Executive session

Opinion: Court finds Sunshine Act violation in executive session

Trib Total Media, Inc. ("TTM") brought suit against the Highlands School District because the school board barred a reporter from attending an executive session. In its answer to TTM's complaint, the school district admitted that the school board discussed a property tax assessment appeal with owners of the shopping center subject to the appeal. The school district asserted that such an action was permissible under Section 708(a)(4) of the Sunshine Act, which permits the discussion of matters of pending litigation in an executive, hence private, session. The Commonwealth Court held that only attorneys and advisors may participate in executive sessions pursuant to this section. Read More...