Nevada Community School District approves interim engagement with Franz Law Group on PowerSchool litigation

The Nevada Community School District Board of Education voted Oct. 6 to approve an interim engagement agreement with Franz Law Group to participate in multi-district litigation relating to PowerSchool.

The board moved into closed session under Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(c) to discuss litigation strategy and returned to open session to adopt the engagement agreement. The motion to adopt the agreement was moved and seconded; the board then voted "Aye" and the measure passed as presented.

Board members said the matter required confidentiality before the vote. The motion to go into closed session cited Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(c), which permits a governmental body to meet privately to discuss strategy with counsel regarding litigation that is imminent or where public disclosure would likely prejudice the governmental body's position. After the closed session, the board moved to adopt the interim engagement agreement with Franz Law Group "regarding the multi district litigation with PowerSchool," as discussed in closed session.

Presiding board remarks after the vote emphasized the long-term nature of the decision. The presiding board member said, "We've made a decision tonight that we'll have to last into all the future because we've joined in something. I don't think we can get off very well." The remark was made in open session after the vote to adopt the agreement.

The board did not disclose details of the litigation, settlement terms, or the engagement agreement in the open record at the meeting. The board's action and the statutory citation were recorded in the meeting minutes and the motion language on the record. No additional financial terms or contract dates for the engagement were provided during the public discussion.

The board approved the engagement after the closed-session discussion and adopted the interim agreement as presented.