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NCASA’s School Law and Policy Symposium, which started in 2011, is a go-to fall training event for all facets of school administration. The symposium features some of NC’s top education attorneys and subject matter experts who provide law and policy updates and guidance to ensure compliance and efficiency in school and district operations supporting students statewide.
REGISTRATION RATES
The Special Rate for Groups of 10 or more is $215.00/person.
NOTE: Registration is only for active school administrators and not companies/consultants or those in the private sector. To receive the Special Group Rate, to ask a question about this event, or for sponsorship opportunities please contact Assistant Executive Director Karen Owens.
AGENDA
** The agenda items below are preliminary. Content will be updated here as it is finalized. **
Monday, September 8, 2025
| TIME | CONTENT | SPEAKER(S) |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 – 8:45 a.m. | REGISTRATION, CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST, & NETWORKING | |
| 8:45 – 10:15 a.m. | Welcome, Overview, and 2025 State Public School Laws Update | Katherine Joyce, NCASA Executive Director |
| 10:15 – 10:30 a.m. | BREAK & NETWORKING | |
| 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Recent Court Cases Affecting Public Schools | Brian Shaw, JD, Campbell Shatley, PLLC |
| 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | LUNCH | |
| 1:05 – 1:35 p.m. | 2025 State Budget Update | Bill O’Donnell, NCASA Legislative Affairs & Policy Manager |
| 1:40 – 2:40 p.m. | Breakout Session 1 | |
| Generative AI: Navigating Risks and Emerging Challenges | Kristi A. Nickodem, Robert W. Bradshaw Jr. Distinguished Term Assistant Professor of Public Law and Government, UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government | |
| Top 10 School Law Developments of the Last 40 Years | Brian Shaw, JD, Campbell Shatley, PLLC | |
| 2:40 – 3:00 p.m. | BREAK & NETWORKING | |
| 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Breakout Session 2 | |
| Handling Freedom of Information Act Requests | Dionne Jenkins, General Counsel, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools | |
| FLSA, FMLA, and Other Employee Leave Requirements | Katie Cornetto, JD, Poyner Spruill |
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
| TIME | CONTENT | SPEAKER(S) |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. | CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST & NETWORKING | |
| 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. | State Health Plan and State Retirement System Update | TBD |
| 9:30 – 9:45 a.m. | BREAK & NETWORKING | |
| 9:50 – 10:50 a.m. | Breakout Session 3 | |
| Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About: Navigating the Free Speech Rights of Students and Employees | Dionne Jenkins, General Counsel, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools | |
| Employee Grievances, Rights, Reviews, Investigations, and Action Plans | Nickolas J. Sojka, Jr., General Counsel, Cumberland County Schools | |
| 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Breakout Session 4 | |
| Avoiding Legal Pitfalls In Serving Exceptional Children | Rachel Hitch, JD, Poyner Spruill | |
| Best Practices in School Administrator Contracts | Rachel Beaulieu, JD, Rachel Beaulieu Law | |
| 12:00 – 12:30 p.m. | LUNCH | |
| 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. | K-12 Issues from Capitol Hill: Executive Orders, USED Changes, and More | Rachel Hitch, JD, Poyner Spruill |
| 2:00 p.m. | ADJOURNMENT |
LODGING
The StateView Hotel, Autograph Collection
2451 Alumni Drive Raleigh, NC 27606
Room Block Discount: $182/night (plus taxes & fees)
Room Block Deadline: August 15, 2025 (or when block is full)
