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Board affirms superintendent's preferred counsel but records opposition and abstention on second-opinion designation
Summary
The RSU 52 board voted to support Superintendent Med's preference to continue using Drummond Woodsum as the district's legal counsel and to designate a local firm (Brandon Isaacson) as a second-opinion resource when the board asks for it; the motion passed with one opposing vote and one abstention after board discussion.
The board voted on a motion to endorse Superintendent Carrie Med's preference to maintain Drummond Woodsum (sometimes cited in public discussion as "Drummond Woodson" in the meeting) as the district's primary legal counsel and to designate the firm of Brandon Isaacson as the district's designated second-opinion counsel when the board directs the superintendent to seek one.
During discussion some trustees expressed concern about recent public coverage of the primary firm's work on other matters and about whether the firm had provided thorough education-law precedent on particular curriculum/content questions the board had raised previously. One trustee asked for a broader list of potential second-opinion firms; administration said Brandon Isaacson is a local education-law firm that routinely advises districts and was the practical candidate identified in follow-up research.
Vote and outcome: the board approved the motion to maintain Drummond Woodsum as primary counsel and to designate Brandon Isaacson as counsel available for second opinions. The clerk recorded one vote in opposition and one abstention; the motion otherwise carried.
Ending: The superintendent and administration will continue to work with the district's legal providers on requests from the board and will bring information about options for outside second opinions should the board request a broader list.
