2026 VIRTUAL School Law Conference

Special Education Updates — Ahlers & Cooney

Time and Speaker: 9:05 a.m. — Miriam Van Heukelem

1. Counting partial or full days of suspension and what removal counts toward the 10 day limit.
2. What procedures are necessary and who is involved during manifestation determinations.
3. 45 day changes in student placement without manifestation and what behaviors permit these placements.
4. What services must be provided and what instruction should practically look like when a student is suspended beyond 10 days or has a lengthy change of placement.
5. Room clear procedures and notifications.
6. Use of restraints and seclusion rooms. Notification requirements and what does not need to be reported if it is part of an IEP.
7. Determining whether a school district is able to provide services and when open enrollment may be declined or terminated due to insufficient staff or services.
8. When transportation must be provided as a related service.

Use of AI with Students and Staff — F3 Law

Time and Speaker: 10:30 a.m. — Peter Fagen and Gretchen Shipley

1. Confidentiality issues when staff members use AI and input personnel or student information.
2. Addressing issues of student bullying and staff harassment when AI is used to create sexual images or other potentially harassing issues. What would the courts consider parody and what would they not consider parody? Factors impacting discipline, such as where the AI use took place, at what time, and on whose technology. When students post photos or video drinking and the schools attempt to implement Good Conduct Policies so students would be ineligible to participate in games or activities, students are often now claiming that the photos are AI. How may schools counter this, and when do they have a preponderance of evidence regarding images?
3. Student or staff use of AI on assignments, applications, or projects.
4. When is parental/guardian approval needed when a minor students uses technology and/or AI.

Legislative Updates — SAI

Time and Speaker: 11:45 a.m. — Dave Daughton

Dave will provide updates decisions made within the current legislative session and bills yet to be voted on.

Updates — Iowa Department of Education

Time and Speaker: 1 p.m. — Thomas Mayes

1. Coverage of the most significant regulatory changes in recent years.
2. Student attendance.
3. Other topics, as relevant.

Updates — BoEE

Time and Speaker: 2 p.m. — Beth Myers

1. Licensure, discipline, investigation, and other BoEE related topics.
2. Practical advice for administrators, whether relating to them, their teachers or coaches.
3. Discussion of the common areas that lead to complaints, as well as a step by step description of the investigation process and procedures.
4. How to respond if an administrator or other educator receives a complaints. 
5. Information on the required BoEE complaint reporting areas
6. Guidance regarding situations in which districts determine that a practitioner accidentally let their license lapse, but has been serving as a practitioner with an expired license.