Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legal Services Rate Change topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Subcommittee approves raise for attorney Benjamin from $220 to $250 per hour
Summary
The Framingham Public Schools subcommittee approved increasing Attorney Phil Benjamin’s hourly rate from $220 to $250 effective July 1, citing his role in special‑education and PRS complaints; administrators said the district has budgeted for legal services and that FY legal spending varies year to year.
The Framingham Public Schools subcommittee approved an increase in the hourly rate for Attorney Phil Benjamin from $220 to $250 per hour, effective July 1. The panel’s discussion noted Benjamin’s specialized role supporting special‑education matters and the state Problem Resolution Service (PRS) complaint process.
Dr. Tremblay described Benjamin’s work: “Attorney Phil Benjamin…supports our district in very, nuanced area of special education law and also, matters related to what are called PRS complaints,” and recommended retaining him given the experience and relationships he has developed with DESE’s Problem Resolution Service.
Rationale and budget context: administration staff said the increase would be the first in seven years for the attorney and that annual legal spending fluctuates. Finance staff said FY legal expenditures fluctuate year to year and that the district currently has about $150,000 budgeted for legal services in FY26 projections. The administration argued that retaining an attorney with established district experience may reduce other costs that can arise from unresolved complaints.
Questions and vote: Committee members asked how much the district spends annually on the attorney and how the increase would fit into the FY26 budget. Finance staff reported variable annual totals and said the FY26 budget includes a legal line of approximately $150,000. The subcommittee moved to recommend the increase to the full committee; Ms. Muscha moved and Ms. Barnhill seconded. A roll call recorded unanimous approval by the subcommittee.
Next steps: the subcommittee will recommend full‑committee approval of the hourly rate increase and the administration will monitor FY26 legal spending to report back actuals.
