On November 24, 2025, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania reversed the Commonwealth Court’s 2023 decision in Coleman v. Parkland School District. The ruling expands the circumstances under which public agencies may take official action on items not listed on agendas posted at least 24 hours before a public meeting. Background in the Case Act 65 of 2021 amended Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act to … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania Supreme Court Reverses Commonwealth Court’s Ruling – Recognizes Four Stand-Alone Exceptions to the Sunshine Act’s 24-Hour Rule
School Law Bullet
50th Anniversary of the IDEA: Golden Milestone for Special Education
Last week, the Pennsylvania Legislature recognized November 29, 2025 as the 50th anniversary of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, known as the IDEA, with House Resolution 370. Meant to ensure children with disabilities have access to a free appropriate public education, the IDEA and its predecessor laws changed the game for special education students and their IEP teams. On … [Read more...] about 50th Anniversary of the IDEA: Golden Milestone for Special Education
Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 Commonwealth Budget: Key Impacts on Education
On November 12, 2025, after a prolonged impasse of over fourth months, Governor Shapiro signed the 2025-2026 Commonwealth budget into law, with total appropriations reaching $50.1 billion. Importantly for public schools, the budget delivers more than $900 million in education funding. While the delay threatened financial stability for many districts, the final budget includes major investments … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 Commonwealth Budget: Key Impacts on Education
Act 41 Amends School Code to Increase Eligible Candidates for CTE Certification
To address teacher shortages and maintain Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs for students across the Commonwealth, a recent amendment to the School Code recognizes veterans’ service experience for purposes of obtaining Career and Technical Instructional certification. Career and Technical Instructional Certification CTE programs provide students with a unique, hybrid education of … [Read more...] about Act 41 Amends School Code to Increase Eligible Candidates for CTE Certification
Virginia Teacher Shot By Student, Awarded $10 Million
In a civil action against an assistant principal, a Virginia jury awarded $10 million in damages to a former first-grade teacher who was shot by a six-year-old student. Garnering national attention, this case emphasizes the importance of school safety, timely reporting, and thorough investigations. Background in the Case On January 6, 2023, former first-grade teacher, Abigail Zwerner, was … [Read more...] about Virginia Teacher Shot By Student, Awarded $10 Million
Court Orders School District to Pay $793,965 to Keep Charter School Open
On November 7, 2025, the Commonwealth Court held that Penn Hills School District must pay $793,965 to Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship by November 10, 2025, to fund its operations during the month of November in order to prevent its closure. Brief Background in the Case On November 4, 2025, the Commonwealth Court heard oral argument in Penn Hills Charter School of … [Read more...] about Court Orders School District to Pay $793,965 to Keep Charter School Open
