Board Governance Archives | Leasor Crass, P.C.

Category: Board Governance

Board Operating Procedures Did Not Restrict Speech

A judge recently issued an important ruling in a citizen’s 2021 lawsuit against a Texas school district regarding board policies and operating procedures addressing the parameters of public comment during school board meetings. In August 2021, a citizen addressed a district’s board of trustees during the public comment portion of the open meeting. While offering […]

“In God We Trust” Sign Donations: How Should Districts Respond?

Senate Bill 797, enacted in August of 2022, requires public elementary and secondary schools to display in a conspicuous place in each building of the school or institution a durable poster or framed copy of the United States national motto, “In God We Trust.” The signs must be donated or purchased with private funds and […]

<img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." />

Student Trustees Would Be Mandatory Under Senate Bill 272

By Heather Castillo Here at Leasor Crass, we are keeping a close eye on the bills being filed for the upcoming Texas legislative session which will either directly affect or have some impact on our clients. Filed on December 30, 2020, Senate Bill 272 really caught our attention. It requires a school district board of […]

<img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." />

COVID-19 UPDATE

Below are today’s updates regarding COVID-19 and its impact on Texas public schools. For additional resources, please visit our COVID-19 page. Title IX: Questions and Answers Regarding the Final Rule Dean Micknal, Partner and Victoria Elliott, Associate On May 6, 2020, the US Department of Education issued an extensive update to the Title IX regulations […]

Now They Tell Us: Authority to Regulate Public Comments

On April 22, 2020, the Attorney General provided additional guidance on the implementation of Texas Government Code §551.007. This section went into effect on September 1, 2019 and the sections addressed in the Opinion state: A governmental body shall allow each member of the public who desires to address the body regarding an item on […]

<img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." />

COVID-19 UPDATE

Below are today’s updates regarding COVID-19 and its impact on Texas public schools. For additional resources, please visit our COVID-19 page. TEA Special Education and Special Populations Updates for the Week of April 20, 2020 Dean Micknal, Partner The Texas Education Agency reorganized its COVID-19 Support: Special Education webpage last week. The revised site, which […]

How Does Your District Calculate FMLA Leave? You May Want to Make a Policy Change

We know that two new Family Medical Leave Act laws related to the COVID-19 pandemic went into effect on April 1, 2020, as follows: Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLEA) which extends Family and Medical Leave; and Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) which provides for emergency paid sick leave for absences. These […]

<img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." />

COVID-19 UPDATE

Below are today’s updates regarding COVID-19 and its impact on Texas public schools. For additional resources, please visit our COVID-19 page. TEA Special Education and Special Populations Updates for the Week of April 13, 2020 Dean Micknal, Partner The Texas Education Agency has continued to post and revise guidance regarding Special Education and Special Populations […]

<img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." data-src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" class="lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img src="https://leasorcrass.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/logo-footer.png" alt="Leasor Crass, P.C." />

COVID-19 UPDATE

Below are today’s updates regarding COVID-19 and its impact on Texas public schools. For additional resources, please visit our COVID-19 page. Documenting Temporary SPED Services Dean Micknal, Partner; Victoria Elliott, Associate During the current pandemic, public school districts have an ongoing obligation to provide FAPE to students with disabilities. Therefore, district personnel need to attempt […]

COVID-19 Guidance for School Districts

We here at Leasor Crass know that school districts are faced with a number of issues related to the possible spread of COVID-19. The purpose of this guidance is to address some of the more common questions we have encountered. This guidance is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for obtaining legal […]

What our clients say

Great Service, Professional Staff

Leasor Crass has been an invaluable asset to Wylie Independent School District for 8 years. As a trusted advisor and reliable guide, the firm has consistently supported us through every challenge we’ve faced. Their common sense and pragmatic approach to the law have earned them greater trust with each passing year. We feel incredibly fortunate to have them represent our school district. With their ongoing support and guidance, we are confident in our ability to overcome any obstacle as we continue to strive for educational excellence.

– Dr. David Vinson, Superintendent, Wylie Independent School District

Read our Testimonials

July 11, 2023

House Bill 3 Strengthens School Safety and Security

House Bill 3 brings major changes to school safety, specifically requiring districts to strengthen active shooter policies and safety plans. Effective September 1, 2023, it is imperative that districts begin to review the new requirements of HB 3 to ensure policies and procedures are compliant in time for the upcoming school year. Security Officers/Facility Safety […]

Read More

Visit Blog