Top 10 Mistakes Made by School Administrators when Evaluating and Disciplining Staff and How to Avoid Them

Kate Davis is a member of Bricker & Eckler's Education group and practices in the firm's Dayton office. She counsels public sector clients on a variety of issues with a particular emphasis on labor and employment matters, including collective bargaining, grievance arbitration and representing employers before the State Employment Relations Board. She also partners with school districts and higher education institutions on a variety of issues, including administration of policies, public records issues, student affairs, constitutional issues, real property tax valuation and exemption laws and compliance with federal laws. Kate regularly advises clients regarding employment and labor-related matters involving Title VII, FMLA, ADEA, ADA, FLSA and R.C. Section 4112 issues, and frequently assists clients with policy revision and training.

Amy Sipes is the Human Resources Director for the Northmont City Schools, located in Montgomery County.  She has been with Northmont for 34 years serving as a teacher, curriculum specialist and HR professional.  One of her district roles is conducting student suspension and expulsion appeal hearings, deciding over 50 cases since 2013.  As a Past-President of the local teachers' association, she has negotiated agreements in both traditional and interest-based models and now represents the Board during contract negotiations. Amy created a teacher-induction program for Northmont several years before the state mandated Entry Year Teacher/Resident Educator Programs. She has been a facilitator for the Franklin-Covey Company teaching The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People workshops. 

Currently, Amy is on the governing board for the Dayton Area School Employment Consortium. She provides tips and techniques for candidate selection and hiring processes with students at Miami University and the University of Dayton. Amy is proud to be a part of the Northmont administrative team and looks forward to sharing insights based on her years of experience and practice.