Board selects former Washoe chief counsel Neil Lombardo to negotiate as district legal counsel

The Churchill County School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to select Neil Lombardo to enter contract negotiations for the district's general‑counsel role. Lombardo, who introduced himself as a former Washoe County School District chief general counsel with nearly three decades practicing in Nevada, emphasized litigation experience, special‑education litigation management, training and prevention, and a commitment to be responsive to the district's needs. "I would really enjoy the opportunity to represent you, Ben Cooper, his team, and the students' family and community of Churchill County," he told trustees during his interview.

Trustees weighed two complete proposals: one candidate (the first applicant) presented local availability and a lower retainer but acknowledged limited special‑education experience; Lombardo offered deeper K–12 education‑law experience and a retainer model (24 hours per month) that trustees said justified the cost given the district's recent leadership transitions. Several trustees said experience and immediate training capacity were decisive: "We need someone with extreme experience at this point in time," one trustee said. Trustee McFadden moved to authorize staff to negotiate a contract with Lombardo; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

The board directed staff to begin negotiations; final contract terms and any exclusions (for complex litigation, travel/time billing, or additional outside counsel) will return to the board for approval.