The Richland 1 School Board on May 29 approved a qualified provider list (QPL) of six law firms to provide legal services to the district as needed. The firms named in the QPL include Boykin & Davis LLC, Plowden & Robinson, Duff Freeman, Lyon Pope Flynn, and White & Story (as read on the record). The firms agreed to a fixed hourly rate of $180 or less.

The administration noted being placed on the QPL does not guarantee any volume of work; the district may add additional firms during the three‑year contract term starting July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2028. The board voted unanimously, 7‑0, to approve the list.

Commissioner Vine asked whether the fixed rate represented an increase; administration responded the district matches the state contracted rate and that $180 was consistent with the recent term. The administration said it would bring any requests to add firms back to the board for approval if needed.