Agenda Item
1. SECOND READ: Amendment to the Bylaws & Policies: Board Policy: BBE: School Board Attorney
Summary: Presented by: Mr. H. Eric Hilton, Chief Legal Officer, Division of Legal Services
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the proposed revisions to Board Policy BBE: School Board Attorney lay on the table as a second read at the July 13, 2026, board meeting and be considered for adoption at a future board meeting.
Why: These policy revisions are being proposed for language updates and clarification.
Details: The proposed policy updates to Board Policy BBE: School Board Attorney include language revisions clarifying the School Board Attorney’s role. A revision to the current regulation also includes language further clarifying the role of the School Board Attorney and the Chief Legal Officer's Roles and responsibilities. The Policy Review Committee reviewed the proposed revisions and recommended placement of this policy on today’s agenda.
Financial impact: No Financial Impact
Contact: Mr. H. Eric Hilton, Chief Legal Officer, Division of Legal Services
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Attorney Approval Not Required
Board Policy Manual
DeKalb County School District
Board Policy BBE: School Board A orney Status: DRAFT -
1st Reading
Original Adopted Date: 08/10/2009 | Last Revised Date: Pending | Last Reviewed Date:
05/03/2026
CLEAN DRAFT
The DeKalb County Board of Educa on will retain a School Board
A orney knowledgeable in school law to provide legal advice and
counsel to the Board in the performance of its du es, li ga on, and
other legal services. The School Board A orney represents the Board.
The Board may retain special counsel when appropriate due to subject-
ma er need, workload, conflict of interest, or other circumstances
determined by the Board.
The School Board A orney serves at the pleasure of the board and will
be compensated for services rendered. The School Board A orney will
a end Board mee ngs and other mee ngs when requested by the Board
Chair as representa ve of the board.
The Board Chair serves as the Board’s spokesperson and coordinates
communica ons with the School Board A orney on behalf of the Board.
Individual Board member requests for formal wri en legal opinions or
guidance must be coordinated through the Board Chair in accordance
with Board procedures. The School Board A orney will not provide
counsel to individual board members regarding ma ers of personal
concern that do not relate to Board service or represent individual Board
members in personal legal ma ers.