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South Redford board names legal firms after debate over contracts and retainer terms
Summary
After a heated discussion about missing contracts and fee transparency, the South Redford School District Board of Education voted 6–1 to name two law firms as the district's legal counsel and asked staff to follow up with the firms about written retainer terms or contracts.
The South Redford School District Board of Education voted 6–1 to name two law firms as the district's legal counsel for the 2024–25 school year after trustees pressed for clearer documentation of rates and retainer terms.
Trustees debated whether the district should have written contracts with its longtime legal providers. A board member urged the board to "go through that process of reviewing where our attorneys are and get a contract in place," saying the district has been "rolling it over" for decades and that a written agreement would protect the district and help budget for legal services.
Superintendent Jason told trustees that Miller Canfield has represented the district for more than 40 years and provided recent cost history: "For the fiscal year '22, we spent less than $3,000 in legal fees to Miller Canfield. And for fiscal year '23, we spent approximately $10,500." He said the board’s formal naming authorizes staff to operationalize legal support when issues arise.
Other trustees pressed two points: first, that there is no formal, written contract capturing rates and retainer terms; and second, that the board should consider whether an RFP or other procurement review is warranted. One trustee said the lack of archived documentation about why the firms were first selected is "alarming" and asked staff to research district records and what other districts do.
A different trustee described the arrangement as a retainer in practice: "They're under retainer," the trustee said, adding that itemized bills should be available when services are used.
After extended discussion the board moved, seconded and adopted the resolution naming the firms. The board recorded the motion as passing 6 ayes and 1 nay. Trustees also requested follow-up: staff were asked to ask the named firms for written retainer terms or contract language and report back to the board at a future meeting so the board can consider whether to formalize terms or open an RFP.
The board did not remove the firms; members emphasized the vote names them for the coming year while allowing staff to gather additional information for a later procurement conversation.
What happens next: Trustees asked that the district request documentation of terms and rates from the named firms and place a report or further discussion on a future agenda. The superintendent and chair agreed to record the follow-up request.
