2026 MTSBA Title IX in Practice: Rights, Responsibilities and Response
Series of three Tuesdays: November 3, 10, 17, 2026 - 1:00-3:00 pm
Join us live via Zoom each week or watch the video recordings on your own time!
Video links will be posted a few days after each session.
$150 per person | $600 unlimited option
Purpose of yearly Title IX training:
Federal law requires recipients of federal education funds to ensure that employees responsible for implementing Title IX understand their legal obligations and perform their duties free from bias and conflicts of interest. Regular refresher training remains a widely recognized best practice and helps districts maintain legally compliant Title IX programs as case law and OCR guidance continue to evolve.
Session One | Tuesday, November 3 | 1:00-3:00 pm
Title IX Foundations: Building a Legally Compliant Program
- Understanding Title IX: Purpose and history of Title IX, Current federal regulatory framework, Relationship between Title IX and other federal laws - Section 504, ADA, FERPA, Constitutional Due Process, Montana law
- Understanding Sex Discrimination: What conduct is covered: Sex discrimination, sex-based harassment, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, retaliation
- Roles and Responsibilities: Trustees, Superintendent, Title IX Coordinator, Building Administrators, Employees, Investigators, Decision-makers, Appeal officers
- Reporting Obligations: Actual knowledge, Employee reporting responsibilities, Anonymous reports, Mandatory reporting, Confidential resources, Documentation requirements
- Interactive Discussion: Recognizing Title IX issues before they become complaints, including Montana school scenarios
Session Two | Tuesday, November 10 | 1:00-3:00 pm
Managing the Title IX Process
- Receiving a Complaint: Initial assessment, jurisdictional analysis, supportive measures, emergency removal, administrative leave
- Conducting an Investigation: Planning the investigation, gathering evidence, witness interviews, documentary evidence, digital evidence, video evidence, social media, credibility assessments
- Fair and Impartial Process: Avoiding bias, avoiding conflicts of interest, impartial decision-making, relevance standards, privacy considerations, FERPA interaction
- Informal Resolution: When appropriate, required safeguards, documentation
- Practical Exercises: Intake simulations, evidence evaluation, investigation planning
Session Three | Tuesday, November 17 | 1:00-3:00 pm
Decision-Making, Remedies, and Preventing Liability
- Making Findings: Applying the appropriate evidentiary standard, evaluating credibility, writing findings, required written determinations
- Appeals: Grounds for appeal, appeal procedures. appeal decision-making
- Remedies: Corrective action, supportive measures, discipline, training, monitoring
- Recordkeeping: Required records, Documentation, Retention requirements, public records considerations, FERPA issues
- Common Liability Traps: Delayed responses, Failure to document, Conflicts of interest, Inadequate investigations, Improper supportive measures, Retaliation claims
- Montana-Specific Issues: Board involvement, Open Meetings considerations, Executive session issues, public records requests, Employment law overlap, student discipline overlap
- Annual Legal Update: Recent federal developments, OCR guidance, significant court decisions, Montana legal developments, best practices moving forward
- What participants will receive during this training:
- Comprehensive electronic Title IX manual, investigation checklists, intake forms, investigation templates, decision-maker templates, appeal templates, supportive measures checklist, annual legal update materials, practical Montana-specific guidance, Certificate of Completion
Disclaimer: Montana School Boards Association (MTSBA) has designed these materials to provide helpful information regarding topics and best practices on issues concerning the administration and governance of Montana K-12 public schools. These materials are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. MTSBA does not intend nor should these materials be construed to constitute the rendering of any legal advice. Should the recipient of these materials desire legal advice on any of the topics or information contained herein, MTSBA recommends that the recipient make a specific request for legal advice.