TITLE IX SERVICES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS

[Pages:2]TITLE IX SERVICES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS

With the increasing attention to how school districts handle allegations of sexual misconduct, education clients partner with Husch Blackwell to receive comprehensive Title IX services on a cost-effective basis. First, we conduct policy audits and make recommendations to ensure that the school district's policies meet legal requirements and reflect best practices. Second, we develop customized Title IX desk references to ensure that all schools have appropriate and consistant forms to use in addressing, investigating and documenting complaints. Third, we provide in-depth coordinator and investigator training.

These services are available individually or in packages, and all are offered on a flat-fee basis.

Title IX Compliance Audit

Through this legal compliance audit service, Husch Blackwell attorneys review policies and procedures concerning sexual misconduct to identify areas of potential non-compliance with the latest Department of Education and statutory requirements, as well as industry best practices. School districts receive an audit report discussing findings and suggesting revisions or modifications as appropriate, and we meet with primary stakeholders (such as Title IX coordinators, office administrators or general counsels) to discuss the results and possible action items for improving compliance and minimizing risk.

Title IX Coordinator Desk Reference

Husch Blackwell's education team has applied its experience to develop a manual for those overseeing school districts' responses to sexual misconduct and other Title IX issues. The manual is customized to reflect each district's policies and procedures and can be used as a practical tool when investigating, resolving, and remediating sexual misconduct complaints and in monitoring trends and evaluating school climates. This manual includes a process flowchart, checklists, forms, templates, and logs presented in bound format as well as in fillable .pdf format for electronic tracking.

Title IX Coordinator/Investigator Training

These half-day, interactive, in-person training sessions are designed to provide Title IX coordinators, deputy coordinators, and investigators with a deep working knowledge of Title IX and the requirements it imposes on school districts with respect to sexual harassment/sexual violence. Training components include an overview of Title IX requirements as identified in the latest Department of Education guidance, in-depth training on the district's sexual harassment/sexual violence policy and procedures, best practices for complaint intake, investigation and adjudication, techniques for witness interviews and credibility determinations, and the practical application of course content to several fact scenarios already faced by others.

Our Team

Trainings are delivered by two-person teams that include at least one senior attorney.

John Borkowski, Partner, Chiago, IL, john.borkowski@, 312.526.1538

For nearly three decades, John has represented public school districts, colleges and universities, and others in the education sector. He understands the practical, legal and policy issues facing educational institutions at all levels. As a trusted advisor to his clients, John helps them to navigate the complexities of federal and state constitutions, statutes and regulations in order to promote their institutional goals, while ensuring compliance and minimizing risks. His experience covers a wide range of civil rights and educational funding issues. These areas include school desegregation, Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the ADA, FERPA, the Perkins Act, the Magnet Schools Assistance Act, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the rights of English language learners and immigrant students, voting rights, affirmative action, reverse discrimination and equal access and diversity.

Hayley Hanson, Partner, Kansas City, MO, hayley.hanson@, 816.983.8377

Hayley is the leader of Husch Blackwell's Higher Education group and devotes her practice exclusively to the representation of institutions of education, focusing on litigation in that industry, as well as on issues of regulatory compliance and accreditation. She is widely recognized as an industry leader in education law. She has broad experience in a diverse range of education issues, including extensive involvement as outside general counsel to a number of institutions as well as state and federal litigation of employment, student, and business issues for educational institutions.

Lisa Parker Freeman, Senior Counsel, Chicago, IL, lisa.parkerfreeman@, 312.526.1539

Lisa advises education institutions on a variety of matters. Her practice is dedicated to counseling and representing nstitutions in the areas of institutional and programmatic accreditation, regulatory compliance, risk management, litigation and student-related concerns. She has extensive on-the-ground industry experience at large and small educational institutions.

Elizabeth Samples, Senior Counsel, Kansas City, MO, elizabeth.samples@, 816.983.8271

Elizabeth focuses exclusively on representing educational institutions. She serves the unique needs of public, private, nonprofit and proprietary schools in many areas, including the following: Title IV federal student aid; Title IX athletics and sexual misconduct; the Clery Act; Americans with Disabilities Act/Section 504; student conduct and grievances; and disclosure and reporting requirements. Her past experience includes serving as an attorney for the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). As an OCR attorney, Elizabeth worked with many institutions of elementary and secondary education and higher education while investigating their compliance with federal civil rights statutes.

Mark Falkowski, Associate, St. Louis, MO, mark.falkowski@, 314.480.1974

Mark's practice is focused on representing and advising institutions of education on a variety of issues and challenges. Mark has significant experience routinely assisting clients with issues related to Title IX, ADA/Section 504, FERPA, regulatory compliance, employee and student issues, internal investigations, and in administrative and agency proceedings. Mark's understanding of the unique needs of schools extends to drafting institutional policies as well as training and guidance presentations.

Ben Irwin, Associate, Kansas City, MO, ben.irwin@, 816.983.8367

Ben concentrates his practice on compliance and governance issues confronted by institutions of education. He has extensive experience with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, ADA/Section 504, the Clery Act, the Violence Against Women Act and Title IX issues. He focuses on reviewing, amending, and drafting institutional policies to ensure they meet the needs of institutions while remaining in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. He also spends substantial time performing legal audits for schools for federal compliance purposes. Before joining Husch Blackwell, Ben worked in the Office of General Counsel for Valparaiso University.

Aleksandra Ostojic, Associate, St. Louis, MO, aleks.ostojic@, 314.345.6275

Aleks represents clients in the education, healthcare and manufacturing industries. Her litigation practice is concentrated in the areas of commercial, healthcare, education, toxic tort and product liability. Aleks counsels higher education and K-12 clients on compliance and litigation issues arising from federal statutes, including Title IX, Title IV, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Clery Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. She also assists clients with various risk management and compliance issues by reviewing and revising handbooks, policies and internal procedures. Prior to joining the firm, Aleks worked at the U.S. Department of Education, Office of the General Counsel in Washington, D.C. and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in Den Haag, Netherlands.

About Our Firm

Husch Blackwell is an industry-focused, full-service litigation and business law firm with locations in 19 U.S. cities and in London. We represent national and global leaders in major industries including energy and natural resources; financial services; food and agribusiness; healthcare, life sciences and education; real estate, development and construction; and technology, manufacturing and transportation.



Husch Blackwell llp | Arizona | Colorado | Illinois | Missouri | Nebraska | Tennessee | Texas | Washington, D.C. | Wisconsin | England

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