Board members approved the bills for payment but several used the discussion to call attention to the district’s legal fees and the need for clearer, itemized reporting.

During the roll call approving the bills for payment (agenda item F1), one board member reported that the district had spent approximately $321,094.34 on lawyers so far this year, and another figure of $225,004.39 was cited specifically for the tax office. Members asked for the invoices to be broken into categories so the board can better evaluate trends.

“Can we — they're not itemized?” a board member asked. Others said they had been “bowled over” by the figures and requested that future legal billing be categorized so the board can assess whether and where costs can be curtailed. The business manager (Joni/Joanie, referenced in discussion) was thanked for producing a report, and board members asked the administration to return with more granular documentation.

Administrators and other board members noted that some legal expenses stem from required actions — for example, tax collection litigation, defending challenges to tax assessments and special-education-related legal matters — and cannot always be avoided. Still, members suggested the board should be able to spot trends and identify areas for possible cost-control.

The motion to approve the bills passed 6–2 on roll call.