Invitation to one candidate for executive session upsets another
?During the last several committee meetings to discuss the 2011-12 budget, the Laurel Highlands School Board has invited a school board candidate to sit in on executive sessions regarding personnel in connection with the budget.
Melvyn Sepic, who received the most votes to capture both the Democratic and Republican nominations for a two-year seat on the board and also had the most votes for the Democratic and Republican nominations for one of five four-year terms, has participated in the budgetary process. Unless there is an independent or write-in candidate, Sepic will be unopposed for the two-year seat in November.
Jamie Miller-D’Andrea, who is also running for the school board and will appear on both the Democratic and Republican slates for the four-year seat in November, was present at the last committee meeting, but was not permitted to stay for the executive session. There are six candidates seeking the five open seats for the four-year term.
Miller-D’Andrea questioned why she was asked to leave while Sepic was asked to stay.
“There were two taxpayers there and they made one leave and one not and officially neither of us can take office until December,” Miller-D’Andrea said.
Her husband, Joseph D’Andrea, said he has consulted an attorney regarding the matter.
“I believe it is a violation of the Sunshine Act and I will be researching it,” D’Andrea said.
School board President Angelo Giachetti said Sepic was invited to stay to discuss personnel matters related to the budget because in essence, he already has won the two-year term.
“Even if he loses on the four-year term, he’s already in for the two-year term,” Giachetti said.
Giachetti pointed out that while four candidates, including Miller-D’Andrea and Sepic won both the Democratic and Republican nominations for the four-year term, incumbent Lyn Andaloro won the fifth slot on the Democratic ballot and Ira Chrise won the fifth slot on the Republican ballot, so no one has that race locked up.
Pennsylvania Newspaper Association legal counsel Melissa Melewski said she doesn’t believe Sepic’s presence in the executive session is a violation of the Sunshine Act.
“Agencies are granted considerable latitude as to who is involved in an executive session. There is nothing in the Sunshine Act that says an executive session for personnel is limited to elected officials,” Melewski said.
“In my opinion, it’s not illegal in this instance,” Melewski said.
Sepic said that while it has been a common past practice for the board as a courtesy to incoming members, he may rethink accepting future invitations to sit in on executive sessions.
“I don’t want to cause any controversy with anybody. I assume their position is I’m in because of the two-year seat. I’m not on the board until I’m sworn-in in December,” Sepic said.
The school board has a work session today at 5?p.m. in the high school library. The June meeting and adoption of the budget will take place Wednesday at 7?p.m. in the library.