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Public commenter accuses board counsel of billing opaque invoices; trustees approve two‑year extension after debate
Summary
A public commenter presented invoices totaling $47,681 and urged trustees not to renew board legal counsel. Trustees discussed expectations of counsel and ultimately voted to extend the board counsel contract for two years by majority vote.
During public comments Diana Garza said she had submitted a public information request and alleged the board’s legal counsel billed significant sums for investigations and used outside firms. She cited two invoices — $19,600 and $28,081 — and asked trustees to refuse a contract extension and instead issue an RFQ for legal services: “Vote no to extending contract and search for legal counsel that is reasonable and is well versed in school law.”
Trustees debated transparency, counsel performance and the board’s collective needs. Trustee Jacqueline Sustaita urged the board to question and review counsel performance and to consider whether an RFQ was merited. Trustee Luis Santos defended current counsel’s past handling of complex matters and cited prior unanimous votes accepting investigations and reports. After discussion the board voted to approve a two‑year extension for the board’s legal counsel; the motion carried and the counsel recorded his aye vote for the record.
The matter produced clear disagreement among trustees about process and expectations for board counsel; several trustees asked staff to document cost controls and communications going forward.
