We are proud to announce an exciting partnership between Thompson & Horton and the Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators (TASPA). This partnership will kick off with an insightful four-part webinar series for the 2024-2025 school year!

Designed specifically for Texas public school HR administrators and staff, this series will address key challenges, best practices, and essential legal updates you need to navigate the upcoming year successfully.

This is your chance to expand your expertise and stay ahead of critical HR issues—without leaving the office! The webinars are free for current TASPA members and $25 for non-members, making it an accessible and invaluable resource for anyone in public school HR.

What to Expect:

Each session will dive into important topics that will help guide you through various aspects of personnel management, compliance, and policy execution.

Webinar Dates & Topics:

September 24, 2024 – Who’s on First: Processing and Responding to Requests for Personnel Records

On any given day, a school district can receive multiple requests for information, ranging from student records requests to public information requests to subpoenas (and more!). Odds are, when a request seeks access to or copies of personnel files, your team gets involved. Join Thompson & Horton attorney Morgan Beam to learn the various methods third parties might use to obtain records and information about current and former employees and the district’s obligations when responding to each. After this session, you will have a better understanding of how to recognize and interpret a request, when to involve legal counsel in your response efforts, and possible consequences for failing to timely or fully respond to a request. This webinar is geared toward requests personnel records specifically, but public information officers and others responsible for responding to records requests will also find the information useful.

October 30, 2024 – Preparing for Nonrenewal Season: Learning from Others’ Experiences and Strategies

Help your district prepare for the upcoming nonrenewal season by learning from the experiences of others. Join Thompson & Horton attorney Amber King for a review of key takeaways and actionable insights to navigate this critical period effectively. This presentation will provide HR professionals with a review of specific cases and scenarios to illustrate practical solutions and possible roadblocks encountered when determining whether to move forward with separating employment with a contract employee.

March 5, 2025 – It’s Go Time!: How to Ensure You Properly Carry Out Chapter 21 Contract Decisions

Everyone has (hopefully) been preparing for nonrenewal season all year, but is your team really ready? Join Thompson & Horton attorneys Stephanie Hamm and Celena Vinson to discuss best practices for file review meetings, discussing resignations, and carrying out end-of-year terminations and nonrenewals in compliance with Texas law and board policies. This presentation will help HR professionals ensure that all the hard work leading up to nonrenewal season doesn’t go to waste based on missed deadlines, insufficient notice, or other missteps.

April 23, 2025 – First Amendment Freedoms and Boundaries: Navigating Speech Rights In and Out of the Classroom

In today’s complex educational environment, understanding First Amendment rights and limitations is crucial for educators. Join Thompson & Horton attorneys Chris Gilbert and Amber King for an overview of how free speech is protected and regulated within educational settings and beyond. This presentation aims to equip HR professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to assist employees in understanding and balancing their constitutional rights and professional responsibilities. Whether you’re looking to fine-tune your HR processes or tackle complex legal matters, this series has something for everyone. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from experts in the field and connect with peers who share your challenges and goals.

For more details and to register for one or all of these sessions, click the link below:
Register Now

We look forward to seeing you there!