Public to see JC schools behavior survey in 3 weeks

School district's contract with KC law firm reviewed

The Jefferson City School District Board of Education in November engaged a Kansas City law firm to provide legal services, in an effort to better understand concerns about student behavior within the district.

The decision to hire the Guin Mundorf firm was made in the wake of the Oct. 13 board meeting, where some parents raised concerns about disruptive students at Moreau Heights Elementary School and other parents pleaded for understanding of special education students' rights and needs.

After being hired in November, Shellie L. Guin, an attorney with the Guin Mundorf LLC law firm in Kansas City, presented her findings to the board in mid-April at the district's central offices. According to her online profile, Guin has more than 19 years of experience practicing in the area of education law.

A public version of the report is expected to be ready by May 20, to be shared with faculty before the end of the school year.

To date, the district has spent $34,578 with the firm.

At the Oct. 13 meeting, the board announced the creation of an audit committee - consisting of Ken Theroff, John Ruth and Alan Mudd - to oversee and coordinate an audit of behavior concerns relayed by members of the public during the open forum.

At that time, the committee was empowered by the board, by consensus, to take any needed action to proceed with the audit.

Dennis Nickelson joined the committee in his capacity as then-president.

In a contract between the law firm and the district, Guin was tasked with conducting a "comprehensive audit related to the management of student behavioral issues within the district" and a "review and determination of any violations of confidentiality requirements with respect to the release of identifiable student information." The contract also mentions other responsibilities may be assigned.

According to documents released by the district, the committee met five times between Oct. 21 and Jan. 8, including an emergency meeting on Oct. 21. The whole board met four times between Oct. 13 and April 10 to discuss the committee's work.

The documents also noted the decision to retain Guin was indicated at the Dec. 8 public, open board meeting.

The document states the board, prior to hiring Guin, contacted four firms regarding their possible interest in doing the work. Three were considered by the committee, which voted 4-0 to approve Guin. Ruth - who assumed the role of board president April 10 - said Guin was chosen after references were checked. And all of the firms had hourly rates within $5 of one another, he noted.

According to the contract the district signed, the firm's rates range between $120 per hour for a paralegal to $230 per hour for Guin's service.

Ruth said he felt the process - which included interviewing about 30 people involved with the district in some capacity - was valuable.

"In hindsight, even if there had not been community concern, I feel it was money and time well spent. In reflecting upon what I've heard so far, I'm glad we did it. I think it will help us get better," Ruth said. "Had it not been a demanded process, it was still a good exercise.

"I was impressed with Guin and her expertise shined through," he said.

The contract with Guin also included sections on confidentiality, rules for termination and the need for weekly communication with board members.

Incoming board member Pam Murray said Tuesday she had not had an opportunity to review the contract yet, but did look over the board's past minutes and attended a meeting on the topic last week.

The focus, she said, was to bring herself and incoming board member Michael Couty up to speed.

"I feel like I was brought up to speed," Murray said.

Murray said the board may be poised to improve how it communicates with the public.