The experience of the Firm in representing Connecticut School Boards includes the following types of work:
Contract negotiations with teachers and administrators in units with CEA, AFT and AFSA affiliates as well as contract negotiations for non-certified board employee units such as custodians and secretaries under the Municipal Employee Relations Act. Our experience includes complete representation from negotiation at the bargaining table up to and through binding interest arbitration.
Unfair labor practice representation under the Teacher Negotiation Act including investigation, mediation and representation of School Districts before the State Labor Board.
Representation of Boards of Education in connection with special education matters. This includes general advice, representation through the due process proceedings and hearing, appeals, and representation in both state and federal courts.
Representation in litigation before administrative and judicial bodies in constitutional, human rights, equal employment opportunity, special education and contract matters.
Representation of Boards in connection with various student matters, including search and seizure issues; Section 10-186 representation including transportation and residence issues; prosecution of truancy related and student at risk issues; student record issues.
Grievance arbitrations — Advice and representation through administrative and Board level hearings as well presentation of the arbitration case. Appearances before the Connecticut Board of Mediation and Arbitration, American Arbitration Association, and Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
Teacher terminations — Advice on record keeping and counseling of teachers; advice and negotiation of settlement agreements; advice and representation at Section 10-151 termination hearings, as well as representation during the civil appeal process.
Student suspension and expulsion — Advice to and representation of Boards in the suspension and expulsion hearing process. Case representation includes expulsion for drug dealing; weapons possession; student/student violence; student/teacher violence.
Freedom of Information Act — representation includes general advice to Boards on compliance with the Act as well as representation before the Freedom of Information Commission.
Workshop presentations — We have provided in-house workshops for School administrators. Topics have included grievance handling; harassment; AIDS in the schools; teacher terminations; DCF reporting and student residency issues.
