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Parent urges board to sever ties with district attorney, citing pattern of controversy
Summary
Lisa Beach, a parent of three, told the board that legal counsel Brad Miller has been associated with litigation and controversy in multiple districts and urged the board to seek counsel focused on reducing legal risk and protecting the district's reputation.
At the public-comment portion of the March 24 meeting, Lisa Beach — introduced to the board as a parent with three children in the district — urged trustees to review and potentially end the district's contract with attorney Brad Miller.
"When the attorney becomes a source of controversy instead of protection, we need to consider other options," Beach told the board, saying Miller represents multiple districts that have experienced lawsuits and public conflicts. She alleged the district received inaccurate open-meetings advice in the past that cost the district "tens of thousands" in fees and cited other districts where, she said, Miller's approach escalated disputes rather than resolving them.
Beach questioned why Miller appears to be paid more than the firms handling special-education cases and asked the board to consider counsel that emphasizes "stability, collaboration, and protecting the district from unnecessary risk." She concluded by urging the board to "sever ties with Brad Miller and seek legal counsel that better reflects the values and long term interests of this community."
Board members did not take action on the matter during the meeting; later items included multiple policy first readings and an executive session for legal advice. The transcript records no immediate response from Miller or a staff legal representative in public session.
The comments are a formal public request that the board examine counsel options; the board may discuss the topic further in executive session or at a future meeting.
