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Solicitor tells Spring-Ford board Supreme Court reinstated narrow Sunshine Act exception for agenda additions
Summary
Board solicitor reported a Supreme Court decision reinstating an exception to the Sunshine Act that permits adding agenda items with public notice and stated reasons within 24 hours or at the meeting; he advised caution in invoking the exception.
At the Nov. 24 meeting the board solicitor, Mr. Fitzgerald, briefed directors on a newly issued Supreme Court decision affecting the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act. He said the court reinstated an exception that allows a public body to adopt a new agenda item within 24 hours or at the meeting itself provided the board posts the item and announces the reasons for adding it.
Fitzgerald described the case background: the matter arose from Parkland School District, where a new collective bargaining agreement was added to the agenda within 24 hours and a community member filed a Sunshine Act lawsuit. The Commonwealth Court had reversed the trial court, and the Supreme Court has now reinstated the exception, meaning boards may add agenda items under the rules described, though Fitzgerald urged conservative use of the option.
The solicitor framed the ruling as a change in available procedure, not as a prescription to routinely add last‑minute items. Board members noted they prefer a conservative approach to agenda additions, keeping transparency and public notice central.
