HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has decided to review a lower-court ruling that would make public the salaries of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and other high-ranking university officials.

The high court on Tuesday agreed to take up the appeal by Penn State, Paterno and three administrators, who are challenging a decision by the State Employees' Retirement System to release pension-related information.

The one-page order said Supreme Court Justice Cynthia Baldwin, who chairs the Penn State Board of Trustees, did not participate in considering or deciding the matter.

A Commonwealth Court panel ruled 3-2 in August 2005 that the salaries were public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, but Penn State appealed, arguing disclosure would violate individuals' privacy rights.

Jan Murphy, a reporter with the Patriot-News of Harrisburg, first sought salary information in December, 2002, for Paterno, since-retired budget officer Richard Althouse, executive vice president and provost Rodney Erickson, and senior vice president and treasurer Gary Schultz.

The retirement system agreed to give Murphy the information she sought, but her request has been on hold while the university appeals the case.

The Patriot-News has argued that Penn State employees should not be given preferential treatment by having details withheld regarding the state-sponsored pension plan.

Penn State has said releasing salaries would be unfair to people hired with the understanding their salaries would be private.