Azusa board tables review of legal counsel contract, asks staff for comparative data and cost estimate
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Summary
After a lengthy conversation about best practices and staff workload, the board voted unanimously to table consideration of an RFP for district legal counsel and asked staff to return with comparative contract lengths, estimated costs, and analysis on whether closed sessions are appropriate for evaluating counsel performance.
The Azusa Unified School District Board on Nov. 4 tabled discussion on whether to solicit a new request for proposals (RFP) for general legal counsel and asked district staff to gather further information.
Board members and staff discussed best-practice guidance that legal counsel/purchased services contracts be reviewed every three to seven years; administrators recommended five years as a reasonable middle ground. Assistant superintendents noted the RFP process requires significant staff time, committee review, and possible presentations from candidate firms.
"It is best practice, 3 to 7 years," an administrator said during the discussion, and Superintendent Ortega suggested a five-year review as a practical compromise.
Board members asked staff for additional details, including whether the district's current law firm (F3, under the current arrangement) has been used for an extended period, what it would cost the district to run an RFP, and whether certain elements of evaluation could be held in closed session. The board amended a motion to table the item so staff can return with comparative data, cost estimates, and recommended next steps. The motion to table passed 5-0.
Administration said if the board opts not to run an RFP the district would continue annual contract renewals, but if the board chooses to proceed staff will invite firms to respond and bring a recommendation back to the board for approval.