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Board approves $2,500 legal retainer to Thrun Law Firm after questions about terms
Summary
Trustees approved a $2,500 annual retainer for Thrun Law Firm 4-2 after debate over missing invoice, newly included order form and terms-and-conditions language in the packet; administration said retainer status secures lower rates and wider legal access.
The board approved, 4-2, a $2,500 retainer to Thrun Law Firm for the 2026 calendar year after trustees raised procedural and contractual questions.
Trustees said the packet lacked the retainer invoice and that new materials — specifically an order form and a terms-and-conditions attachment — had not been included in prior packets. One trustee asked whether approving the retainer tonight would also approve those terms and whether the district was inadvertently relinquishing certain rights when policies are later updated by the firm.
Administration and counsel responded that the retainer establishes an attorney-client relationship, typically yields lower hourly rates for services, and does not force the board to accept policy updates it does not want. The interim superintendent said he had asked the firm about refunds tied to past billing issues and expected a response in the coming days.
“Retainer status gives us access to lower rates,” the administration said, noting the district has used the firm previously and can select a different firm if the board prefers.
Opponents said they were not comfortable approving the retainer while outstanding questions about the order form and terms remained; supporters said delay would increase non-retainer hourly costs and could increase legal expense. The roll call recorded four trustees in favor and two opposed; the motion carried.
Trustees asked administration to get follow-up answers from the firm, to provide any missing invoices to the board, and to report back on any potential refunds.
