MCPS: General Legal Expenses hit $1.3 Million in FY16.

(*subtitle: Remind me again why the Board of Education hired a General Counsel?)


Non-special Education Legal Expenses

The total charges for non-special education legal expenses in June 2016 were $108,645.
The year-to-date total of $1,327,062 is $314,268 (31.0 percent) more than the same period
in the previous year. The non-Capital Improvements Program year-to-date portion totals
$1,105,427. This is $320,837 (40.9 percent) more than the same period in the previous year.

The Carney Kelehan bill for June 2016 totaled $81,881. The largest amount, which was for policy
matters, totaled $38,797, the largest part of which related to Board appeals ($23,773). The next
largest amount was for facilities matters ($22,879), which is charged to the capital budget.
The amount for personnel matters totaled $18,533, the largest part of which related to general
personnel matters ($11,102). The amount for financial matters totaled $1,444. The amount
for procurement matters totaled $228.

The Hogan Lovells bill for June 2016 totaled $8,178. The entire amount was for policy matters.
The Venable bill for June 2016 totaled $8,665. The largest amount, which was for policy matters,
totaled $6,752, all of which related to Board appeals. The next largest amount was for personnel
matters ($1,913).
Charges in June 2016 for court reporters, hearing officers, and other legal services totaled $9,921.
The largest amount, which was for policy matters, totaled $5,748, the largest part of which related
to Board appeals ($4,763). The amount for collective bargaining matters totaled $4,173.