Legal Defense Fund

Procedures for Joining the Indiana Superintendents’ Legal Defense Fund

 The Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (IAPSS) serves as a collection agent for the Indiana Superintendents' Legal Defense Fund (Fund).  Any Institutional Membership representative of IAPSS is eligible to join the Fund.  The term of membership shall be for a period of one year, commencing July 1, 2022 and terminating June 30, 2023.  The purpose of the Fund is to provide limited legal assistance to any member of the Fund who may desire legal advice concerning a professional problem involving the member's relationship with his/her employers (school board members).  IAPSS cannot, under present tax laws, pay for legal services that will directly benefit an IAPSS member.  The IAPSS Executive Director can give assistance to members involved in contract disputes with local boards of school trustees, but he cannot expend association monies to pay for legal assistance in such disputes. 

IAPSS Institutional Members wishing to participate in the Fund, will need to send a personal check for $25.00 made payable to the Indiana Superintendents’ Legal Defense Fund. Fund participants are entitled to legal assistance as set forth in the Fund Agreement.  The Fund may be used to pay for two (2) hours of legal assistance.  A Professional Assistance Committee, made up of Fund members, may authorize additional legal aid up to a maximum of $2,000 per case.  The foregoing maximum is inclusive of the two (2) hours of initial legal consultation.  In consideration for legal services, a Fund member who receives such legal assistance shall reimburse the Fund for legal fees paid by the Fund if the amount settlement exceeds $10,000.00. 

IAPSS strongly encourages Indiana public school administrators to join the Fund. Each year superintendents who did not join the Fund, became involved in a contract dispute with his/her employer.  In such cases, IAPSS cannot pay for legal assistance.

Deadline for fund participation is December 10, 2022

Procedures for Utilizing the
Indiana Superintendents’ Legal Defense Fund

IAPSS stands ready to assist any member who may desire advice regarding their board, staff, the public, or fellow administrator. When an administrator is suddenly confronted with a contract impasse with their board of education, or a confrontation with a teacher delegation or a student group, the member may desire the professional assistance of other administrators.  IAPSS’ Executive Director should be utilized for aid in such a professional crisis situation.  The following steps should be followed to obtain such professional assistance.

Step One:
The member should contact their District Chairperson and/or the IAPSS Executive Director. 
Note: In the event the District Chairperson is from the aggrieved member's District, the IAPSS Executive Director should be the point of contact.

Step Two:     
The IAPSS Executive Director will determine the nature of the problem and determine the first steps. The IAPSS Executive Director may determine that legal assistance is necessary to analyze the problem.

Step Three:  
If the Executive Director determines that services of an attorney are necessary, he will refer the matter to the Indiana Superintendents' Legal Defense Fund Trust. It shall be the responsibility of the member to inform the IAPSS Executive Director promptly relative to all developments in the case as they occur.

Step Four:    
After the case has been resolved, the Executive Director will continue to provide advice and assistance, other than legal assistance, to the extent possible as desired by the member.

All members are encouraged to alert the IAPSS Executive Director and/or District Chairperson
of any fellow association member's impending need of assistance.