Attorney tells DeSoto board of cease-and-desist tied to food service contract; district to retain counsel

During attorney reports on Feb. 10, Mr. Brook told the DeSoto County School District board the district had received a cease-and-desist letter from Wilfredo, identified in the meeting as executive director of the Peace River Service Unit, concerning 'FRP 2526-01' related to the district's food service management company. Mr. Brook said a small number of emails had been exchanged and recommended that it would be in the district's best interest to retain counsel to represent the district as the matter proceeds.

Mr. Brook also informed the board of a $20,000 gift from the estate of Deborah Cohen intended for Memorial Elementary. He said the gift is in probate and is to be divided equally among kindergarten through second-grade teachers for classroom supplies and enrichment during the school year. The board acknowledged the donation.

The transcript does not record further details of the cease-and-desist claim, any proposed or authorized counsel, or a formal vote to retain counsel during this meeting. The board took no immediate public action beyond hearing the report and acknowledging the donation.

Next steps were not specified on the record; Mr. Brook recommended retaining counsel, which implies forthcoming staff action to engage outside counsel and to report back to the board.