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Charles L. Jacobs

Grand Canyon University

Course Number: EAD- 505

Nesa Sasser

September 22, 2021

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Discovering the Relationship between the Law and Your School

Reviewing school district’s policy manual, certified staff manual, non-certified staff

manual, and student handbook I found some interesting rules and regulations that have to be

followed by law. The principal plays a major role in making sure that all of these rules and

regulations are being met and followed by staff and students. The principal’s duty is to oversee

the school and make sure that everything is being run smoothly and the law’s requirements are

being met and enforced in cases where they need to be enforced.

For our school at the district level we are a title I school and certain guidelines have to be

met when a district is under this title. For example on requirement is a certain amount of hours

has to be spent which involves students’ parents with school activities. If a school is not meeting

this requirement the school can lose funding the next school year. Also at the district level

principals are also mandated reporters meaning that if they see any type of abuse or mistreatment

to a child they have to report these observations to law enforcement, if they are not reported legal

action may be taken against them.

The certified staff and non-certified staff policies are expected to be enforced by the

principal at the school level. The principal is responsible to knowing the information in these

manuals and make sure that they have a strong understanding of all of the rules and regulations

that are found within these manuals. They have to know what they can and can’t ask of staff

members to make sure that they are not violating any laws. Non- certified staff in our school

district are only allowed to work a certain amount of hours per week and it is against policy for

them to exceed these hours. This is important the principal knows this because employees can

take legal action against them for break their work condition laws.
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Students also have laws that protect them while being at school; it is our job to make sure

that they are safe while they are under our watch and to make sure that the receive any services

that they may require. Our special education students have certain requirements and

accommodations that have to be met. Today in education it is an obligation that our special

education students in South Carolina are put in an inclusive environment with the least amount

of restrictions to their learning. Also student with IEP’s can’t receive more than 10 days of out of

school suspension. Violation of these laws can be punishable by law and can result in fines to the

district and cuts in funding.

The principal has to make sure they enact the policies that are fair and consistent for all

students and still stay consistent with the school’s vision. In order to stay consistent in all

situations they should follow the policies by the book and also make sure that they look at IEP’s

to make sure that they are providing the correct consequences when dealing with students that

may require special services. Making sure to stay consistent when enforcing the policies rules,

helps to reinsure the school’s vision and mission statement.

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References

https://hr.sumterschools.net/staff-2/human-resources-forms/

School Law and the Public Schools: A Practical Guide for Educational Leaders (Custom) (6th

Edition chapter_1_thru_10_and_12)