Practice Areas
Education Law
We have represented school districts throughout Pennsylvania for 37 years. We have served as Solicitor for many districts throughout Western Pennsylvania including the School District of Pittsburgh. Additionally, we have been Special Counsel for numerous school districts on matters involving collective bargaining and local agency hearings, including dismissal of employees, student hearings and related matters. Additionally, we have been deeply involved in the development of legislation involving amendments to the Public School Code of 1949 which has enhanced management rights throughout Pennsylvania. All of our attorneys have experience in education law including governance matters, Special Education, Right to Know, Sunshine Act, the entire range of personnel matters, and local taxation issues. Our goals have been to provide a high level of personal service at sensible, financial rates.
General Education
The Law Offices of Ira Weiss provides legal advice in all areas of education law, including student issues, general policy matters and compliance with the mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Our attorneys are always available to provide school district clients with advice relating to student discipline, attendance and enrollment. We routinely review, revise and draft School Board policies and administrative regulations and provide information and assistance for NCLB compliance.
The Law Offices of Ira Weiss has been instrumental in the development of many major initiatives and projects including the development and environmental remediation of the Performing Arts High School site in Pittsburgh (CAPA), the implementation of the Pittsburgh Promise agreement with UPMC, which resulted in the largest gift to public education in history – $100 million, and the implementation of the performance-based compensation system for teachers which is recognized as a national model. In addition, we represented the School District of Pittsburgh in the assembly of the site of the Faison Elementary and Intermediate Center which involved the acquisition of nearly 100 parcels. In addition, we have extensive experience in handling certification disputes and representing districts successfully in subsidy cases resulting from certification audits.
Special Education
The Law Offices of Ira Weiss routinely counsels its school district clients on issues arising under state and federal special education laws, including the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Chapter 16 Gifted Education regulations. As one of the most litigated federal statutes, the IDEA consistently presents school districts with challenging scenarios. Our attorneys represent school district clients at all levels of special education litigation and our school district clients rely on our experience and technical advice for all areas of special education compliance.
Charter School
Over the last decade, charter schools have entered the educational landscape and have come to pose significant challenges for school districts. This area has grown so much that it has developed into a specific subset of Education Law. Under the Pennsylvania Charter School Law, a charter school is an independent public school that exists through the grant of a charter by the local school district. The Charter School Law contains strict requirements for the review and granting of charters, but is notably deficient in terms of setting forth the manner in which school districts are to oversee the activities of the charters. In light of these legislative failings, it is absolutely necessary that school districts have competent counsel who understand the relationship between a school district and its charter schools and can navigate through the unique situations posed by this relationship.
Our office assists our school district clients with the review of charter school applications, the drafting of charter school agreements, the comprehensive review for charter renewals, actions to revoke or not renew a charter, petition challenges before the Court of Common Pleas, appeals before the State Charter School Appeal Board, as well as the day-to-day interactions with charter schools necessitated by the school districts’ oversight role of charters within their boundaries. On behalf of our clients, we communicate regularly with the Pennsylvania Department of Education on charter school issues. We also closely monitor legislative developments concerning revisions and amendments to the Charter School Law.
