Board approves up-to-$90,000 retainer for Ed Bailey Advisors over one trustees objection

The Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District Board approved a contract with Ed Bailey Advisors, a firm the district has used on retainer to support business services, for the 2026–27 school year not to exceed $90,000.

Staff said the firm helps the district complete required forms and reports and has been retained for several years to provide supplemental assistance when the business services office needs help meeting deadlines. "They support our business services department, as far as completing required forms, reports, if and when needed, they are on a retainer if approved," staff said.

Trustee Brianna Taxoni voiced opposition during the discussion, questioning the need for the contract and calling the $90,000 cap an unnecessary expense: "I see this as an extra $90,000. Sometimes when you give somebody a crutch, they're gonna use it when they don't need it, and I feel like it's money wasted," she said. After discussion, trustees voted to approve the contract; Taxoni recorded a no vote.

The board did not specify additional reporting or deliverables tied to the retainer in the motion on the record.