In the March 2008 edition of MB&M Education News, we discussed a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision which impacted the standard of review for arbitration decisions involving school employees. The case…
Often school officials must determine whether a statement or writing is a threat, and if so, what punishment is appropriate. Commonwealth Court will soon consider the difficult determination of whether…
It is not unusual for School Districts to find themselves at an impasse in contract negotiations. In today’s economic climate, Districts strive to hold the line on the ever escalating…
The Right-to-Know Law which was amended in 2008, permits with certain exceptions, broad access by the public to governmental agency records. When an individual’s request is denied, a requester may…
The dismissal of two recent federal cases filed in the Western District Court of Pennsylvania involving allegations of sexual abuse by school employees underscores the need for appropriate school district…
The Pennsylvania legislature recently adopted a measure which permits employers, including school districts, to expand the health insurance coverage available to employees’ children. Act 4 of 2009, signed into law…
In an unpublished opinion, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court recently reversed a lower court’s decision and reinstated a student expulsion based on terroristic threats. In the Fall 2009 edition of MB&M’s…
Roger W. Foley, Jr. has joined the firm and will be working within our Public Sector Law Team. Roger W. Foley, Jr. has fifteen years experience and will focus his…
In the Winter, 2010 edition of Education News, we discussed at length the two inconsistent decisions of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals issued on February 4, 2010 concerning student…
On April 9, 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) issued a new Basic Education Circular (BEC) which expands the mandatory reporting procedures for educator misconduct. Under the new BEC,…
On March 30, 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Health issued its “Guidelines for Pennsylvania Schools for the Administration of Medications and Emergency Care.” These Guidelines contain the Department’s interpretation of…
On January 14, 2010, a fifteen year-old girl in South Hadley, Massachusetts named Phoebe Prince committed suicide after she had been the target of bullying by several older students over…
Despite your best efforts, there may come a time when an employee sues you. The actions you take when you first learn of a suit can be the difference between…
Employers are exempted from paying the employer 6.2% share of Social Security (i.e., OASDI) employment taxes on wages paid in 2010 to newly hired qualified individuals. These are workers who:…
Michael Brungo of MB&M’s School Law Team will lead a round table discussion at the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and the Pennsylvania School Board Solicitors Association Solicitor Symposium on July…