Centennial board approves outside contracts to handle Title IX investigation after hours of debate

The Centennial School District Board of School Directors voted March 10 to hire outside firms to handle an ongoing Title IX investigation, approving an engagement with Grand River Solutions as investigator and Raphael Pupio LLP as decision-maker counsel after extended discussion about costs and contract safeguards.

Board members debated the two contracts for nearly three hours as parents, alumni and the district listened. Heather Hopkins, the district's director of student services, told the board the district had to move quickly to identify a Title IX team — a coordinator, an investigator and a decision maker — and that outside firms had been recommended to ensure independence and speed. "We have three buckets for Title IX," Hopkins said, explaining the different kinds of Title IX complaints and why an outsourced investigator and decision maker were advised in this case.

Opposition centered on contract terms and cost controls. "I don't like to give open-ended contracts to anybody," board member Mr. Martin said during the discussion, arguing the district should include 'not-to-exceed' safeguards. Another member flagged a Grand River Solutions clause that would require the district to advance funds if costs "should reasonably be expected to exceed $5,000," and called it "an open-ended spending" provision that favored the contractor.

Administration and counsel responded that Title IX timelines and legal obligations limit the district's flexibility. A district attorney and school officials said prompt action is necessary to remain in compliance and to provide parents and complainants with the supportive measures Title IX requires. Hopkins noted the district had already delayed appointing a team while awaiting legal recommendations and that additional delay could expose the district to federal complaint or litigation risks.

The board approved the contracts in a recorded voice vote the chair announced as "passes 7-0-1." The Raphael Pupio engagement was presented at a rate not to exceed $275 per hour; Grand River Solutions was listed at $260 per hour. A separate contract with Sweet Stevens Catz and Williams LLP to provide Title IX counsel management and training (through June 30, 2027) was noted as a not-to-exceed request of $3,000.

The board also directed administration to explore whether any legal fees could be reclaimed through insurance and to consider building clearer procurement and contingency language into future Title IX engagements. Several trustees said they would ask policy and finance committees to review contract language and vendor selection practices so the district can balance responsiveness with fiscal safeguards.

The vote concluded the separate consideration of contract items removed from the consent agenda; the remainder of the consent agenda items were approved earlier in the meeting.