Primer on COVID-19 Legal Issues for Private School Leaders
Many of WCRIS’ counterparts in states hit early by the COVID-19 pandemic have identified legal issues of unique concern to private school leaders. They range from tuition issues, relations with parents, employer responsibilities with work-at-home staff, contracts for canceled events, liability waivers for on-site staff, and a myriad of other questions. Who knew?
Thanks to the state network of the Council for American Private Education (CAPE), a primer has been made available by Fisher Phillips, a nation-wide law firm that has Chicago attorneys admitted to the Wisconsin Bar.
The “Comprehensive COVID-19 Strategy Plan for Independent and Private Schools” raises many issues you may not have thought about, but may want to. The primer is not a replacement for your school’s own legal counsel. Nor should it be viewed as legal advice. It is merely a starting point to help expand your thinking on potential areas of concern before they arise as real issues.
Guidance on How the New Federal Coronavirus Laws Affects your School
Congress passed and the President signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act on March 18. A summary of the law’s provisions are found here.
There are resources to help you understand the impact to your school as an employer:
- The Department of Labor has a frequently asked questions page about how the public health emergency affects labor rules and regulations.
- The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) published its first round of implementation guidance pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
Fact Sheets:
- A fact sheet for employees can be found here.
- A fact sheet for employers can be found here.
- Common questions and answers can be found here.
Families First Coronavirus Act Question
The Families First Coronavirus Act was introduced in Congress on March 11, 2020, and was signed by the President on March 18, 2020. Primers on the law are available from three reputable sources:
- Wisconsin Manufacturer’s & Commerce has a good overview of the law;
- Another summary in laymen’s terms is available from Jackson Lewis, which has specialized in labor law since 1958;
- and, a legislative summary from ACSI.
