PITT TO HOST SAMUEL FRANCIS SYMPOSIUM ON SCHOOL LAW

PITTSBURGH, April 17 -- The University of Pittsburgh is hosting the Inaugural Dr. Samuel Francis School Law Symposium on Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25, in the William Pitt Union, Oakland, to honor the memory of Francis, whose teaching and writing helped to put school law on the map in Pennsylvania.

The Friday session begins at 8 a.m. and runs throughout the day with dinner beginning at 4:30 p.m. Saturday sessions start at 8 a.m. and go to the 12:30 p.m. luncheon.

Francis was a school law professor emeritus, legal scholar, principal and school board member whose career spanned forty years. This one and a half day symposium will provide updated information on current State and Federal laws and regulations and insight on school law issues of concern to school administrators, business managers, solicitors, and school advocates.

Following welcoming remarks by Pitt Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg, topics to be discussed include: "Technology Use: Keep Your Eye on Cyberspace to Protect Students and the District," "Preventing Sexual Molestation: Making Our Schools Safe from Pedophiles and Predators," "Parental Rights Movement: Why is it Gathering Momentum?" "Charter School Obligations: Reality Has Arrived, What You Need to Know," "Teacher Negotiations -- How Effective is Act 88 -- Teacher View," and "School Funding and Local Taxes: Changes That Will Affect Your Budget."

The symposium is sponsored by the University, the School of Education's Tri-State Area School Study Council, School Leadership Collaborative Program, and Department of Administrative and Policy Studies. To register or for more information, contact Carol Fiumara at 412-648-7175.

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