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Toms River board hires outside counsel for Matarazzo lawsuit at up to $250 an hour
Summary
The board voted to retain Kiesa, P.C. to represent the district in Matarazzo v. Toms River Regional Board of Education at a rate not to exceed $250 per hour; one board member recused and a resident questioned the cost during public comment.
The Toms River Regional School District board voted to hire the Kiesa law firm to represent the district in Matarazzo v. Toms River Regional Board of Education (OCNL 29126) at a rate not to exceed $250 per hour.
The motion to award the professional services contract was made during the meeting and approved by roll call. During public comment resident Jennifer Howe asked whether the firms rate was $250 per hour and argued that the district should avoid legal expenses that could instead support students. The chair responded that the contract was "not to exceed $250 an hour," and noted the district had difficulty locating a non-conflicted firm; the chair also said the chosen firm was "a powerhouse of a firm" with higher typical hourly rates.
Board members moved and seconds were recorded; the roll call for the contract award recorded a recusal by one member. The board cited statute (18A:18-5 referenced during the motion) as the authority for the professional services appointment. The professional services award covers representation and defense of the board in the named litigation; the board did not specify a total not-to-exceed engagement cap during the public discussion.
