EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MESSAGE

Our Address has Changed:  WSPA  -  PO BOX 14459  -  Tumwater, WA  98511 (Please make sure to get this information to your business dept.)

Greetings,

Member Request: if anyone has FMLA documents that are current and have possibly been vetted by an attorney please contact me at dheisler@wspa.net. 

Preparations are continuing for the upcoming 15th Annual School Law Conference "Times They are A'Changin" at the Double Tree Hilton at South Center, October 10-11 (be sure to save the date). We are still in the process of finalizing the agenda (listed below) If you have any additional ideas, please email me at admin@wspa.net.   Remember our membership year runs from September 1 through August 31.  We are partnering with WASA to manage our memberships, finances, and registrations starting this year, Evelyn (Eve) Johnson is our contact and she will be sending out invoices to you very soon for renewing your membership.  If you have questions, please do not hesitate to email her at ejohnson@wspa.net.

We have decided on a date and venue for our Annual Conference in February (Region 4), (February 26-March 1, 2023 at the Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront).  More information will be coming soon for our Bargaining Workshop in late January, 2023.  Our Career Fairs will be held in...Spokane (March 14, 2023), and Tacoma (March 28, 2023).

Law Conference topics DRAFT...

• Debriefing the 2022 bargaining with Buzz Porter of Porter, Foster, and Rorick
• Panel on Title IX Where Are We Today- address that it is still too early to know but touch on it (Floeting case). Preventing sexual abuse and best practices, Conduct and introduction happening off campus (district liability), Where to find Title IX coordinator training 
• Title IX Investigations with Rick Kaiser of the Law Offices of Rick Kaiser
• Personnel Issues: Leaves, Accommodations, COVID lingering issues
• Special ED updates on residential placements with Carlos Chavez of Pacifica Law Group LLP
• Case Law Update/Year in Review with Charles Leitch of Patterson, Buchanan, Fobes, & Leitch
• School Based Health Care Centers - this year the state legislature added funding for SBHCs with Mark O'Donnell of Preg, O'Donnell, & Gillett
• Issues of sexual harassment and HIB training
• Special ED : Recovery Services and/or Isolation and Restraint with Lynette Baisch of Porter, Foster, Rorick LLP
• Kennedy Vs Bremerton Supreme Court Decision (Freedom of Expression) 
• Supreme Court weakened ability of schools to control or discipline for student speech/conduct off campus or on social media (Mahanoy cheerleader case) yet public expects schools to be more proactive re threat assessment, School Board Censure issue, Public Funding of Religious Schools, and next step for "school choice" advocates--an effort to seek public funding of religious charter schools with Tyna Ek of Soha & Lang, P.S.
• Types of restricted speech by schools with Charles Leitch
• Hostile Work Environment with J. MacKay of
• Parenting Plans, Guardianships, and Protective Orders with Emma Gillespie of Preg, O'Donnell, & Gillett
• Preparing for the 2022 Washington State Legislative Session with Dan Steele of Washington Association of School Administrators
• Student Suicide and suicide idealization and school district obligations
• Paraeducator requirements for school districts and the law with Heidi Maynard & Erin Sullivan of Vandeberg, Johnson, & Gandara
• Guns on campus + 3D printing of guns   

Funny for the week: When I asked my wife, why she started hoarding all these craft supplies, she said, "I am not a Hoarder, I am the curator of an extensive private Craft Supply collection"

As always, thank you for everything you do.  You are appreciated!  I hope you have an enjoyable last couple weeks of Summer with family and/or friends.

Darrell Heisler

WSPA Executive Director