K-12 School Legal Guide For Special Events

What legal liability do you have for upcoming special events? Discover the current laws and situations you must consider.

As COVID-19 case rates skyrocket and Omicron sweeps the country, many schools are reevaluating their special event policies and procedures. The primary purpose of public schools is to educate children, but your school district plays a much broader role in your community. From dances to performances to ceremonies, K-12 schools are the venues for all sorts of special events.

These activities pose significant legal challenges to boards, administrators, and teachers even without a pandemic. You need to identify the potential risks and meet them effectively to protect your district’s reputation and financial well-being.

• What liability does the school district have for injuries at special events?
• Does the risk of COVID-19 spreading at events increase your district’s liability?
• What is the potential for personal liability among board members and staff?
• What roles do constitutional and statutory immunity play?
• How can liability insurance mitigate risk?
• How must you accommodate students with disabilities at special events?
• What are the liability differences between school-sponsored events and the use of facilities by outside groups?
• How are schools considered limited public forums? May you deny access?