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Public commenter alleges past civil‑rights violations; solicitor says Commonwealth Court ruled suits untimely and without merit
Summary
During the committee of the whole meeting Jan. 12, a pre‑signed public commenter alleged civil‑rights harms against past board actions; the solicitor reported Commonwealth Court decisions in related cases found the lawsuits untimely, meritless, and found no Sunshine Act violation, pledging the board defended itself successfully on appeal.
A public comment alleging civil‑rights violations and longstanding litigation was followed by a solicitor’s report that recent Commonwealth Court rulings affirmed the board’s positions, during the Mill Creek Township School District committee of the whole on Jan. 12.
Michael Aliotta, a pre‑registered speaker, told the board that during his prior service the board and others violated laws and his civil rights and urged the board to review exhibits he had submitted. "My civil rights were violated by a number of people on this board," Aliotta said during public comment, and he asked the board and its solicitor to review the records and exhibits noted in a deposition.
Later in the agenda the district’s civil‑service/legal representative reported on Commonwealth Court decisions in Prozant and Aliota v. the school board and Neu v. the school board. The solicitor said the court reaffirmed the board’s position that those lawsuits should not have been filed beyond the statute of limitations or repose and were therefore without merit. The solicitor also said the court’s dicta emphasized that no Sunshine Act violation occurred and that the board’s agendas provided adequate detail about what would be discussed at meetings.
A board member asked whether the district had to pay legal costs even when it ultimately prevailed. The solicitor confirmed that appellate layers required the district to pay defense costs at each stage: "Those are all paid for by the district, the defense of those lawsuits," S23 said.
No formal board action was taken in response to the public commenter’s allegations; the solicitor’s report provided the board's legal summary of recent appellate outcomes. The personnel committee report the board later approved was moved to the floor and adopted; the board then appointed Michael Linder as the Erie County Technical School representative.
The board scheduled its next regular meeting for Jan. 26, 2026, when personnel and procurement items discussed in committee will be presented for final action.
