Most educators know school law matters — but few really understand how it shapes everyday safety. What if the rules we fear could actually empower us to protect our students better?

In this episode of The Sound Off on School Safety, Michele Gay sits down with Amanda Bigbee, a veteran school attorney and trusted advisor to districts across Texas, to unpack what the law really says — and what it doesn’t — about keeping schools safe.

Amanda shares the misconceptions she sees most often, from privacy laws to liability fears, and explains how legal teams, administrators, and educators can work together to make smart, confident decisions when it matters most.

What emerges is a powerful reminder: the law isn’t meant to stand in your way — it’s there to help you do the right thing.

In this conversation:

• Why fear of liability can actually make schools less safe
  

• The truth about FERPA, privacy, and information sharing
  

• How to build trust between educators and legal teams before a crisis hits
  

• The real difference between policy and practice — and why people come first
  

• Why “lawyer speak” can sound confusing, and how to bridge the gap
  

👉 Listen now to hear how Amanda Bigbee is helping schools turn legal confusion into confident, collaborative safety action. Visit safeandsoundschools.org to explore resources, tools, and more ways to take action in your school community.

Guest links:

Amanda's LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-bigbee

Baylor University:

https://edl.soe.baylor.edu/person/dr-amanda-bigbees

Show Links:

Safe and Sound Schools:

https://safeandsoundschools.org

Connect with Michele:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-gay/

Donate to support Safe and Sound Schools:

https://safe-and-sound-schools.web.app/