Lawrence School Committee hires outside counsel after two interviews amid questions over receivership role

The Lawrence School Committee voted on May 14 to hire attorney Terry to serve as the committee's legal counsel after interviewing two candidates recommended through the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and the district receiver.

The decision followed roughly three hours of interviews and discussion in which members probed candidates about collective bargaining, open-meeting-law compliance, training for committee members, and how counsel would advise when the committee's legal position differs from the superintendent's or the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Why it matters: Lawrence Public Schools remains under receivership, and committee members are working to rebuild local governing capacity. The committee's hire of outside counsel is intended to give members direct legal advice as they assume greater governance responsibilities. Several members said that clarity about the counsel's independence from district administration and the receiver is essential.

"Who's paying this attorney?" Jonathan Guzman, an elected at-large member and the committee clerk, asked during the meeting, pressing for clarity on whether the receiver or local funds would cover the contract and arguing for visible, hybrid candidate presentations to allow public participation. Vice Chair Jessica Ramirez said the receiver had solicited recommendations but that the committee hires and must feel comfortable with the counsel who will support its work.

Both finalists, who practice at the same firm, described experience advising school committees across Massachusetts. The candidate identified as Terry highlighted long experience in school law, work on governance and collective bargaining, and a focus on training to reduce legal risk. The other candidate, Justin Gomes, emphasized a practice concentrated on public school districts, experience with student-discipline and special-education matters, and advising clients on communications and legal risks in politically sensitive cases.

During questioning, candidates told the committee they commonly advise on collective bargaining, open-meeting-law compliance, public-records requests, student-discipline frameworks and the limits of committee authority. Both said they routinely provide a menu of options and guidance rather than making decisions for the committee. Terry said he is "a big believer in training," and both candidates described drawing on firm colleagues for litigation or specialized support when needed.

Committee discussion after the interviews focused on differences in experience and the practical benefits of having access to a broader firm team. Members noted that both finalists could draw on institutional resources at their firm and that the committee could expect a range of options and training from counsel.

The vice chair announced the committee's selection of Terry and said the committee would notify the receiver to move forward with engagement; she said they hoped to have the new counsel attend the committee's June meeting. The meeting closed after brief announcements about recognizing retiring teachers at the June meeting.

What happens next: The committee will coordinate with the receiver to finalize the engagement of attorney Terry and continue the committee's capacity-building work, including trainings on budget and finance, special education and open-meeting-law procedures.

Sources: Remarks and votes recorded at the Lawrence School Committee meeting on May 14, as read aloud by Vice Chair Jessica Ramirez and committee members during candidate interviews and the subsequent selection discussion.