Independent Schools, Tax-Exempt Status, and Title IX: Implications of Recent Federal Court Decisions

Federal courts in both Maryland and California have recently held that an independent school’s 501(c)(3) status, alone, subjects it to Title IX. While these rulings are, for the moment, limited to independent schools in Maryland and California, they signal a potential sea change in whether or how independent schools must comply with various federal laws including Title IX (sex), Title VI (race), the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

In this engaging webinar, Linda S. Johnson, Susan E. Schorr, and Brian B. Garrett will analyze the impact of these rulings on independent schools in Maryland, California, and throughout the country. We will provide a primer on Title IX including its various obligations on covered institutions, and explore the various options schools have to address this development as well as the impact these decisions may have on the expected standard of care for all independent schools. Listen in to find out if your school should consider (a) having an assigned Title IX or Title IX-like coordinator, (b) whether you need to modify your existing policies and procedures, (c) how you process complaints or conduct investigations and (d) what types of postings and notices should be provided.

Program
Webinar – 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET

Cost
This event is being offered as a free education session.

Location
Webinar

Linda S. Johnson
Director, McLane Middleton
Chair of the firm’s Education Law Group

Linda focuses her practice on understanding and serving the needs of K-12 independent schools. She serves as outside legal counsel and a consultant to many of the country’s top independent day and boarding schools. She advises her clients on all aspects of school operations including employment law, student discipline, contracts, fiduciary and tort law, leadership development, investigations, compliance audits, risk management, crisis response, and student safety. Linda consults with schools on both prevention and response to all types of educator misconduct and student on student sexual assaults.

Brian B. Garrett
Of Counsel, McLane Middleton
Vice Chair of the firm’s Education Law Group

Brian has extensive experience in a broad range of education, employment, and complex commercial litigation matters throughout the country, including in state and federal courts, in alternative resolution processes, and before various administrative agencies. Brian focuses his practice on understanding and serving the needs of independent day and boarding schools, colleges and universities, and early child care programs. Brian partners with many of the country’s leading independent schools to provide comprehensive advice on all aspects of school operations, including establishing new schools, student and parent issues, employment matters, school governance and leadership, and general risk management. He works closely with board chairs, heads of schools, financial officers, and other senior leadership members in tackling complex matters affecting school communities.

Susan E. Schorr
Of Counsel, McLane Middleton
Vice Chair of the firm’s Education Law Group

Susan focuses her practice on education and employment, helping clients with general risk management, real-time problem solving, and crisis management. Grounded in thorough legal analysis, she offers practical advice and responsiveness. With a background as a social worker, public administrator, and a trustee of non-profit organizations herself, Susan approaches client challenges with an ability to integrate a variety of problem-solving frameworks, helping clients to arrive at practical solutions.