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Board approves J. Crews & Associates contract for special-education legal services
Summary
Trustees approved an agreement with J. Crews and Associates LLC for special-education legal services after reviewing ten-year spending history and discussing whether existing counsel could provide similar representation; one trustee expressed opposition but the contract passed.
LAREDO, Texas ' The Laredo ISD Board of Trustees on Nov. 14 voted to approve an agreement for special-education legal services with J. Crews and Associates LLC, following review of the district's purchase-order history and questions about alternative representation.
Superintendent and staff reviewed a chart of the district's spending on the firm over several years and noted there is no retainer; payments vary by case. "In this chart ... for the year 2024, the PO originally had been marked as $30,000, but $26,707 were paid," staff said, summarizing historical totals and explaining purchase-order practice.
Trustees asked whether the district's current general counsel could handle special-education cases. Staff responded that the existing outside firm has particular experience with special-education representation at the Texas Education Agency level and that changing counsel could require new contracting and negotiation on billing terms. Trustees also discussed how unspent purchase-order balances are handled and were told unused funds remain available to the district unless new PO increases are issued.
After discussion, a motion to approve the agreement passed; one trustee recorded opposition during the roll call. The board instructed staff to continue oversight of special-education legal spending and procurement as cases proceed.
