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There are special rules in place for teachers and other instructional employees who take leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) at or near the end of the school year. The federal regulations contemplate three different scenarios, depending on when the employee takes the leave.

• More than 5 weeks until summer. If an employee begins FMLA leave more than five weeks before the end of the term, the district may require the employee to continue taking leave until the end of the term if the leave…

Yes. RC 3313.642 (D) allows a school board to charge students for instructional materials and for the loss, damage or destruction of school equipment, musical instruments, library materials, or textbooks. If a student who is required to pay fees refuses to pay any fees or charges he or she is assessed, the student's grades and credits may be withheld by the board until such payment is made. Keep in mind that recent changes to RC 3313.642 now prohibit school boards from charging instructional fees to students who are eligible for a free lunch under the National School Lunch Act and the…

Boards are generally permitted to adopt a resolution to grant board members free admission to school-sponsored events, but should be cognizant of the relevant ethics laws and the potential for appearances of impropriety. The Ohio Revised Code prohibits public officials, including school board members, from using their office to solicit or accept things of value from those parties they regulate or with whom they do business. The Ohio Ethics Commission provides general guidance on accepting gifts, meals, entertainment or other things of value in Information Sheet #7, which is available…

So-called "jammers" block the signals of telecommunications devices so that they do not function in certain areas. Given the proliferation of cell phones in schools, many educators would love to have an "off" switch they could flip in classrooms or during testing periods. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) takes the position that the use of jammers violates the Communication Act of 1934. Its Web site states:

"The operation of transmitters designed to jam or block wireless…

HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Affordability Act of 1996 and its regulations contain a Privacy Rule that requires covered health care providers to keep health information confidential. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) covers students enrolled in elementary, secondary and postsecondary schools that receive federal funding. It requires school districts to keep confidential students' personally identifiable information other than directory information. Many people are confused about how these two laws work and exactly what information is required to be kept…