About the School Team
The School Team of the Tulare County Counsel's Office serves as general legal counsel to the schools of Tulare County. There are 48 school districts in the county, and they vary in size from 50 students to over 26,000 students. We also provide legal services to the Tulare County Office of Education, TCOVE, and to the College of the Sequoias.
The team, with three attorneys and a paralegal, provides a broad range of legal services to local school districts. For example, we advise districts on student matters such as student's rights, dress codes, inter-district attendance, suspensions and expulsions. We advise school boards as to their obligations under the Brown Act and conflict of interest laws, establishment of board policies, and the filling of board vacancies. Our services in regard to personnel matters include helping school districts with hiring, layoffs, employee discipline, dismissals and leaves of absence. The School Team is often asked for legal opinions involving discrimination issues, health issues, school district liability, lawful expenditures of public funds, public records, and political and commercial activity. In addition, we assist districts with business transactions such as the purchase and sale of property, lease-purchase financing, bidding issues, collection and use of developer fees, and the issuance of general obligation bonds.
Many school districts come to the County Counsel's Office for assistance into entering contracts, including leases, employment contracts, consultant agreements and settlement agreements. We also play an important role in school district construction projects, assisting the districts with bidding requirements, architect agreements and construction contracts.
Finally, our team puts a strong emphasis on proactive client education. We seek to keep school administrators well informed of legal developments and requirements through our all-district memos and handbooks, as well as frequent presentations to countywide groups such as the Superintendent's Advisory hosted by the county superintendent. With the help of a full time paralegal, support staff and advanced computer technology, the School Team continually strives to provide timely and reliable legal services to meet the varied needs of its school district clients.
The Team:
The three attorneys on the School Team include Chief Deputy Harold W. Wood, Jr. and deputies Carol L. Laird and Desiree Y. Serrano. The Team includes a full-time paralegal, Erica Boatman. Gary de Malignon, former Chief Deputy, continues to serve on a part-time basis as a Special Assistant to County Counsel.
School Team Mission Statement
The School Team takes pride in providing the schools of Tulare County with reliable and prudent legal assistance, as well as preventive education and advice, in a caring and responsive manner.
VALUES
1. Effective communication
2. Accessibility
3. Thoroughness and accuracy
4. Proactive, preventive approach
5. Efficient use of resources
6. Respect for our clients and co-workers
7. Maximization of the benefits of technology
8. Continual professional growth