University News
School Law Conference March 9
February 23, 2007
MACOMB, IL -- Student speech: What is covered by the First Amendment and what's not? What steps can schools take when cyber-bullies strike? How much free speech do teachers really have in the classroom? As educational administrators and school board members strive to lead successful schools they must keep up-to-date with law and policy. That's where the 18th annual Western Illinois University School Law Conference can help.
From 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, March 9 school attorneys and educational leadership faculty will shed light on a variety of issues facing schools today. The conference will be held in the University Union on the WIU-Macomb campus.
Featured presenters include Melinda Selbee, general council, Illinois Association of School Boards, who will discuss "Complying with Open Meetings Act in 2007;" Larry Kuster of Rammelkamp, Bradney, Kuster, Keaton, Fritsche & Lindsay, P.C., who will focus on "Student Speech: What is Covered by the First Amendment and What's Not;" Shane Aldridge of Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick and Kohn, who will discuss "Cyber Discipline: The Use of Technology Inside and Outside of the School Setting that Leads to Bullying and Other Misconduct;" Everett Nicholas of Robbins, Schwartz, Nicholas, Lifton & Taylor, Ltd., who will present "Investigating Employee Misconduct;" Brian Schwartz, executive director and general counsel for the Illinois Principals Association, who will focus on "Home Schooling;" and Hector Lareau, attorney, who will discuss "The Narrow Scope of Teacher's Free Speech Rights."
"As in year's past, the conference will provide the latest information and analysis of some of the most important issues facing public school leaders in Illinois. We are fortunate to have the state's top legal talent to interact with us once again," Bob Hall, WIU educational leadership chair, said.
Sponsors of the 18th Annual School Law Conference include Western's department of educational leadership, the College of Education and Human Services at WIU, Regional Office of Education No. 26 and the Administrators' Roundtable of Western Illinois.
To register, send the $75 fee (students, $35) payable to Western Illinois University School Law Conference, to Robert Hall, Horrabin Hall 81, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455-1390. For more information, call 309/298-1070. The fee includes all sessions, conference materials, breakfast and refreshments. The School Law Conference flier (PDF) is available at www.wiu.edu/adminroundtable.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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