Education Law 2025: Teacher Contracts, Student Discipline, and the Impact of Technology

James P. Evans | Barclay Damon LLP

Mr. Evans is a Partner with Barclay Damon LLP. He represents public school districts and private educational organizations, and several charter schools. He has also represented post-secondary institutions relative to accreditation matters and litigation. Mr. Evans has represented educational institutions in both Michigan and New York over the past 30 years, providing them with advice and representation concerning the full gambit of legal issues that confront schools, including labor and employment, discrimination and harassment claims, student rights, student discipline, educating the student with disabilities, constitutional law, public finance, board governance, and risk management. Mr. Evans received his juris doctorate degree, cum laude, from Syracuse University College of Law in 1991. He received his undergraduate degree from the State University of New York in 1983. Mr. Evans served in the United States Marine Corps. from 1983 until 1993, attaining the rank of Captain and having received the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device, and Southwest Asia Service Medal. He is located in Barclay Damon’s Syracuse office.

I. Legal issues with teacher contracts, dismissal, unions, and more | 2:00pm – 2:30pm

• Teacher contract essentials
• Key legal considerations in teacher dismissal
• Operating with unions and collective bargaining
• Recent developments regarding teacher contracts and employment rights

II. Future-proofing education: Implications of tech in schools | 2:30pm – 3:00pm

• Legal implications of integrating technology into educational settings
• Addressing privacy concerns student data and AI
• Compliance with federal and state regulations regarding technology use
• Case studies on the impact of technology on educational practices

Break | 3:00pm – 3:10pm

III. Special education law: Changes you need to know | 3:10pm – 3:30pm

• Recent updates in special education law
• Key compliance requirements under IDEA and ADA
• Best practices for developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
• Legal challenges and case law affecting special education

IV. Student discipline: Best practices and current developments | 3:30pm – 3:50pm

• Legal standards governing student discipline
• Current trends in disciplinary actions and due process rights
• Strategies for implementing fair and effective discipline policies
• Recent case law impacting student discipline practices

V. Recent legal trends and significant education law cases | 3:50pm – 4:10pm

• Analysis and implication of significant education law cases in the past year
• Discussion of emerging legal trends in education law