MINUTES
OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE GOVERNING BOARD
SCOTTSDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 48
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March 18, 2004 A Special
Meeting of the Governing Board of the Scottsdale Unified School District,
#48, Maricopa County, was called to order at 6:30 PM, at the Scottsdale
School District Education Center Board Room, 3811 North 44th
Street, Phoenix, Arizona. Board Members
in attendance were Sandra Zapien-Ferrero, President; Karen Beckvar, Clerk;
Shari Avianantos; Joel S. Feldman; and Christine M. Schild. Associate Superintendent Don Jefferies was
present. A quorum was present. An Executive
Session was convened for: An appeal
regarding the District’s policy for entrance into kindergarten, Case
#2003514. At 7:00 PM, the
Special Meeting reconvened. Information/Action
Item
Mr. Feldman, a member of the subcommittee appointed by
the Board to investigate the feasibility and cost of engaging a legal
auditing firm for the purposes of reviewing legal bills, summarized what he
reported on to the Board during Governing Board Reports at the March 16, 2004
Regular Board Meeting. Mr. Feldman
had contacted several national and local firms and was recommended the firm
of Stinson, Morrison & Hecker. He
spoke with a partner at that firm, Julie Pace, in regard to an audit of the
Lewis & Roca billing in the Booth matter. Discussion was held on what would be expected from an audit by
Ms. Pace. Also discussed was the fee
she had quoted to Mr. Feldman of no more than $4,000, but more likely
approximately $3,100 for 13 to 14 hours of work. Mr. Feldman reported to the Board what he and Ms. Pace had
discussed about an audit. Ms. Pace
stated to Mr. Feldman that she did not feel that she would need to have any
discussion with Lewis & Roca, and that she should be able to tell if
their billing was warranted by just looking at their billing. The Board also discussed what they would
do in the eventuality that Ms. Pace opined that the billing was reasonable,
or adversely, if she opined that the billing was not. Mr. Feldman moved that the Board retain the services
of Stinson, Morrison & Hecker to review the legal billings of Lewis &
Roca with regard to the Principal Booth matter and to review same for the
reasonability of charges and, further moved that the District pay an hourly
charge not to exceed $250 per hour and in the aggregate, charges cannot
exceed more than $3,500. Mrs. Schild
seconded the motion. The motion was approved with a vote of 3 – 2 (Mrs.
Zapien-Ferrero and Mrs. Avianantos voted Nay). It was agreed that Mr. Feldman should prepare an
agreement and bring it back to the Board President for review. Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero directed Mr. Feldman
to please write down exactly what you want Ms. Pace to opine, as the District
needs to be exact as to what we want the law firm to do. Mr. Feldman agreed. At 8:07 PM, Ms. Beckvar moved to adjourn. Mrs. Schild seconded the motion. The motion was approved with a vote of 5 – 0. Dated this 18th
day of March 2004. The Governing Board of the Scottsdale
Unified School District #48
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Convene in
Executive Session Special Meeting
Reconvenes Information/ActionReport from
Board subcommittee on Engaging a Legal Auditing Firm Motion #126Retain Services
of Stinson, Morrison & Hecker Motion #127Adjournment |