North Hunterdon-Voorhees board votes to continue with current counsel, pending contract approval

At a Nov. 11 special meeting called by the board president, the North Hunterdon‑Voorhees Regional High School District Board of Education moved into executive session to discuss legal counsel and later voted to continue with current board counsel Phil Stern and his new firm, Taylor Law Group, subject to approval of a written contract setting rates and a term.

The board president opened the meeting saying, “We are here to discuss legal counsel,” and noted that public notice for the meeting had been published under the Open Public Meetings Act (NJSA 10:4‑6). The board adopted Resolution 111120Five-one to move into executive session for approximately one hour; the president said action would follow upon return to public session.

During the public portion of the meeting before and after the closed session, several board members questioned whether discussions about counsel could be held openly. One member argued the matters likely involve “anticipated or pending litigation” and therefore would be covered by attorney‑client privilege, preventing public deliberation of some details. The president and other members said the board had received a communication about its legal representation and needed to review options in closed session.

After the closed discussion, a board member moved to continue with Phil Stern and his new firm, Taylor Law Group. The motion was amended to make retention contingent on a written contract to be presented to and approved by the board at its next meeting; the amendment specified continuation at Stern’s current rates and proposed an end date of June 30, 2026, unless the board decided otherwise. Another member proposed an alternative to retain Stern only for current matters while referring selection of permanent general counsel to the committee structure for a January recommendation; that amendment was discussed and subsequently withdrawn.

The board then held a roll‑call vote on the amended motion. Recorded responses included a mix of yes and no votes; the chair announced the motion passed. Brennan conducted roll call for the vote; the meeting record shows multiple members voting in favor and several voting no. The board president said the contract and terms would be brought back for formal approval at a subsequent meeting.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn that was approved. The board’s notices listed posting at North Hunterdon and Voorhees high schools and the municipal clerks for the district’s sending communities.