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Toms River board authorizes outside counsel at up to $250/hour for pending litigation; public commenter questions cost
Summary
The board voted to retain outside counsel for Matarazzo v. Toms River Regional Board of Education at a blended rate not to exceed $250 per hour; one trustee recused, and a public commenter later questioned the expense and urged funds be used for students.
The Toms River Regional Schools Board voted to award a professional services contract to outside counsel to represent the district in Matarazzo v. Toms River Regional Board of Education (OCNL29126), approving a blended hourly rate not to exceed $250 under statutory procurement authority (18A:18-5).
Trustees moved to add the contract as agenda item 19A and approved the appointment by roll call; the transcript records that one trustee recused from that vote. The board discussed difficulty finding counsel without conflicts of interest among incumbent attorneys and described the firm as recommended to represent the district.
During public comment later in the meeting, Jennifer How of Admiral Avenue asked whether the retained firm’s hourly cap is $250 and criticized spending on outside counsel, saying money could instead go to students. A board representative confirmed the firm’s rate was not to exceed $250 per hour. The public commenter also praised district leadership amid recent storms and thanked staff for their work on student programs.
The record shows the board approved the contract and moved on to other agenda items; the transcript does not include the contract text, anticipated total fees, or an estimated total cost for the litigation.
