Reliable. Fast. Informative.
There’s no better way to describe the legal team at OSSBA! They are the state’s leading authorities on the ins and outs of Oklahoma education law.
Legal information is a core member service that OSSBA provides FREE with membership. In 2015, our attorneys fielded more than 20,000 calls and emails from administrators and school board members!
Easy access. Our legal team is available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays to answer questions from district staff and school board members.
Extended availability. On the first and second Mondays of every month, our legal team is on call from 4:30 to 9 p.m. to answer urgent questions that arise during board meetings.
Free. You are NEVER charged for calling OSSBA’s attorneys. All legal information services are included in your district’s membership!
Call us first. OSSBA attorneys can only provide information, not legal guidance. We can’t represent you or your district in legal matters. Call us first, and we’ll help as much as we can. If we can’t help, we’ll refer you to your retained legal counsel.
If you have to ask yourself that question, pick up the phone or send an email! Here are some the topics we frequently are asked about:
Prompt. OSSBA’s attorneys strive to return calls/emails as soon as possible and almost always within 24 hours.
Experienced. Members of OSSBA’s legal team have a wide range of experience and interest in particular areas of education law. They also have extensive backgrounds in employment, insurance, criminal, construction and family law related to education.
Free. There is no retainer fee and no hourly charge to talk with an OSSBA attorney. All legal information services are included in your district’s membership!
Policy services. OSSBA’s policy services offers a wide range of options for updating your district policies in a cost-efficient manner. We help make sure your policies are updated, inform you about new policy-related issues and even offer to host your policies online. Learn more.
Unemployment program. Hundreds of school districts use the Oklahoma Public Schools Unemployment Compensation Account service to save time and money. OSSBA handles unemployment claims and represents districts before the Oklahoma Employment Securities Commission. Learn more.
Advocacy. Education law is ever-changing, and we’re always looking out for schools at the state Capitol to keep legislators informed about the classroom-level impact of legislation. We also keep you updated as laws change.
OSSBA members can also search through a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) of the OSSBA Legal Department.
Kim Bishop | Staff Attorney
Brandon Carey | Staff Attorney
Tony Childers | Staff Attorney
Julie Miller | Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel
Rooney Virgin | Director of Government Affairs and Staff Attorney
Looking for a policy? Interested in keeping your policies in conformance with updated laws? Check our Policy Services page to see how OSSBA can assist your district in its policy needs.
Note:
The legal information provided by the Oklahoma State School Boards Association is a benefit for use of its membership. The information set forth herein shall not receive protection from disclosure under any established Attorney-Client privilege. Additionally, it is urged that the school district seek the legal advice of the district’s school attorney with regard to legal issues the school encounters. Legal information provided by the OSSBA is not intended to replace the advice of a school district’s retained counsel.