On May 27, 2014, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court held that an enrollment cap on a charter school is valid if agreed to by the parties as part of a written charter. In arriving at its holding in The School District of Philadelphia v. Department of Education and The Walter D. Palmer Leadership Partners Charter School, the Supreme Court interpreted the applicability of a 2008 revision to the Charter … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania Supreme Court Validates Charter School Enrollment Caps
School Law Bullet
Third Circuit Holds Stay-Put Provision of the IDEA Applies Through End of Appeals Process
In a case of first impression, (M.R.& J.R. on behalf of E.R. v Ridley School District, No. 12-4137, 3d Cir. Feb 20, 2014) the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has held that the stay-put provision of the IDEA applies through the end of the appeals process. As a result, the Ridley School District was obliged to pay for nearly three years of private school tuition, despite … [Read more...] about Third Circuit Holds Stay-Put Provision of the IDEA Applies Through End of Appeals Process
The Recordings on the Bus Go Round and Round…. An Amendment to Pennsylvania’s Criminal Wiretap Law Authorizes Audio Recordings on School Vehicles.
Earlier this year, Governor Tom Corbett signed into law Act 9 of 2014 (“Act 9”), an amendment to the Pennsylvania Wiretap and Electronic Surveillance Control Act. This amendment expressly authorizes the use of audio surveillance equipment on school buses or school vehicles for disciplinary or security purposes and provides important clarifications of the law. This new legislation was, in part, … [Read more...] about The Recordings on the Bus Go Round and Round…. An Amendment to Pennsylvania’s Criminal Wiretap Law Authorizes Audio Recordings on School Vehicles.
Federal Court Rules School Did Not Violate Section 504 By Having Allergic Student Eat Lunch At a Desk in Cafeteria
In T.F. v. Fox Chapel Area School District, No. 12-01666 (W.D. Pa Nov. 5, 2013), the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania has ruled that a school district did not discriminate against a student with a severe tree nut allergy in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Although the school district’s explanation for seating the student alone at a desk in a … [Read more...] about Federal Court Rules School Did Not Violate Section 504 By Having Allergic Student Eat Lunch At a Desk in Cafeteria
Dramatic and Unheralded Changes Made To The Educator Discipline Act
On December 18, while schools were preparing to shut their doors for the holiday break, Governor Corbett signed into law a series of ten bills designed to improve the way that Pennsylvania handles child abuse reporting and investigations. Slipped in among those changes, however, was a major overhaul of what was known as the “Professional Educator Discipline Act,“ (which, as a result of the … [Read more...] about Dramatic and Unheralded Changes Made To The Educator Discipline Act
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Clarifies Limits on Private Meeting Discussions By Public Entities
December 17, 2013 decision in Smith v. Township of Richmond affirms Commonwealth Court ruling in favor of Township and hones in on the nature of "deliberations." (See SLB 98, September 11, 2012 for additional details on the case). What Happened In 2010, the Township of Richmond was involved in litigation with a cement company and a citizen group regarding the expansion of a limestone quarry into … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania Supreme Court Clarifies Limits on Private Meeting Discussions By Public Entities
