On Board Online • February 25, 2013

By Adam C. Hover

In a recent decision, the commissioner of education upheld a school board’s decision to change its practice of allowing elementary school students to attend the elementary school located within their childcare provider’s attendance zone.

Generally, students attend school located within the attendance zone in which they legally reside. The change allowed students already enrolled in an out-of-zone elementary school to complete their elementary education at such schools subject to certain conditions, but students not yet enrolled in an out-of-zone school were prevented from doing so.

On Board Online • February 25, 2013

By Kimberly A. Fanniff

New York’s highest court has upheld the reinstatement of a school bus driver who was terminated after a positive random drug test.

In Shenendehowa Central School District Board of Education v. Civil Service Employees Association, Inc. the union filed a grievance after the district terminated the bus driver. Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) the parties agreed to arbitrate whether the termination violated the CBA.

On Board Online • February 25, 2013

By Pilar Sokol

It is well-established that school districts will not be held liable for injuries sustained by their student athletes as a result of assumed risks inherent in a competitive sport, particularly when students are properly equipped, well-trained, and play voluntarily. However, districts do have an obligation to exercise reasonable care to protect their athletes from injuries that may result from unassumed, concealed or unreasonable increased risks in such activities.

On Board Online • February 25, 2013

By Molly Gushea

Teachers today are often asked to implement new skills after a one-day session on the newest innovation – Common Core standards, data-driven instruction and other elements of the Regents Reform Agenda. Since 2004, the St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES Model Schools program has changed the face of professional development in their region by implementing a professional development model in which teachers create  classroom lessons that use technology, taking advantage of on-site support in the district throughout the year. More than 500 teachers have completed the year-long professional development program.