Title: Special Mtg. re: Hiring Outside Counsel

Recommendation:

I recommend award of the outside counsel contract with Greenberg Taurig, and authorize the Superintendent and Board Chairman to execute all necessary documents.

Description:

The outside counsel shall prepare an amicus curiae brief to be filed with the Florida Supreme Court. This brief must be filed by September 21, 2007.

On September 6, 2007, in the case of Dr. Gregory L. Strand v. Escambia County, Florida, etc., et al; SC06-1894, the Florida Supreme Court raised questions regarding the validity of using Certificates of Participation (COPs) as a school financing mechanism.

The Palm Beach County School District has made use of the COPs mechanism since 1994. There is 1.8 billion dollars outstanding for construction projects. Currently 772 million is planned as part of the FY08 capital plan that was adopted by this Board on September 5, 2007.

Chief Counsel determined that the complexity of the appellate issues warrants the use of outside counsel

Financial Impact:
TBD

For Additional Information, contact:
Gerald A. Williams, Esq.; Chief Counsel williamsg@palmbeach.k12.fl.us