BDG - School Attorney

School Attorney

The Franklin School Committee may use the services provided by the town counsel. The Committee and the Superintendent may seek counsel to represent the school system at various times.

However, because the complexity of school department operations often requires specialized legal services, the Committee may also retain an attorney or law firm to provide additional legal services.

It will be the duty of the counsel for the Committee to advise the School Committee and the Superintendent on specific legal problems.  Counsel will attend meetings upon request and will be sufficiently familiar with Committee policies, practices, and actions under these policies, and with requirements of public education law to offer the necessary legal advice.

A decision to seek legal advice or assistance on behalf of the school system will be made by the Committee, or be made at the discretion of the superintendent or designee.

Many types of legal assistance are routine and do not require specific committee approval or prior notice. However, when the Superintendent concludes that unusual types or amounts of professional legal service may be required, the Superintendent will advise the Committee and seek either initial or continuing authorization for such service.

Reviewed; revised 7/8/08; 5/8/14

Reviewed; revised 1/3/2019