WEBINAR DESCRIPTIONS

STUDENT DISCIPLINE

Join us for a deep dive into "What Your School Law Professors Should Have Taught You," a series of engaging 20-30 minute segments designed to fill in the gaps. In our inaugural video, we tackle South Dakota Student Discipline head-on, unraveling the complexities of short-term suspensions, long-term suspensions, and expulsions. Get ready to master what you need to know for procedural compliance and why we don't care about hearsay!

EVALUATIONS/PLANS OF IMPROVEMENT

Welcome back to What Your School Law Professors Should Have Taught You, the bite-sized legal series you didn’t know you needed. In this second 20-30 minute segment, we’re diving into South Dakota teacher evaluations—why they matter, how they work, and what makes a teacher improvement plan actually helpful (and legally sound). If you’ve ever stared at a blank PIP wondering where to start, this session is your new best friend. This session includes a sample improvement plan.

SPECIAL EDUCATION - GENERALLY

In this third installment of What Your School Law Professors Should Have Taught You, we focus on the critical intersection of school leadership and special education law. In just 20–30 minutes, we’ll break down Child Find, the principal’s legal and practical role at IEP meetings, and why making sure general education teachers actually read IEPs isn’t just good practice—it’s a legal must.

SPECIAL EDUCATION - DISCIPLINE

In this fourth episode of What Your School Law Professors Should Have Taught You, we’re tackling the #1 question principals ask: how do you handle discipline for special education students? We’ll break down the difference between disciplinary changes in placement compared to IEP team decisions and walk through the ins and outs of manifestation determination reviews. Because when it comes to discipline and special education, the details matter—and so does knowing the process.

SECTION 504 - GENERALLY

In this fifth episode of What Your School Law Professors Should Have Taught You, we’re clearing up the confusion around Section 504—because it’s way more than just asthma and peanut allergies. This session will cover when students actually qualify for a 504 plan, what the law requires (and what it doesn’t), and how schools can avoid the common pitfalls that trip up even experienced educators. Spoiler: if your 504 process feels like guesswork, this one's for you. This session includes the KSB Section 504 template plan.

FERPA

In this sixth episode of What Your School Law Professors Should Have Taught You, we’re decoding the acronym everyone loves to fear: FERPA. What is it, what does it actually require, and why does education have so many acronyms anyway? In this segment, we’ll walk through the basics, highlight the key exceptions, and show you what to look for in your school’s policy—so you can stop losing sleep over student records.

SEARCHES

In this seventh episode of What Your School Law Professors Should Have Taught You, we’re digging into searches, lockers, and the Fourth Amendment. What’s the actual legal standard for student searches? Can you just open a locker? And how does your authority as a principal differ from law enforcement? This crash course breaks down the do’s, don’ts, and gray areas—so you can stay on the right side of the Constitution without second-guessing every search.

PARENTS

n this eighth episode of What Your School Law Professors Should Have Taught You, we’re answering a deceptively simple question: who is a parent under South Dakota and federal law? When custody battles, court orders, and conflicting requests collide, schools are often stuck in the middle. In this session, we’ll cover how to navigate rights of access, communication, and decision-making when parents don’t see eye to eye.

NONRENEWAL/TERMINATION/HEARINGS

In this ninth episode of What Your School Law Professors Should Have Taught You, we’re diving into nonrenewal and termination under South Dakota law. What do the statutes actually require? What does a personnel hearing look like? And how can schools handle these situations without turning them into legal disasters? In this session, we’ll break down the process, the pitfalls, and the paperwork—so you’re ready.

TOP SD SUPREME COURT CASES

In this tenth episode of What Your School Law Professors Should Have Taught You, we’re answering your most lawyerly request yet: South Dakota Supreme Court cases. You asked—we delivered. Whether you're a case law junkie or just want to understand how real rulings impact your day-to-day decisions, this session highlights key education cases every school leader should know. Honestly, some of you missed your calling—your court case curiosity is impressive.