SCHOOL BOARD TO USE OUTSIDE ATTORNEYS, BUT ONE FAMILIAR NAME

It appears the Board of Education has chosen to contract with an outside firm to provide regular legal services at board meetings after more than 10 years of in-house counsel.

But with a familiar name.

Philip Stern left the district at the end of August after a decade of serving as the full-time board attorney. His last salary was $152,000 per year.

But he is apparently set to return - as a member of the firm being appointed on Monday to provide legal services. A resolution set for approval at the next board meeting would appoint Stern, who is now with the firm of DiFrancesco, Bateman, Kunzman, Davis Lehrer & Flaum of Warren to provide legal services for the 2016-2017 school year at a rate of $160 per hour.

The firm is headed by former Gov. Donald DiFrancesco, who had run for governor in 2001 and was forced to withdraw after reports of past questionable business dealings and ethical violations, including during his time as a township attorney in Scotch Plains.

Another resolution would also appoint Sidney Sayovitz of Schenck, Price, Smith and King of Florham Park for the same rate. That firm has already been under retainer to help with the Township's Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) issues.

See the resolutions HERE.