Published by MoASBO, March 2018 We all watched with heavy hearts as Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma devastated the states of Texas, Florida, and the Atlantic region. Missouri has also experienced its share of historic flooding and storms over the past few years. ...
Section 504: What’s New and What’s Next – By: Betsey Helfrich
Published by MARE, November 2017 This spring was a busy season for the United States Supreme Court with regard to special education cases. One case decided by the Court in February 2107, Fry v. Napoleon Community Schools, (137 S.Ct. 743) may have an impact on the...
Sarah Schmanke & Betsey Helfrich to Speak at Annual LRP Institute
On April 26, 2017 Sarah Schmanke and Betsey Helfrich will be speaking at the 38th Annual Institute on Legal Issues of Educating Individual with Disabilities in National in Harbor, Maryland. Sarah and Betsey will be discussing the important topic of "Legal...
2017 School Law Seminars Announced
Mickes O'Toole is pleased to announce the 34th annual School Law Seminars. The topics this year will include; This Just In . . . Recent Legislative Updates Affecting Your School Sexual Harassment: Protecting District Employees and Yourself Building for the Future: ...
How are you Sharing Information with Substitute Staff? Examining the Obligation to Share Key Student Information – By: Betsey Helfrich
Published by MoASBO, November 2015 We are often reminded of the duty to protect confidential student information and are diligent in taking steps to ensure that student data and sensitive information is handled with care. However, there are times when we should and,...
Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission Finds for Van-Far R-I School District in IDEA Due Process Case
On June 6, 2014, the Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission (AHC) issued Finding of Fact and Conclusions of Law in favor of the Van-Far R-I School District on all counts in a special education due process complaint filed by the parents of a Van-Far student. The...
US Court of Appeals Finds For Avilla R-III in ADA/Sec 504 Suit
Parents of two special education students sued the Avilla R-XIII School District in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri alleging that Avilla’s failure to have a proper discrimination grievance procedure violated the ADA and Section 504 of the...
Federal Court dismisses ADA Suit Against Investment Group of Rolla
On June 10, 2013, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri dismissed the last of three separate ADA lawsuits filed against Mickes Goldman O'Toole, LLC clients in Phelps County Missouri (the other two cases had previously been dismissed)....
Administrative Hearing Commission Dismisses Cases Against West St Francois County School District
On February 1, 2013, the Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission (“AHC”) dismissed two Due Process Complaints that had been filed against MGO client West St. Francois County R-IV School District. The cases styled, A.M. v. West St. Francois County R-IV School...
MGO Recovers $18,000 in Attorney Fees in ADA Lawsuit
On January 15, 2013, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri granted a motion to dismiss filed by MGO attorneys Ernie Trakas and Betsey Helfrich on behalf of firm client Phelps County Bank (“PCB”). The case, Steelman v. Phelps Co. Bank,...