Annual Notices Information

Last month, the Boardman& Clark Law Firm released this helpful chart of annual notices required under state and federal law.

Numerous state and federal laws require school districts to provide notices to students, parents, and/or the public. The attached chart lists state and federal laws and regulations that require districts to provide notice of a policy, procedure, or form. These notices vary as to when they must be provided; however, many notices must be provided at the beginning of the school year. While many of these notices have been around for years, the requirements of the notices occasionally are changed or new notices are added. Many of the federal agencies or Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction have created "model" notices or provide information useful to creating notices that could easily be tailored to meet each district's individual needs. 

The attached chart identifies:

• The subject matter of the notice required;
• The legal source of the notice;
• A statement about what is required in the notice; and
• How and when the notice must be communicated.

Some notices must be published in the newspaper while others must be published in a district newsletter, website, a handbook, by another method or a combination of methods. Many laws do not specifically state how notices must be distributed; however, almost all laws require the notice to be published annually in some fashion. Where the law or regulation specifies the timing of the notice, it is listed in the chart. The notices required before students return to school are listed with the notation "Mid-August." 

We hope you find this chart useful and can use it as a checklist against the notices you provide. While we have attempted to be complete, not all required notices may be listed. Importantly, you should know the chart does not include any employment notices required by state or federal law.

For questions or more information about this topic, please contact one of the attorneys listed below.