MMSD is seeking highly motivated and energetic applicants for openings for the 2024-2025 school year. The Madison Metropolitan School District actively seeks and encourages women and candidates of color to apply.
Becoming a Model School District
The Madison Metropolitan School District is committed to being anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive. We have a simple but bold vision — to ensure that every school is a thriving school, fostering the growth of every student so they graduate from high school ready for college, career and community.
Our strategy is captured in our strategic framework, and centers on three major goals: that all children achieve academically, that our schools are places where children and adults thrive, and that our Black youth excel at school. To achieve this vision, we seek to retain staff in all positions, who are committed to being anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive. Staff who will actively contribute to our ongoing commitment to making MMSD a thriving, welcoming environment for all students, families and staff.
We firmly believe and are here to create a work environment that is challenging and rewarding, while supporting you in your career path. We aim to foster, cultivate, and retain a skilled workforce that supports and mirrors the diversity of our student population.
We know this vision doesn't come to life without dynamic leaders in every school.
About Our District
The Madison Metropolitan School District is the second largest school district in Wisconsin. The district serves a beautifully diverse population of more than 27,000 students. More than half are students of color. Almost half come from low income households. Nearly one third are English Language Learners, and more than 100 languages are represented in our schools. Madison schools are committed to making this district a place where every child thrives.
Purpose of Position
The Staff Counsel will provide specialized, high-quality advice and meaningful legal representation to the MMSD Board of Education, administration and staff with a focus on contract development and compliance, and policy review. This position reports to the General Counsel.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
60% - Contracts
Support Business Services
Serve as the primary resource on contracting matters, including drafting and revising service agreements
Support the accounting department, secretaries, contract manager, and vendors to ensure the District’s interests are fully protected
Review data-share agreements related to contracts, partnerships and external research
Review extended trip/tour requests for compliance
Draft Memorandums of Understanding to support work with community partners
Approve consent agenda items in Boarddocs for Board meetings
Request and review required documentation for some contracts such as insurance certificates
15% - Board Policy
Draft, review and revise Board of Education policies
Regularly meet with the Board to support policy work
Attend Board meetings to answer questions about policies
25% - Other Duties
Assist the Coordinator for Progressive Discipline in matters of student expulsion, and brief the Board about individual student expulsions that have been reviewed by independent hearing officers
Serve as a generalist by advising staff on day-to-day operations of the District on a variety of legal topics including torts, board policy, human resources, public records, pupil records, student rights, special education, and Title IX
Recruit, train and issue contracts for independent hearing officers
Conduct employee investigations
Review custody related court documents and advise on family law matters
Conducting trainings
Perform other tasks as assigned by the General and Associate General Counsel
Required Qualifications
Juris Doctorate from accredited law school
Demonstrated acute attention to detail and thoroughness
Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills
Demonstrated ability to establish positive relationships with people representing multiple and diverse interests and backgrounds
Demonstrated ability to navigate sensitive issues in a confidential and professional manner
Ability to manage varied workload, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
All positions require experience working cross-culturally and/or commitment to work toward improving one's own cultural proficiency (i.e., valuing difference/diversity, recognizing personal limitations in one's skills and expertise, and having the desire to learn in these areas)
Desired Qualifications
A minimum of two (2) years of experience in private or public practice with comprehensive working knowledge (in two or more areas) of school and corporate law issues related to board governance, administrative law, drafting contracts, special education, pupil and public records, suspension/expulsion, family law, employment law, and litigation
Experience drafting policy
Experience as a former educator and/or degree in education
License Requirements
Active license to practice law in the State of Wisconsin
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Legal
Industries
Primary and Secondary Education
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