Hernando school board to evaluate new outside attorney; may issue RFP after trial period

Board members of the Hernando County School Board discussed replacing their outside law firm and agreed to observe a candidate from the current firm at upcoming meetings before deciding whether to solicit proposals.

The discussion focused on the district’s existing agreement (referred to in meeting remarks as Agreement No. 10), which began on Nov. 6, 2023, and that the contract automatically renews at the annual reorganization meeting unless the board votes otherwise. Board member Duvall said the board can terminate the agreement with a 30-day written notice following a majority decision of the full board, citing the contract’s termination clause.

Board member Johnson said the board has changed attorneys three times in recent years and called for greater continuity: “To me that’s a little ludicrous. We have no continuity.” Several other members echoed a desire for stability. Board member Duvall described a candidate presented by the current firm — attorney Robert Myers — and summarized his background: “He has been an attorney since 1991. He practices in ethics and governance and serves as ethics counsel to many, many clients,” and said Myers previously served as executive director of the Miami‑Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust.

Members agreed on a limited evaluation approach rather than an immediate contract change. Board member Duvall proposed that the candidate attend two board meetings so members can assess fit and personality; if the board remains unsatisfied they could pursue other firms. Several members supported simultaneously opening the process to proposals so the board would know its options. Board member Johnson proposed an executive‑session discussion after the candidate’s second October visit so the board could discuss the fit without the candidate present.

District staff confirmed the board has available avenues for recruiting firms, including the Florida School Boards Association referral list, and noted there are relatively few firms that specialize in school‑board work. Members asked staff to schedule the candidate’s appearances and explore the window of Oct. 13–17 for a follow‑up meeting among board members.

No formal motion or vote was recorded in the transcript. The board’s next steps recorded in the meeting were to host the candidate for at least two public meetings, to meet privately as a group after that evaluation to discuss whether to proceed, and to consider issuing a request for proposals if members decide broader outreach is needed.