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Board approves outside counsel for Matarazzo lawsuit at up to $250 an hour
Summary
The board approved a contract to retain the Kiesa firm to represent the district in Matarazzo v. Toms River Regional Board of Education at a rate not to exceed $250 per hour; the vote included one recusal and drew public questions about legal costs.
The Toms River Regional Schools Board of Education voted to retain the Kiesa firm to represent the district in litigation identified in the agenda as Matarazzo v. Toms River Regional Board of Education. The contract language on the record states counsel will be retained "at a rate of $250 pursuant to 18A:18-5" and the resolution was added to the agenda before the vote.
During public comment, resident Jennifer Howe asked whether the board had approved counsel "is it $250 an hour for the counsel?" and the presiding officer replied, "the firm that we are retaining is not to exceed $250 an hour" and noted the district faced conflicts that prevented using its usual firms. The motion to award the contract passed by roll call with one recusal recorded during that vote.
Board discussion on the public record emphasized the need to secure counsel where existing providers would have a conflict; the board did not discuss the firm's identity beyond the contract language or provide a detailed estimate of anticipated hours or total litigation costs during the public session.
