Southampton board hires outside counsel, approves grant-funded HBCU trip and personnel items

The Southampton Union Free School District Board of Education approved several action items during its work session, including retention of outside counsel for an investigation, an overnight college-visit trip for student clubs, and multiple personnel actions.

The board adopted a resolution to retain Jennifer Spring, Esquire, to conduct an investigation into personnel matters at an hourly rate of $250. The motion was made by Monique Proctor and seconded; the clerk called the roll and members recorded affirmative votes, carrying the measure.

The board also approved an overnight trip for juniors and seniors in the My Brother's Keeper and Black Girl Magic clubs to visit historically Black colleges and universities in Norfolk, Virginia, Oct. 23'Oct. 26, 2025. District discussion noted the trip is grant-funded; a board member said the grant amount is about $8,500 and presenters said funds are designated to the organizing group.

Board members approved personnel items listed on the agenda in a separate roll-call vote.

During discussion the trustees reviewed attorney guidance about sponsorships and scoreboard advertising. One board member summarized the memo as saying, "We cannot advertise on a school district funded scoreboard," and trustees debated whether booster clubs or PTAs could accept donations or run non-commercial messages as a workaround. The board asked the attorney to clarify allowable options and wording to avoid impermissible commercial advertising.

The board concluded the work session after recognizing public-comment rules and praising students who reported a recent online safety incident that was promptly addressed by school security and local law enforcement.

Recorded outcomes from the meeting: retention of counsel (approved), overnight college trip (approved), and agenda personnel items (approved).