School committee approves E and D consultant contract with legal review and authorizes up to 40 hours of reconciliation work

The Southern Berkshire Regional School Committee voted to approve a proposal from Education Finance Services (EFS) for E and D work and to send the draft contract for legal review before final signature.

Treasurer/consultant Camille Lamica proposed a $5,500 scope of E and D services to help finalize fiscal accounting, and she offered additional reconciliation work estimated at up to 40 hours at $125 an hour to correct cash reconciliations and ledger discrepancies. Committee members raised concerns about contract language (termination-for-convenience clauses and billing for work outside scope). Several members wanted legal counsel to review and revise the contract terms before execution.

After discussion, the committee voted to approve the E and D engagement with legal review and separately authorized up to 40 hours of reconciliation work at $125/hour, with the superintendent and business manager tracking hours and details of tasks. "We will communicate that the school committee approved up to 40 hours," the superintendent said while urging detailed time records.

Supporters argued the work is necessary to reconcile long-outstanding accounting issues flagged by the auditor and to position the district for on-time audit reporting and FY28 budgeting. Opponents warned the committee to cap or carefully define additional hours and to ensure the contract protects the district from overpayment if the work is incomplete.

The treasurer and superintendent agreed to provide detailed invoices and time sheets for any billed hours and to present a reporting plan to the finance committee. Legal counsel will review contract provisions and return recommended edits for final approval.