Recent amendments to the Public School Code indicate a particular focus on school safety and security (See SLB 233, “Legislature Makes Common Sense Clarifications to Sunshine Law in Respect to School Safety”), however, there are a number of other important updates of which schools should be aware. This includes clarifications to lunch shaming and furlough provisions that were added to the School … [Read more...] about And In Other News… Legislature Looks at Lunch Shaming, Furloughs and Keystone Requirement
Legislature Makes Common Sense Clarifications to Sunshine Law in Respect to School Safety Concerns
Indicative of the increased attention being given to school safety and security nationwide, on June 22, 2018, Governor Wolf signed into law two legislative bills amending the Public School Code of 1949, House Bill 1448 and Senate Bill 1142. These amendments include an extension of the authority of school boards to hold executive sessions when discussing sensitive security issues, and require that … [Read more...] about Legislature Makes Common Sense Clarifications to Sunshine Law in Respect to School Safety Concerns
Supreme Court Rules “Fair Share/Agency Fees” Unconstitutional
In a complete reversal of current law and in a decision certain to have national and direct political ramifications, the Supreme Court ruled today that the collection of agency fees by public employee unions violates the constitutional rights of the non-union members of the employer. In Janus v. AFSCME Local 2600, the Court specifically held that the State of Illinois’ extraction of “fair … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Rules “Fair Share/Agency Fees” Unconstitutional
Infertility and the Law: What You Should Know About the Family Medical Leave Act
The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave to qualified, eligible employees who, because of a serious health condition, may find themselves unable to perform one or more of their essential job functions temporarily. While infertility is not a considered a “serious health condition” in and of itself, under FMLA regulations, continuing treatment by a … [Read more...] about Infertility and the Law: What You Should Know About the Family Medical Leave Act
Failing to Respond to Bullying in Timely Manner Costly for Both Student and Schools
A recent case out of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas demonstrates just how costly the failure to respond to bullying can be. In the case of Juanita J. W. v. School District of Philadelphia, the Court awarded a student who was the victim of bullying that was not properly addressed by the school district $500,000 for the significant injuries sustained by the student, plus attorney’s fees and … [Read more...] about Failing to Respond to Bullying in Timely Manner Costly for Both Student and Schools
Court Defines Concept of Resignation and Constructive Discharge in Termination of School Superintendents
In a recently decided case, Pennsylvania’s top court had the opportunity to make several rulings in the area of law regarding the employment of school Superintendents. The rulings involved the broad concept of constructive discharge, while the narrower ruling examined the definition of a resignation, the applicability of the statutory procedure for removal once the court has determined a … [Read more...] about Court Defines Concept of Resignation and Constructive Discharge in Termination of School Superintendents
