Legal Questions

Legal Questions

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A Word from the Legal Team on BYOD School Policy

Many public school systems have permitted students to bring their own devices and cell phones to school for use in the classroom. It’s a great way to maximize resources especially in cash-strapped districts. But the headaches for educators may outweigh the benefit when there is no policy or one isn’t enforced. Every educator has experienced […]
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Teachers — Your On-the-Job Rights and Benefits

This is part three of a series about collective bargaining for Maryland educators. Read “Collective Bargaining — It Makes Your Contract Legally Binding” and “Bargaining Your Contract — Your Right and Duty.” The right to negotiate your work contract through your local education association is protected by law and only possible because the majority of your colleagues said “yes” […]
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Bargaining Your Contract — Your Right and Duty

In Maryland, education employees work under their negotiated contracts, which are written jointly by their union and board of education. At the bargaining table, teams from each side discuss and debate employee and employer issues and concerns that affect both sides. The outcome of the negotiations become the conditions that make up your daily work […]
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Overtime and Bargaining Units

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that establishes minimum wage and overtime pay for certain eligible employees. Under FLSA, employees who do not fall within the executive, administrative, and professional category are non-exempt employees who must be paid minimum wage and overtime pay for hours over 40 in a work week. […]
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Collective Bargaining — It Makes Your Contract Legally Binding

You probably know that every several years your local education association negotiates the employment contracts for educators through the collective bargaining process. It’s serious business and a very big deal. Collective bargaining is so important that it’s part of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, which gives certified and non-certified public education […]
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Medical Cannabis and Your Job

In 2014, Maryland decriminal- ized the possession of small amounts of marijuana and legalized medical marijuana. Since then, patients must acquire written certification from a licensed physician and register with Maryland’s medical marijuana program. Medical cannabis is only available in forms that can be vaporized (not smoked), or as extracts, lotions, ointments, and tinctures. On […]
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What Happens When an Education Employee Is Accused of Abuse or Neglect?

The number of allegations of abuse or neglect made against public school employees is continuing to skyrocket. A great many of the allegations are ruled out — meaning no abuse or neglect occurred — but the investigation process is incredibly stressful for employees because of the negative impact on reputation and possible job consequences. There are multiple agencies involved […]
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Educators and Immigration Advocacy

All students have the right to a free public education in this country regardless of their immigration status. With new emphasis on immigration policy enforcement, students are understandably and justifiably anxious. It is essential that all schools provide a welcoming and supportive environment. If you choose to be an educator-advocate for immigrant student rights, you […]
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What to Do If a Student Assaults You

In 2015, the U.S. Department of Education reported that from 2011 to 2012, approximately 20% of public school teachers reported being verbally abused, 10% reported being physically abused, and 10% reported being physically attacked in schools. In 2009, an Institute of Education Science School Principal Survey on Crime and Safety found that approximately 11% of […]
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