Lyon County School District prepares to hire a lawyer

Dealing with district policies and contracts is a legal matter, so members of the Lyon County School District are hiring a lawyer.

The trustees voted to advertise for an attorney earlier this month to help them prepare contracts and policies and to be available at meetings.

Trustee Charles Shirley said other school boards have an attorney available to offer opinions during meetings.

Interested attorneys have until 4 p.m. Feb. 4 to submit qualifications and a letter of interest to the board. Interviews will be Feb. 19 and the appointment will be made at the regular board meeting Feb. 26.

The district put together a request for proposals that demands, in addition to advising on policies and contracts, any attorney be familiar with NRS chapters dealing with school districts, open meeting laws, purchasing and bids and budget laws.

Workplace issues are also something the new attorney will have to be familiar with, including being able to advise on sexual harassment and other discrimination issues, including compliance issues involving the Americans with Disabilities Act.

He or she will have to be familiar with labor contracts and board-union relations as well, and be available in cases where pending litigation is involved.

In the past the board has utilized the Reno firm of Walter Key Maupin Oats Cox and LeGroy.