Broward School Board adopts amended general counsel job description, opens internal search and sets screening process

The School Board of Broward County on a special meeting completed a series of votes that together adopted an amended job description for the district general counsel and set a recruitment process that begins with an internal search and a report back to the board on Nov. 12.

Why it matters: The general counsel advises the board on a range of K–12 legal matters — from student rights and special-education (ESE) issues to contracts, construction and constitutional questions. The board’s changes to minimum and preferred qualifications and the decision to begin with an internal search shape which candidates will be prioritized and how quickly the district can name a successor.

What the board decided

- Adopt job description as amended: The board approved the general counsel job description as amended. The board chair called the final vote on the amended job description and announced the motion carried unanimously.

- Narrowed/clarified minimum qualifications (roll-call outcome): The board voted to replace the earlier “experience with education and/or school law” language in the minimum qualifications with a requirement that candidates have “10 years of experience in public or private practice with litigation experience in two or more of the following areas: constitutional law, student-rights/education, employment, civil rights, real estate, local government procurement, contract, tort, or construction law.” That motion passed by roll call, 7–2.

- Education/school-law placed in preferred qualifications: The board voted to list “experience with education and/or school law” in the preferred…