2025 Connecticut Association of Schools Legal Summit

Several Shipman attorneys presented as part of the Connecticut Association of Schools' (CAS) Legal Summit held on Thursday, October 9, 2025. 

Latest Legal Developments in Special Education

Presented by: Abby Booth, Rebecca Rudnick Santiago, and Julia Wilde

This interactive breakout session explored emerging trends in special education, offering practical guidance for schools in addressing their emerging issues effectively. Through real-life scenarios, participants examined both legislative updates and recent due process decisions. The emphasis was on identifying trends and opportunities in special education and equipping school leaders with the proper tools to navigate these situations.

Recent Leave Law Changes and Impacts for Public Schools

Presented by: Dori Pagé Antonetti and Julie Reznik

As of October 1, 2025, Connecticut public schools had to significantly shift how they handle employee leave benefits based on recent legislative changes. Public Act 25-174 extends two key state programs—the Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act (CT FMLA) and Connecticut Paid Leave (CT Paid Leave)—to public school employees whose positions do not require certification under Chapter 166 of the Connecticut General Statutes (“non-certified employees”). This change represents a major expansion for public schools, which have been largely exempt from these requirements until now.  Importantly, these changes do not impact certified school personnel, who will not be eligible for CT FMLA or CT Paid Leave unless their union has collectively bargained with their employer to participate in such programs. Attorneys Dori Pagé Antonetti and Julie Reznik discussed the difference between these two programs and the impact of the changes, which affects non-certified employees’ rights to job-protected leave and income replacement.  They also reviewed recently passed revisions to the Connecticut Paid Sick Leave Law, which is yet another leave benefit that schools must understand and be able to implement in accordance with statutory requirements.