Lee County School Board votes 7-0 to enter negotiations with interim attorney Rob Dodig

The Lee County School Board voted 7-0 on April 1, 2026, to make interim school board attorney Rob Dodig the board’s choice for the permanent school board attorney and authorized entering into negotiations for a contract. The board also canceled interviews that had been scheduled to begin the following day.

Board member Ms. Jordan opposed bypassing the interview process, saying the board had an established procedure that applicants should be allowed to complete. “To ask people to go through this process and for us not to afford them the opportunity to be heard from us, I think to me, that's an issue,” she said during the discussion.

Board members who supported appointing Dodig argued his experience as interim made further interviews unnecessary. “He checks the box for everything for me,” said Board member Mr. Fisher, who also asked whether skipping interviews posed legal risk. Attorney Quick, the board attorney, told the board that it could modify the process and begin negotiations “as long as the decision’s made for, you know, not for improper purposes,” and that the board could proceed to negotiate with a single applicant.

At the meeting Ms. Giovanelli moved to appoint Rob Dodig from interim to permanent school board attorney and to enter into negotiations; Mr. Fisher seconded the motion. The board approved the motion by roll call, with votes recorded in favor from Mr. Fisher, Ms. Giovanelli, Mr. Ribble, Ms. Jordan, Ms. Langford-Fleming, Ms. Chaviano and the chair (referred to in discussion as Mr. Persons). The board then confirmed that the chair would serve as the board’s liaison for those negotiations and approved that authorization by roll call, 7-0.

Board materials presented at the meeting noted there were three applicants and that one candidate had withdrawn before the meeting; members cited that context while explaining why they chose to proceed without holding the scheduled interviews. The board’s action directs staff and the chair to begin negotiation steps; the transcript indicates a tentative contract already existed and that Attorney Quick will assist as needed.

The board closed the meeting with congratulations to Mr. Dodig. The special meeting adjourned at 1:14 p.m.; members noted a board workshop scheduled for April 14 at 1:00 p.m. followed by an action meeting at 6:00 p.m.

(Reporting note: quotes and votes are drawn from the board’s April 1, 2026 special meeting transcript.)