Discussion will continue during tonight’s Warren County School District Committee of the Whole meeting on how to handle late additions to the board’s agendas.

The board will meet at 6 p.m. today, Feb. 23, in the Warren County Central School District offices in Russell. Public comments will be taken during the first portion of this meeting

The district’s meeting notice policy states that notices for all public board meetings information shall be published. Regular meetings should be given three days prior to a meeting, with special meetings given at least 24 hours prior to the meeting time. Rescheduled meetings shall also be given notice to the public at least 24 hours in advance. Strongly recommended by past and present solicitors that the policy language should aim to match current state law, it would allow any board member to bring an item during the board meeting and if a majority vote allows it, is added to the meeting agenda where it would have to be voted on again.

In 2021, the Pennsylvania General Assembly amended the Sunshine Act to require government entities to make meeting agendas available to the public at least 24 hours in advance. The 2021 amendments also have exceptions to the 24-hour rule, including actions related to emergencies, minor matters that arise after the notice is published and do not involve contractual or financial obligations, and minor matters raised by a resident or taxpayer during the meeting.

The 2021 amendments further allow an agency to change its agenda during a meeting by a majority vote, provided the change is announced to those present before the vote. A November state Supreme Court ruling in Coleman v. Parkland School District ruled that the Parkland School District had appropriately used the last exception when it added a union contract that had been agreed upon by the school district and union to the agenda that night by majority vote and then approved the contract later in the same meeting.

Warren County school board members discussed possible changes to the district’s policy during its January meeting and will continue those discussions today.

“It makes much more sense to have the district’s policy aligned with what the law is than to not have it aligned with what the law is; which just leaves you open to questions later on, regardless of whether there’s any legal liability,” Rachel Glasoe, district solicitor, said during the January meeting.

A new position request for an additional social worker will be presented.

The administration and staff have been meeting with the district’s high school students in order to discuss how the transition to new buildings has been for them. While the feedback has been a mix of experiences when polling Eisenhower and Youngsville students, students from Warren and Sheffield have recently been called upon to share as well. The board and administration appreciates the honesty of the students that have been in discussions and is encouraging all students to write letters about their experiences with the merger.