Budget committee recommends retaining incumbent legal counsel after RFP review

The Waunakee budget committee reviewed responses to a legal-services request for proposals and the administration recommended continuing with the incumbent firm, Strang Law (Kirk Strang), citing institutional knowledge, experience with student-discipline hearings and a significant reduction in legal spending this year.

A staff presenter summarized the procurement: the RFP was sent to five firms and responses were received from all. The presenter said the recommended firm "understands our context" and has provided seamless representation during social/disciplinary hearings; she added that the district has reduced legal costs from $153,916 in 2024–25 to $28,614 so far this year. The recommendation included a no-charge review of employee investigations as part of the Strang Law proposal.

Committee members asked for an objective record that ties the recommendation to the RFP scoring criteria. One member requested a succinct table that identifies the highest-weighted evaluation questions and how the chosen firm outscored competitors on those priority items; staff agreed to provide that documentation for the full board.

The committee moved, seconded and approved the recommendation to remain with Strang Law; staff will forward the recommended provider to the full board for consideration at the next meeting.