The Moore County Schools Board of Education spent much of its May 11 meeting recognizing students, teachers, volunteers, and retirees, but discussion later in the evening turned toward a growing concern over legal spending and the district’s decision to change law firms.
The board approved an additional $60,000 for legal fees, increasing the district’s legal spending allocation to roughly $660,000 for the fiscal year. The move prompted lengthy debate among board members over oversight, spending practices, and the district’s use of outside counsel.
The board began searching for a new legal firm in March, issuing a request for proposals with submissions due April 15. Two firms responded: Schwartz Law and Poyner Spruill.
Board member David Hensley criticized the district’s legal costs, comparing Moore County Schools to neighboring districts.
“We should not be spending three to seven-and-a-half times more than surrounding counties,” Hensley said during board discussion.
Hensley alleged that the issue stemmed from a lack of internal controls and oversight rather than attorney billing rates. He cited figures from nearby school systems, including Lee County and Cumberland County, to argue Moore County’s spending had become unsustainable.
Several public speakers echoed those concerns during the public comment period.
Despite the criticism, multiple board members defended the need to approve the additional legal funding to finish out the fiscal year.
Board member Amy Dahl said the district still needed legal services through June regardless of broader concerns about spending levels.
Board chair Robin Calcutt said much of the district’s legal work involves board policy, exceptional children services, personnel matters, and litigation.
Following a request-for-proposals process, district leadership recommended hiring Poyner Spruill to replace Schwartz Law as the district’s primary legal counsel.
The board reports that Poyner Spruill has 90 attorneys in its firm, with 11 in its dedicated Education Law Practice Group.
According to the meeting agenda as provided by the Moore County Board of Education, Poyner Spruill’s large team of attorneys and broad range of legal specialties would reportedly provide stronger support and faster service for Moore County Schools. The firm also stresses staff training, preventive practices, and helping school systems avoid costly legal issues before they escalate.
The board voted 5 – 2 to move forward with changing legal representation beginning July 1. The dissenting votes came from board members Hensley and Pauline Bruno.
Interim Superintendent Jenny Purvis said the recommendation was based not only on cost structure but also on the firm’s ability to provide faster responses, staff training, and more detailed billing breakdowns.
Under the proposed agreement, the district would no longer pay a $5,000 monthly retainer fee. The new firm also agreed to provide department-specific billing records and identify which district staff members initiated legal work.
File photo by Sandhills Sentinel photographer Melissa Schaub.
Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Written by Sandhills Sentinel assistant editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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