Agenda Item
9. READY FOR ACTION: Amendment to the Bylaws & Policies: Board Policy: BBE: School Board Attorney
Summary: Presented by: Mr. Glinton R. Darien, Jr., Director of Legal Affairs, 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 as "READY FOR ACTION".
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. Glinton R. Darien, Jr., Director of Legal Affairs, Division of Legal Services
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Attorney Approval Not Required
Board Policy BBE: School Board Attorney
CLEAN VERSION
The DeKalb County Board of Education will retain a School Board Attorney knowledgeable
in school law to provide legal advice and counsel to the Board in the performance of its
duties, litigation, and other legal services. The School Board Attorney represents the Board.
The Board may retain special counsel when appropriate due to subject-matter need,
workload, conflict of interest, or other circumstances determined by the Board.
The School Board Attorney serves at the pleasure of the Board and will be compensated for
services rendered. The School Board Attorney will attend all Board meetings and other
meetings when requested by the Board Chair as representative of the Board.
The Board Chair serves as the Board's spokesperson and coordinates communications
with the School Board Attorney on behalf of the Board. Individual Board member requests
for formal written legal opinions or guidance must be coordinated through the Board Chair
in accordance with Board procedures, or pursuant to the majority of the Board. The School
Board Attorney will not provide counsel to individual Board members regarding matters of
personal concern that do not relate to Board service or represent individual Board
members in personal legal matters.