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Trustees approve DWK law-firm contract after debate; board asks staff to solicit additional bids going forward
Summary
Trustees approved a contract with law firm DWK after an extended discussion about past emergency use and the value of long-term familiarity; several trustees said the district should seek additional counsel options going forward.
Trustees removed agenda item 6.8 (a contract with law firm DWK) from the consent calendar for discussion. A trustee asked the board to consider soliciting additional bids so the district had more options; the trustee said she wanted to ensure the district explored other providers rather than relying on a single firm.
An administrator described prior cases in which long-standing counsel had supported the district through time-sensitive, legally technical situations (including contract negotiations and layoffs) and said that historical familiarity had been helpful during those crises. Trustees said they agreed that the district could benefit from multiple vendors and directed staff to seek additional counsel options in the future, but they moved to approve the contract this meeting; the motion passed.
No written protest, alternative bidder or formal conflict-of-interest finding was recorded in the captured transcript. Trustees indicated a desire to expand the roster of outside counsel moving forward; staff agreed to pursue additional bids or bench options for future needs.
