The Duval County School Board agreed to hire an in-house legal counsel Tuesday.
The board approved the $150,000 annual salary position with a 6-1 vote. By the same vote, it then hired General Counsel attorney Karen Chastain. Board member Tommy Hazouri voted “no” both times.
Chastain has been working with the district for about a decade while she was employed by the General Counsel’s Office.
Hazouri said outgoing Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals’ decision to hire Chastain forces the new superintendent to have a position that he may or may not want. He also said the district shouldn’t create new positions as the district battles budget woes.
Pratt-Dannals said it’s an opportunity for the district and the system to get a third more of Chastain’s attention by her working for the district.
He said hiring Chastain saves the district money, about $27,000 the first year.
Chastain’s current salary is $165,000 a year.
Pratt-Dannals said Chastain already is familiar with the district, its potential litigation and other legal issues involving the school system. He said every superintendent would want in-house counsel.
The job will allow the district to vet issues earlier and faster, he said, particularly regarding contracts.
Miami-Dade has 12 full-time attorneys and Pinellas, which is smaller than Duval, has three full-time attorneys, he said.
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