Lehighton Area School District has decided to hold off on sending out a request for proposals for new legal counsel and will instead attempt to renegotiate its existing contract with Fox Rothschild LLC.

“Right now, the board is attempting to negotiate changes to the scope of services provided by Fox Rothschild, possibly including reduced fees and attendance by legal representatives at board meetings,” Acting Superintendent Jack Corby said during Monday night’s board meeting.

This comes after the board authorized Assistant Superintendent Mary Figura in July to begin a request for proposal (RFP) process that could have led to the hiring of a new solicitor.

Board President Jeremy Glaush said Monday there was no official board vote to change course, but instead a consensus was developed outside of a public meeting to negotiate with Fox Rothschild.

“This was an agreement between board members and nobody has opposed it so far as far as I’m aware,” Glaush said.

Fox Rothschild, which charges a blended rate of $250 per hour for base services and $300 per hour for special services, replaced the local firm Filer & Schwab in 2021. In comparison, Filer & Schwab charged $165 per hour for attorney services and $75 per hour for paralegal assistance at meetings.

While the board has agreed to attempt renegotiation, the RFP process remains on the table, Glaush said, if the discussions do not produce satisfactory results.

“I have already made it clear to the board that I can have the solicitor here in October, for the workshop even, and if the board still wants an RFP to take place, the board will get its RFP,” he added.