Education Law
SRH provides legal services to independent schools, and to families who have students who need special education, related services, or reasonable accommodations in school.
School Compliance & Regulatory Support
We offer representation and strategic counseling and advice to educational institutions including early childhood education programs, elementary, and secondary education schools, to assist in ensuring compliance with the complex state and federal laws and regulations involved in operating independent schools.
Our education law expertise includes the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title 16 of the Vermont Statutes, and the Vermont State Board of Education Rules. We also provide advice and assistance for independent schools in ensuring good governance and employment practices, along with general counsel regarding contracts, school property issues, development and revision of policies and procedures, and other legal needs.
Examples of how we have helped school clients:
- Assisted in maintaining compliance with Vermont education and early childhood education statutes and rules including the Independent Schools Rule, Act 166 (Universal Pre-K) requirements, and child care licensing regulations
- Organizational governance assistance, including revision of bylaws and articles of incorporation
- Employment law compliance and HR advice including employee handbook development and revisions
- Contract drafting and review
- Corporate conversion, mergers and acquisitions, winding up and dissolution
- Land use permitting
- Obtaining tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service
We also assist early childhood education programs with similar formation, employment, real estate, governance, and other nonprofit related issues.
Advocacy for Students & Families
We guide families through every part of the special education process from securing an initial eligibility evaluation, to developing an individual education program (IEP), to ensuring graduation readiness, and every step in between. We assist parents, guardians, and students in securing services that create opportunities for independent living, post-secondary education, and employment. Representation includes consultations, representation at school meetings, and representation in dispute resolution, impartial due process hearings, and court actions.
Examples of how we help families:
- Advocating before, at, and after IEP or 504 meetings for appropriate accommodations and modifications to support inclusion across academic and non-academic school offerings
- Supporting families in ensuring IEP or 504 services align with long-term goals for independence and supported decision making (SDM) by setting annual IEP goals and including instructional services for building skills essential to successful independent and supported decision-making
- Mediating disputes over services, least restrictive environment, and placement
- Addressing disciplinary matters with attention to student needs, compliance with due process obligations under IDEA and 504, and opportunities for trauma-informed restorative approaches
Education Attorneys
How can we help you make a difference?
Hiring an attorney is about finding someone you trust to advocate for you. We take our obligations to our clients seriously, and will do everything we can to help you succeed.
