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Board hires outside counsel for Matarazzo lawsuit at up to $250 per hour; public questions cost
Summary
The board approved a contract to retain an outside law firm to represent it in Matarazzo v. Toms River Regional Board at a rate not to exceed $250 per hour, citing conflicts with the district's regular attorneys; a public commenter questioned spending legal fees instead of directing funds to students.
The Toms River Regional Schools Board of Education voted to retain an outside law firm to represent the district in litigation identified on the agenda as Matarazzo v. Toms River Regional Board of Education at a rate not to exceed $250 per hour.
The item on the agenda authorized hiring the firm (listed as Kiesa, P.C.) to represent and defend the board pursuant to statutory authority cited in the agenda. The motion to award the professional services contract was moved by Egan and seconded by Contessa and carried by roll call.
During public comment, resident Jennifer Howe questioned whether the contract cap was $250 per hour and criticized the expenditure, asking why the board would spend legal fees that could instead be used for students. Howe said, “When you can't figure things out in the room and you're spending $250 an hour that could go to our students, I think it's a little absurd,” and urged fiscal caution. The Chair responded that the firm was recommended because district attorneys had conflicts and noted that the firm’s usual hourly rate was higher, saying their hourly rate was “somewhere up near 1000.”
Board minutes show some members voted in favor and a recusal was announced by a board member during the vote sequence. The board recorded the contract award and will use the outside firm in the pending matter.
