<img src="https://www.vsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/PolicyandLegalHeader.png" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://www.vsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/PolicyandLegalHeader.png 1024w, https://www.vsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/PolicyandLegalHeader-300x80.png 300w, https://www.vsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/PolicyandLegalHeader-768x205.png 768w" alt="" width="1024" height="273">
<h4>One of the main roles of a school board is to set policy. This strand covers topics in policy as well as legal topics that are relevant to the work of the school board.</h4>

<hr>

<h3><strong>POL 101</strong></h3>
<strong>VSBA Policy Services</strong>

The "guiding light" of any school division is its policy manual. VSBA Policy Services provides subscribers with policies that are based on state and federal laws and regulations and case law. Elizabeth Ewing, VSBA director of legal and policy services, is conducting a free webinar for school board members of divisions that use VSBA Policy Services who wish to learn more about this important service.

1 Hour- Free Webinar

<a href="https://youtu.be/lHaOtrPMs1A">Available Here</a>

<hr>

<h3><strong>POL 102</strong></h3>
<strong>Rethinking Redistricting: Policy-Making for more Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Schools </strong>

Board members might agree that we could add school redistricting or rezoning to Ben Franklin's expression about death and taxes: ". in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes...and rezoning." Much like the other two events, we all go through it, but why do we also dread it--particularly when it has so much potential to bring students together in more integrated learning environments? In this webinar we'll discuss why these decisions can be so divisive and what we can do to make both rezoning processes and outcomes more equitable. Whether you caught the discussion at our fall conference or haven't contemplated these issues at all, we'll highlight how your board can approach what can be a contentious issue and challenging time.

1 Hour- Free Webinar

<a href="https://youtu.be/Y9X0embb06s">Available Here</a>

<a href="https://www.vsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/POL-102-Powerpoint-Slides.pdf">To view the slides, click here. </a>

<hr>

<h3><strong>POL 103</strong></h3>
<strong>Equity Policy 101</strong>

Is your school division interested in developing an equity policy and doesn’t know where to start? Do you have questions about how to get community buy-in? This webinar will feature insights on how to get community support for your policy, how to educate key stake holders, and how to start the conversation and development of a policy in your division.

1 Hour- Paid Webinar

Contact VSBA to purchase

<hr>

<h3><strong>POL 104</strong></h3>
<strong>Filling Vacancies on Elected School Boards</strong>

Elected school boards occasionally find themselves short a member. Vacancies arise for a variety of reasons, such as a school board member moving outside the division because of a job change, health issues that demand attention, and many other situations. Virginia law specifies the steps that elected school boards must take with regard to filling vacancies.

1 Hour- Free Webinar

<a href="https://youtu.be/VUFBpHGWz58">Available Here</a>

<a href="https://www.vsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/POL-104-Powerpoint-Slides.pdf">To view the slides, click here. </a>

<hr>

<h3><strong>LEG 101</strong></h3>
<strong>The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)</strong>

The Freedom of Information Act has the laudable purpose of ensuring that citizens have ready access to public records and to the meetings in which the business of the public is conducted.  To the members of a public body, however, FOIA may sometimes seem like a hindrance to smooth operation.  The webinar will help school board members understand the purposes and requirements of FOIA and how to best meet those requirement in a legally defensible, efficient and fair manner.

1 Hour- Paid Webinar

Contact VSBA to purchase

<hr>

<h3><strong>LEG 102</strong></h3>
<strong>Statement of Economic Interest</strong>

Recent legislation made substantial changes to the to the State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act and to the Statement of Economic Interests Form that all school board members are required to file.  Learn about these changes and more so that you are prepared before the next filing deadline. <strong>    </strong>

1 Hour- Free Webinar

<a href="https://youtu.be/ObMgRlS8dcM">Available Here</a>

<hr>

<h3><strong>LEG 103</strong></h3>
<strong>Student Dress Codes and the First Amendment</strong>

The application of the First Amendment to student speech in public schools is one of the most challenging areas of the law for school board members and administrators to navigate.  Students often use their attire as a means of expressing their opinion or support for a particular cause.  This webinar will explore the First Amendment implications of implementing and enforcing a student dress code that attempts to place limitations on the messages that may be displayed on student attire.

1 Hour- Paid Webinar

Contact VSBA to purchase

<hr>

<h3><strong>LEG 104</strong></h3>
<strong>Court(ing) Consequences: Educational and Other Impacts for Court-Involved Kids</strong>

Kids who become court-involved can face far-reaching consequences, and those consequences can reach far outside the courts.  This presentation will cover some of the implications for a child’s educational, professional, and personal life during and after court proceedings, including dependency cases and delinquency matters.

1 Hour- Paid Webinar

Contact VSBA to purchase

<hr>

<h3><strong>LEG 105</strong></h3>
<strong>School Boards and the First Amendment: Five Things Every School Board Member Must Know</strong>

Join Stacy Haney and Pakapon Phinyowattanachip for this webinar covering current First Amendment "hot topics" facing school boards today, including confederate flags, student protests, social media, and more.  Participants will gain valuable insights on how to ensure compliance with the First Amendment.

1 Hour- Paid Webinar

Contact VSBA to purchase

<hr>

<h3><strong>LEG 106</strong></h3>
<strong>Attorney Client Matters</strong>

Join Craig Wood and Micah Schwartz for this webinar covering Attorney Client Matters and give insight on who the division attorney serves.  Participants will gain valuable insights by listening to the scenarios that Craig and Micah go through during this webinar.

1 Hour- Paid Webinar

Contact VSBA to purchase

<hr>

<h3><strong>LEG 201</strong></h3>
<strong>Special Education Implications of Online/Virtual Instruction</strong>

Virtual learning for students with disabilities is rapidly evolving across the commonwealth. This webinar will cover some of the practical policy and practice considerations for delivering instruction in virtual environments for students with disabilities.  The presenter will discuss recommended practices and basic tools that can assist educators in checking to ensure all content is accessible. He will also share some national data as well as ideas for promoting universal design of learning for all students.

1 Hour- Paid Webinar

Contact VSBA to purchase

<hr>

<h3><strong>LEG 202</strong></h3>
<strong>Courthouse Steps to Schoolhouse Gates: Working with Court-Involved Children</strong>

When students are involved in court matters -- whether those matters pertain to custody, delinquency, dependency, or other situations -- schools can often be caught in the middle. When faced with an alphabet soup of abbreviations and court terms (PO? GAL? CASA? ACA? CHINS? SDT?), and a lengthy list of involved players, every school that serves court-involved children (which is to say, every school) needs a roadmap to help understand the court process.

1 Hour- Paid Webinar

Contact VSBA to purchase

<hr>

<h3><strong>LEG 203</strong></h3>
<strong>The Bar Has Been Set High: Are Your Athletics Policies and Procedures in Compliance with the Law?</strong>

This webinar will discuss a number of hot topics in high school sports law, including Title IX, concussion and heat protocols and other safety issues, legal risks from boosters clubs, individual eligibility requirements, accommodating athletes with disabilities and transgender athletes.  The presenters are Craig Wood, Legal Counsel to the Virginia High School League, and Brad King, who serves as a VHSL Independent Hearing Officer.  Both represent school boards throughout Virginia and are regular speakers on legal issues affecting schools.

1 Hour- Paid Webinar

Contact VSBA to purchase

<hr>

<h3><strong>LEG 204</strong></h3>
<strong>Free Speech for Me but not for Thee: Issues Presented When School Board Members Communicate on Social Media</strong>

School Board members often communicate with their constituents through Facebook, Twitter, or other social media accounts.  In this webinar we will discuss challenges and limitations such as removing comments or blocking individuals.  In addition Constitutional issues and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act will be discussed.

1 Hour- Paid Webinar

Contact VSBA to purchase