Settlement Reached in Sunshine Act Lawsuit Against Mifflinburg School District

By: Justin Strawser

Cohen Seglias attorney Joshua Bonn successfully negotiated a settlement for Brittany Baker in her lawsuit against the Mifflinburg Area School District, which alleged violations of Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act. Filed in 2021, the lawsuit centered on the school board’s decision to enforce a universal masking policy during a closed executive session, bypassing public deliberation and votes. The district and its insurer agreed to reimburse Baker’s legal fees totaling $28,630.27, with $7,500 paid by the district and the remainder by its insurance provider. While the settlement does not admit fault, it highlights the importance of transparency in public governance.

MIFFLINBURG — A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit filed in 2021 against the Mifflinburg Area School Board involving alleged violations of state law on conducting public meetings and casting public votes.

Brittany Baker, a district resident whose child was enrolled as a Mifflinburg Area student at the time of the officials’ alleged actions, said on Thursday the settlement amount for her attorney fees is $28,630.27. The district is paying $7,500 toward that settlement with the district’s insurance company paying the remaining portion.