Board approves short-term and 2025–26 appointments for district solicitor amid debate

The Palmyra Area School District Board of Directors voted to appoint legal services from the firm referenced in the meeting as “Saxton and Stump” to serve as district solicitor for an initial short-term period (April 1, 2025 through June 30, 2025) and then for the 2025–26 school year.

The short-term appointment was moved by board member Mr. Guy and seconded by Mrs. Gilligan. During discussion, Mrs. Martin said she would vote no on principle because she wanted the district to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for legal services and hear presentations from other firms; she said she would support a short-term appointment only if the board committed to an RFP for the following year. Other board members—citing continuity, past issues with prior solicitors, and positive experience with the current solicitor staff—spoke in favor of the short-term appointment and of extending the arrangement into 2025–26. Several directors said they had little interest in another round of presentations and preferred continuity through the end of the school year.

The first motion (short-term appointment through June 30, 2025) passed on roll call with five yes votes and one no (Mrs. Martin); two members were absent. The second motion to appoint the same firm for the 2025–26 school year also passed by roll call with the same division of support recorded on the floor.

Board discussion referenced prior problems with earlier solicitor engagements and praised specific members of the solicitor team for handling special education and other district legal matters. Several board members emphasized the district’s immediate need for uninterrupted legal representation during the transition.

The engagement letter dated March 7, 2025, was noted on the record; the board did not put the matter out for a competitive solicitation at this meeting.