Legal Services

The vendor is required to provide legal counsel services in support of its responsibilities under Maryland law.
- Legal counsel will provide legal support and guidance to the Board on governance, policy development, education law compliance, and administrative matters to ensure adherence to federal, state, and local regulations.
1. General Legal Support and Advisory Services
• Provide legal advice and opinions to the Board, its members, and senior leadership on education law, labor law, employment matters, contracts, procurement, public policy, and governance.
• Review and advise on contracts, policies, regulations, and agreements to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
• Provide legal guidance on ethics, conflicts of interest, and governance best practices.
• Support compliance with open meetings laws, public records requests, and confidentiality obligations under FERPA and HIPAA.
• Conduct legal research and analysis on issues affecting Board governance, school district operations, and state/federal education regulations.
2. Legal Support and Guidance on Administrative Matters
• Employee Discipline and Termination Hearings under Maryland Education Article §6-202 and §4-205.
• Student Discipline and Expulsion Appeals under Education Article §7-305.
• Special Education Compliance and Dispute Resolution under IDEA.
• Labor and Employment Law Matters, including collective bargaining, grievances, and policy compliance.
• School Construction and Procurement Matters, including legal review of bid protests, contracts, and compliance with procurement laws.
3. Legal Support and Guidance for Policy Development
• Advise on drafting, reviewing, and revising Board policies, regulations, and procedures in accordance with state and federal education laws
• Provide legal guidance on new and existing policies to ensure they align with legal requirements and best practices.
• Monitor and advise on changes in state and Federal laws that impact Board policies and procedures.
• Assist the Board in developing policies that promote equity, compliance, and operational efficiency.
4. Contract and Procurement Legal Support
• Provide legal review of procurement contracts, MOUs, lease agreements, and vendor agreements.
• Ensure compliance with Maryland procurement laws, ethics laws, and federal funding requirement.
• Provide guidance on bid protests, contractor disputes, and contract compliance.
5. Risk Management and Crisis Response
• Advise the Board on risk management, liability issues, and legal obligations.
• Provide legal crisis management guidance, including compliance during emergency situations or legal challenges.
• Assist with reviewing legal claims, complaints, and responses to regulatory agencies.
- The Board currently has approximately 132,000 students, 20,000 employees and an annual operating budget of $2.3 billion.
- Contract Period/Term: 1 year
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: May 23, 2025