Legal Insights
Termination Upheld Due to Illegal Drug Use
Christina Lane
In a victory for School Districts, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court recently decided the case of Metz v. Bethlehem Area School District on January 4, 2018. In this case, a professional…
A compensatory education award does not create an unfettered entitlement to college tuition.
Christina Lane
When things go wrong in special education and a student has not received the benefit of his/her educational program, the student is awarded compensatory education for the denial of a…
ASSESSMENT APPEALS AT RISK
Christina Lane
Legislation recently introduced in both the Pennsylvania Senate and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, if passed, could significantly impair a school district’s ability to appeal the assessed value of a…
Maiello Brungo & Maiello Announces Two Partners
Alfred Maiello
Maiello, Brungo & Maiello is pleased to announce that David Raves and Falco Muscante have been named Partners. “David and Falco epitomize the talent MB&M brings to client service and…
The Stage is Set for the Third Circuit to Address Transgender Students’ Use of Sex-Segregated Facilities
Christina Lane
On November 22, 2017, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania denied the Minerville Area School District’s motion to dismiss an eight year old transgender girl’s…
Oath of Office – Board Reorganization
Christina Lane
Pennsylvania recently adopted the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (“RULONA”), which will affect the process of swearing in newly elected and reelected School Board Members during Board Reorganization meetings…
New Amendment To Tax Collection Law -an Added Layer Of Protection Against Fraud For Municipalities And Taxpayers
Christina Lane
On October 30, 2017 Governor Wolf signed into law Act 38, Rep. Ryan Mackenzie’s legislation designed to reform the local tax collection system. This new law specifically prohibits checks that…
Are AngelSense or other GPS devices legal in schools? The devil is in the details.
Christina Lane
A new GPS-based technology appears to answer parents’ fears about their children’s safety while at school. One such device, AngelSense allows GPS tracking, ensuring parents that they will know where…
Older Alerts
Christina Lane
Transgender Law Update October 2016 Update to US Supreme Court’s Transgender Bathroom Decision of August 3, 2016 September 2016 Copyright and Right to Know Law August 2016 U.S. Supreme Court…
PA Public School Code Under Pennsylvania Legislature
Christina Lane
PA State School Code Amendments – The Pennsylvania Legislature recently passed numerous amendments to the Pennsylvania Public School Code, which took effect Sunday without Governor Wolf’s signature. As part of…
Can Schools Punish Students for Vulgar, Off-Campus Speech?
Christina Lane
In the case of B.L. v. Mahanoy Area School District, a school district’s punishment leveled against a cheerleader for engaging in profanity on a Snap did not withstand legal challenge. …
PATRIOTISM AND PROTEST UNDER FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
Christina Lane
For the past year, several football players in the National Football League, most notably Colin Kaepernick, have engaged in protests against racial injustice by refusing to stand during the playing…
OOR DETERMINATION – SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
Alfred Maiello
On August 16, 2017, the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records (“OOR”) issued a final determination in the matter of Noel Purdy v. Borough of Chambersburg. The case involved a Right…
Litigation Chronology: Transgender Students’ Access to Sex-Segregated Facilities (Last Updated 1/9/18)
Christina Lane
PENNSYLVANIA CASES (4 total; 2 pending) Doe v. Boyertown Area Sch. Dist. United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania 5:17-cv-01249 Boyerstown Decision United States Court of Appeals…