The School Committee was billed more than $442,660 by the Westwood law firm of Valerio, Dominello & Hillman from January through November, with $152,286 of that representing costs related to Unit A teacher contract talks and an 11-day strike.
The School Committee also spent $12,625 on a public relations firm in the final weeks of the standoff, according to an invoice from Slowey McManus Communications of Boston.
The Current filed a public records request, asking to see all legal costs related to teacher contract negotiations and strike. In its response, the district pointed out that the $152,286 figure only covers costs for Unit A teacher negotiations and does not include costs related to the other four bargaining units, including paraprofessionals, custodians, etc. It redacted (blacked out) all other expenses.
The Current has since asked for details about those costs as well.
In September, the Current reported that the Marblehead Public School district’s central administration spent $334,734 on legal counsel in fiscal year 2024 (which ended last June 30), more than three times the $105,000 it budgeted, according to the town of Marblehead’s ClearGov portal.
Breaking down costs
The legal bills include multiple fees, approximately $3,000 each, for mediation sessions with the Marblehead Education Association. One example: a Nov. 13 charge of $3,445 for a negotiating session and follow-up meeting with the School Committee bargaining team.
In November, the School Committee was billed more than $6,000 to fight a court injunction filed by parents asking that students be able to play sports during the strike.
Invoices over 11 months also include more than $2,500 in mileage and toll reimbursements.
School Committee Chair Jenn Schaeffner and MEA Co-president Jonathan Heller did not respond to requests for comment.
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.
