreshments
9:30 - 9:45 a.m. Introduction and Welcome
9:45 - 10:45 a.m. Columbine - The Next Chapter
It’s been 10 years since the tragedy at Columbine. Hear from Columbine officials about board initiatives, community efforts, support systems and safety measures that are helping the school community heal and move forward. Learn lessons that will resonate for all school districts.
Panelists
 Betsy Thompson, Director, Student Services, José Martinez, Executive Director, School Management, and John McDonald, Executive Director, Safety and Security, Jefferson County (Colo.) Public Schools
Moderator
Jay Worona, General Counsel, NYSSBA
10:45 - 11:00 a.m. Break
11:00 - 11:30 a.m. The State of Education
The Board of Regents, the commissioner of education, and the State Education Department help drive the continuous evolution of public education in New York State. Hear about recent developments and critical issues affecting school district operations.

Erin M. O’Grady - Parent, Acting Counsel and Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs, New York State Education Department
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Student Suicides
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth between ages 10 and 24. Who is at risk? Are there warning signs? What can districts do before and after? What are the legal issues involved? Learn the answers to these questions and more concerning this most sensitive area.
Panelists
 Eric D. Ely, Superintendent, Shari Greenleaf, School Attorney, and Lynn Rafalik, Director of Pupil Personnel, Schenectady City School District; Melanie Puorto, Director of Suicide Prevention Inititatives, New York State Office of Mental Health; and Robert Macy, Ph.D., Research Associate in Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Moderator
 Kathy A. Ahearn, Partner, Guercio & Guercio LLP
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Looking Back and Moving Forward
Find out how this past year’s new laws, regulations, court decisions and other rulings have altered school district responsibilities. Examine the next round of legal obligations affecting school districts.
Pilar Sokol, Deputy General Counsel, and Kimberly A. Fanniff, Associate Counsel, NYSSBA
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. The Changing Face of Employment Laws
New rules for accommodating disabled staff, granting family, medical and military leave, investigating employment discrimination claims, and more are changing school district responsibilities in the workplace. Learn what districts can do to comply and avoid liability.
Panelists
 David A. Farmelo, Partner, Hodgson Russ, LLP and John H. Gross, Partner, Ingerman Smith, LLP
Moderator
Eugene R. Barnosky, Partner, Lamb & Barnosky, LLP
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. “Sexting” – Code of Conduct Violation or More?
Students are “sexting”- exchanging nude and other sexual images of themselves via cell phones. Is it misconduct, protected free speech, or reportable child abuse and/or child pornography? Are school officials criminally liable for possession of images obtained during a sexting investigation? Discuss the legal issues and what districts can do to avoid liability while protecting students.
Panelists
David S. Shaw, Partner, Shaw, Perelson, May & Lambert, LLP, and Henry F. Sobota, Partner, Ferrara, Fiorenza, Larrison, Barrett & Reitz, P.C.
Moderator
 Edward J. Sarzynski, Partner, Hogan, Sarzynski, Lynch, Surowka & DeWind, LLP
4:30 p.m. Adjourn