Board approves hiring outside special‑education counsel after public questions about rates and case load

The Council Rock School District board on May 15 approved an engagement letter with the law firm Whistler Pearlstein to provide special‑education legal services after public questions about hourly rates and the number of active cases.

Solicitor Mr. Musso and administration leaders told the board Whistler will bill at rates consistent with the district’s existing special‑education structures: partner-level work at $250 per hour for general special‑education matters, $200 per hour for associates, and $125 per hour for paralegals, with a lower $160 per hour rate that applies once a parent files a due‑process complaint, the solicitor said.

Why it matters: board members and members of the public pressed for clarity about how many special‑education matters the district currently handles and whether the new engagement creates any financial conflicts. The solicitor said the district had reduced due‑process cases to near zero in the past but currently has several active due‑process matters; he estimated “six or seven” active due‑process cases. Solicitor Musso and administration officials said the engagement is between the district and Whistler Pearlstein; they said Rudolph & Clark (the district solicitor firm) would not receive referral fees and would not financially benefit from the arrangement.

Discussion and safeguards: board members asked about transitioning active cases to Whistler and about the firm’s expertise. Attorney Musso said the firm has experience in districts similar to Council Rock and that the district expects a “seamless” transition for most matters; Amy Brooks of Whistler Pearlstein was identified in the meeting as the partner expected to lead the work. Musso also said the engagement letter and rates are posted in the board materials.

Action and votes: the engagement was included among consent items considered by the board and advanced after discussion; board members voted to approve the consent agenda items that included the Whistler engagement.

Next steps: administration said it will coordinate an introductory meeting between Whistler and special‑education staff and clarify the transition plan for active matters.