Law Conference HomeConference Program
7:30 - 8:45 a.m. - Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:45 a.m. - Welcome
9 - 10:15 a.m. – Session I
Rock, Paper, Scissors, and Improving Special Education Dispute Resolution
Speaker: Ty Manieri, Attorney, Special Education Department-Louisiana Department of Education
The individual with Disabilities Education Act requires states to provide parents and school districts with a continuum of options for assistance with the resolution of complaints concerning special education.
The Louisiana Department of Education offers a range of adversarial and non-adversarial dispute resolution options for addressing disagreements about services, placements, discipline, and other issues related to the provision of special education.
This presentation will discuss the range of dispute resolution options available through the Department and will explore practical techniques that parents, advocates, and school staff can implement to manage conflict and encourage the resolution of disputes in the least adversarial fashion.
10:15 - 11:30 a.m. – Session II
Act 1 Examination of Legislation
Speaker: John M. Church, Louisiana State University Law Center, Harry S. Redmon, JR., Associate Professor of Law
This session will focus on the constitutionality of Act 1, pros and cons, and the legal quagmire Act 1 poses for school districts.
11:30 - 11:45 a.m. - Break
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. - Lunch & Keynote Speaker
Judge Alvin Sharp: “Current laws affecting K-12 education”
1:00 - 2:15 p.m. – Session III
Reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act of 2013: School Districts Beware!
Speaker: William R. Corbett, Louisiana State University Law Center Frank L. Maraist Professor of Law
With the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 2013, Title III identifies services, protection, and justice for young victims of violence.
What are the legal implications (cases) for school districts for non-compliance with the VAWA Act of 2013?
2:15 - 2:30 p.m. - Break
2:30 - 3:45 p.m. - Session IV
Sex Harassment in the Workplace: What School District Need to Know?
Speaker: Nathan Roberts, Attorney and Professor - University of Louisiana at Lafayette Mr. & Mrs. E.P. “Pat” Nalley BORSF Professorship in Education
This presentation will focus on identifying and reducing sexual harassment issues and methods to investigate and remedy and/or avoid situations either between various school personnel or between students and school personnel.
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Session V
Panel Discussion “Guns in School: Will Gun Free Zones Be Shot Down?”
Moderator:
Troy Humphrey, Attorney, Louisiana Department of Education
Panelists:
Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent of the Louisiana State Police
Sheriff Jay Russell, Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Department
James Spruel, Jr., Attorney
Clifford Strider, Louisiana Attorneys General Office/Division of Gaming
This expert panel will deal with this question: What are the legal implications for school districts and school administrators when teachers carry guns in school? This panel will also deal with current bills moving through the legislature that deal with guns and who will be eligible to carry guns in school and/or on school property.