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Brush board approves 2026–27 handbooks, roof contract funded by settlement and retains legal counsel
Summary
At its July 6 meeting the School District No. Re‑2 (Brush) Board of Education approved the 2026–27 school and employee handbooks, authorized a maintenance‑building roof contract to be paid from a $400,000 settlement, approved routine personnel and procurement items, and retained outside legal counsel including immigration counsel for H‑1B matters.
The School District No. Re‑2 (Brush) Board of Education on July 6 approved the 2026–27 school and employee handbooks, authorized a maintenance building roof contract to be paid from recently recovered settlement funds, and agreed to retain two outside law firms, including immigration counsel for H‑1B matters.
Superintendent Missus Cody told the board the district reached a completed settlement with RMCC and MDZ that will net the district $400,000. "The district will be netting $400,000, which will pay for the entirety of that maintenance building roof contract," she said. The roof contract is listed at $372,452; the superintendent said full replacement of insulation could add about $60,000 if required, but staff do not currently anticipate full replacement.
The board also approved a $712,159 SAFER grant the district will use to buy interoperable radios that can reach district buses, schools and dispatch, and a $37,789 BDA amplifier for the secondary campus. Superintendent Cody said the BDA will be paid in full by the grant. The board approved student accident insurance with Hartford for $7,470, effective July 1, 2026–July 1, 2027.
Several routine fiscal and procurement items passed on roll call votes. The board approved engaging DMC Auditing and Consulting LLC to perform the district's financial and single audit for the fiscal year ending 06/30/2026, approved disposal of a 2005 Suburban with more than 330,000 miles, and authorized purchase of a replacement vehicle up to $45,000 from capital reserves (discussion clarified the vehicle may be used but must be 'new to us'). The board also amended a prior approval to increase a middle‑school wrestling mat purchase by $200 to $19,675.28, funded by the Peggis Foundation.
On legal representation, an initial motion to retain fiduciary recovery counsel failed for lack of a second; a subsequent motion to retain Fiduciary Risk Management to pursue recovery of funds from the district's medical and expense reimbursement plan under a reduced fee structure and to retain Josephine Hall as immigration legal counsel for H‑1B matters passed. The motion described the recovery counsel engagement at $250 per hour not to exceed $75,000; the superintendent said the quoted legal cost for the H‑1B matter is "just under $3,000." The board authorized the superintendent to execute the engagement agreements.
Votes at a glance
- Approve 2026–27 school and employee handbooks: Motion moved by board member (S9), seconded by Chair; roll call approved (Missus Garrett: Aye; Missus Hess: No; Mister Holdren: Aye; Mister Miller: Aye; Missus Stone: Aye; Mister Toddalini/Tavalini: Aye; Mister Chart/Church: Aye). Outcome: approved.
- Approve up to eight additional science‑of‑reading coaching days (grant‑funded): approved, no discussion.
- Personnel report: approved, no discussion.
- Approve maintenance building roofing contract (to be paid from settlement funds): approved; superintendent authorized to execute upon legal review.
- Approve student accident insurance (Hartford) $7,470 (07/01/2026–07/01/2027): approved.
- Retain Fiduciary Risk Management (MERP recovery) and retain Josephine Hall (immigration counsel for H‑1B matters): approved (recovery counsel $250/hr not to exceed $75,000; H‑1B legal cost quoted "just under $3,000").
- Audit engagement (DMC Auditing and Consulting LLC) for FY ending 06/30/2026: approved.
- Resolution 2026‑08 to dispose of 2005 Suburban: approved.
- Authorize purchase of replacement vehicle up to $45,000 from capital reserves (new to district): approved.
- Amend wrestling mat purchase to $19,675.28 from $19,475.28 (Peggis Foundation funds): approved.
- Adopt policy changes in Exhibit A (Policy Action Summary 07/06/2026): approved.
Why it matters: The settlement funds immediately cover the roofing contract without tapping general reserves, the SAFER and BDA grants add emergency communications capability across district sites, and the approved retention of immigration counsel creates a formal process to pursue H‑1B sponsorship for an individual teacher the district hopes to hire. The board set its next work session for Aug. 3 and its next regular meeting for Aug. 17.
Sources: Board meeting transcript and motions as presented to the School District No. Re‑2 (Brush) Board of Education.
