AASPA 2014 Pre-Conference Workshop Descriptions:
1. Paula A. Barran, Employment Attorney, Employment Leadership Training, Founding Partner
Banu K. Ramachandran, Attorney, Employment Law, Litigation, Higher Education
Barran Liebman LLP, Portland, OR
Domestic Violence and the Workplace: An Approach for School Personnel Administrators
Every year over a million people in the United States report a violent assault by an intimate
partner. Domestic violence perpetrators and stalkers do not limit their crimes to the home, and
the workplace is especially vulnerable because it is often the most reliable location in which to
find the target. Educational institutions present special challenges to employers concerned about
protecting their employees, the people who work around them, and certainly their students. Many
states have taken positive and assertive steps toward protecting individuals and society in
general by requiring employers to offer safety accommodations and protected leave to victims of
domestic violence and related crimes. Integrating the requirements of these laws into leave and
violence prevention policies and programs can present significant administrative challenges. Join
Paula and Banu in this session as they outline the practical concerns relating to this broad social
problem, identify the legal responsibilities employers have to address these concerns, and
provide case law and legislative highlights that administrators can use to develop a policy or
program that is designed to protect employers, employees and bystanders. This seminar will
provide valuable insight into recognizing, responding to, and preventing both domestic violence
and its legal repercussions in your workplace.
2. Michael Porter, Employment Attorney, Partner
Miller Nash LLP, Portland, OR
Which Ball Is In the Air? Juggling Disability Discrimination Laws in the Context of Mental
Disabilities
Many employees successfully manage impairments that are characterized by emotional,
cognitive, or behavioral dysfunctions, and the Americans with Disabilities Act and Family Medical
Leave Act have in many instances provided helpful protections and win-win solutions that allow
employees to succeed who otherwise might not. Notwithstanding these successes, the
challenges associated with managing the laws that surround mental disabilities can be
overwhelming. This session will address the constraints and opportunities presented by the ADA
and FMLA as well as information to consider about state laws and workers' compensation
rights. It will include case studies, application of the FMLA rules specific to instructional
employees, and information about fitness for duty exams that can arise under these laws. And
yes, there will be some juggling.
3. Eileen Hushbeck, Human Resource Director
Ashland School District, Ashland, OR
Job Descriptions
4. Susan Nisbet, Consultant
Nisbet Consulting, McMinnville, OR
Pragmatic Investigations
A step-by-step approach to the investigative process: design, communication, evidence
collection, interviewing and documentation. This session will include discussion and practical
application of the elements of an investigation to various types of complaints and allegations of
misconduct. It will review common errors and assumptions that interfere with a sufficient, fair and
objective investigation. A pragmatic investigation will reveal evidence determining the facts of the
matter.
5. Sally Wineman, Area Senior Vice President and Compliance Counsel
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Spokane, WA
Healthcare Reform: Implications of the ACA in 2014 and Beyond
The employer mandate may be delayed a year, but critical provisions of PPACA are still in play.
Many decisions employers make today will directly affect them and their employees in the year
ahead. Gallagher’s legal counsel, Sally Wineman, will provide a review of the highlights of
Healthcare Reform from 2010 to now and a guide for employers moving forward in 2014 and
beyond including changes under PPACA, as things stand today, and steps employers need to
take to navigate the changing landscape of healthcare.
6. Marsha Moyer, Director of Licensed Personnel and Staff Quality
MBM IMPAC, Turner, OR
HR's Role in Promoting Quality Teaching and Student Learning
The first step to improving student learning and growth is hiring quality educators, but what are
the next steps. During this three-hour interactive session participants will experience strategies
and techniques that they will be able to replicate in their districts to build the capacity of leaders to
improve instructional practices and promote high levels of student learning. Participants will
experience methodologies for assisting administrators at all levels to write effective observations
that impact an educator’s growth and development. Each participant will receive the PowerPoint
on a download that is ready to be customized for their district. Also, engage in a classroom
observation and rate the performance of the teacher in areas that are research-based to increase
student learning. Come and be prepared to be amazed by what we know or thought we knew
about effective teaching and its impact on student learning. This hands-on exercise will also be
presented and prepared for participates to replicate and present to their district staff. After
effectively capturing and interpreting observation data to determine its impact on student learning,
participants will next learn a structure and strategies for engaging educators in professional
conversations for growth. We will examine dialogues between teacher/administrator and school
administrator/supervisor.
7. Brian Hungerford, Employment Attorney
Hungerford Law, Oregon City, OR
Employee Discipline
8. Brian White, Executive Director of Human Resources and Operations
Auburn-Washburn USD 437, Topeka, KS
Networking is Recruiting: LinkedIn
This interactive session will get you up and moving in the world of LinkedIn and how to leverage
in recruiting for your district. You’ll learn about networking and the importance of networking to
your recruiting strategy. You’ll learn about the professional world of LinkedIn including profiles,
groups, and a professional page for your district. Then you’ll learn about the hidden world of
networking and recruiting on LinkedIn and how you can leverage to build a pipeline of talent for
your district.
9. Rebekah R. Jacobson, Attorney
Garrett Hemann Robertson P.C., Salem, OR
Use and Misuse of Technology in Education
From sexting, tweets and blogs, to cyber bullying and sexual grooming, technology issues are
presenting challenges to schools on a daily basis. This session will address the liability stemming
from employee and student use/misuse of technology, including services like Facebook, Twitter,
cell phones and web cams. Attendees are sure to enjoy this walkthrough style presentation,
using actual cases and incidents to identify legal issues and how to best handle them. The
presenters will address scenarios schools are facing every day and will provide a checklist for
how administrators should respond, when to involve law enforcement partners, and how to avoid
legal hotspots.
10. Lisa Freiley, Staff Counsel, Legal Director
Oregon School Boards Association, Salem, OR
Negotiation Strategies and Skills
11. Emily Douglas, Project Specialist, Human Capital
Battelle for Kids, Columbus, OH
Designing Sustainable Alternative Compensation Systems
12. Kathryn Kammer, Counsel
Miller Nash LLP, Portland, OR
FMLA