Building a Defensible Record: Advising School Officials on Effective Staff Evaluations

Accurate, constructive staff evaluations are critical to both employee growth and sound school district decision-making. This webinar will equip school district counsel to guide administrators in developing and documenting performance evaluations that serve dual purposes: supporting employee improvement and creating a reliable record for any future employment action. Our presenter will discuss best practices for aligning evaluations with district policy and collective bargaining agreements, identifying and describing performance issues objectively, and ensuring the evaluation process withstands legal scrutiny. Participants will gain practical strategies to help school officials draft clear, evidence-based evaluations that protect both the educator’s rights and the district’s interests.

Presenter: Jacqueline M. Litra, Partner, F3 Law, Los Angeles, CA

Registration is required and available at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/MgLLscyARXK_JNCuoRCtmA

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 12:00 p.m. Eastern

Spotlight on Federal Funding: Navigating Compliance, Flexibilities, and Challenges

This session will examine recent trends in federal education funding, with a particular focus on the use of waivers and other flexibilities, as well as grant funding challenges arising from determinations by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Presenters will provide attorneys with practical guidance on preparing strong waiver requests under ESEA section 8401, effectively using ESEA transferability provisions, and evaluating the potential benefits of Ed-Flex authority. The session will also review emerging developments in Title IX and Title VI–based funding challenges. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how these federal requirements intersect, the key issues to monitor as the legal landscape evolves, and strategies for advising school districts on maintaining compliance.

Presenters: Josie Eskow Skinner and Jill Siegelbaum, Sligo Law Group