RFP 27-001 - Legal Services

Vision
We strive to cultivate an educational foundation that empowers students to realize their
full potential, thrive as productive global citizens, ignite positive change, and create a more just
and equitable world.
DATE: September 22, 2026
TO: All Offerors
FROM: Dr. Lonita S. Broome - Chief Financial Officer
RE: Request for Proposal No. 27-001 - Legal Services
City Schools of Decatur (CSD) invites qualified attorneys and law firms to submit proposals to provide
comprehensive legal services to the District. CSD intends to establish a flexible legal-services
arrangement that supports the Board of Education and the District's administrative operations. CSD may
award to one or multiple firms, including separate counsel for Board services and District operational
legal services.
Proposals shall be sealed, marked with the Offeror's name and address, and labeled "RFP 27-001 - Legal
Services," and delivered to:
City Schools of Decatur
Elizabeth Wilson School Support Center
Attention: Dr. Lonita S. Broome - Chief Financial Officer
125 Electric Avenue
Decatur, Georgia 30030
Proposals must be received no later than 1:30 p.m. local time (as per the Purchasing Department time
clock) on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered. A
postmark or delivery to a commercial carrier does not constitute receipt by CSD.
A non-mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference will be held at the address above on Tuesday, September 29,
2026 at 10:30 a.m. EDT. Questions regarding this RFP must be submitted in writing no later than 12:00
noon EDT on Friday, October 2, 2026, to lbroome@csdecatur.net. CSD anticipates issuing responses and
any addenda on Friday, October 9, 2026.
The written requirements of this RFP may be changed only by a written addendum issued by CSD. CSD
reserves the rights stated in this RFP, including the right to reject proposals, waive informalities where
permitted, and make award(s) in the best interest of the District.
Dr. Carmen Sulton Hans Utz Tracey Anderson James Herndon Lorraine Irier Zoe Smith
Chair Vice Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member Student Representative
125 Electric Avenue Decatur, Georgia 30030 404-371-3601 www.csdecatur.net

SOLICITATION NO. 27-001
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
FOR
LEGAL SERVICES
CITY SCHOOLS OF DECATUR - PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
ELIZABETH WILSON CENTER
125 ELECTRIC AVENUE
DECATUR, GEORGIA 30030
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page No.
Section I - Introduction & District Background 4
Section II - Scope of Legal Services 5
Section III - Proposal Requirements and Response Format 10
Section IV - Pricing Proposal 14
Section V - Solicitation Calendar and Submission Instructions 15
Section VI - Evaluation and Award 16
Section VII - General Terms and Conditions 17
Section VIII - Contract/Post-Award Requirements 29
Appendix A - Coversheet for Proposed Categories 46
Appendix B - Pricing Proposal Template 47
Appendix C - Georgia Immigration and Security Forms 48
Appendix D - Subcontractor Affidavit & Agreement 51
Appendix E - Offeror's Exceptions 53
Appendix F - Offeror's Modifications 54
Appendix G - Acknowledgment of Addenda 55
Appendix H - Reference Survey Form 56
Appendix I - Debarment and Suspension 57
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Section I - Introduction & District Background
A. Purpose
City Schools of Decatur is soliciting proposals from qualified attorneys and law firms
experienced in representing Georgia public school districts and other governmental entities. The
selected counsel will provide responsive, practical, and cost-effective legal advice and
representation across the areas identified in this RFP.
B. Background
CSD is an independent public school district created by the State of Georgia General Assembly
through the Charter of the City of Decatur. The District serves students residing within the City
of Decatur and operates schools and administrative facilities in support of its educational
mission.
CSD serves approximately 5,300 students and operates one high school, one middle school, five
lower elementary schools, two upper elementary schools, and an Early Childhood Learning
Center Program. The District employs approximately 900 full and part-time employees,
including approximately 443 teachers.
As a public school district and political subdivision of the State of Georgia, CSD operates within
a complex legal and regulatory environment governed by applicable federal and state laws,
regulations, State Board of Education rules, local Board of Education policies, contractual
obligations, and other requirements applicable to Georgia public School systems. Accordingly,
the District requires qualified legal counsel capable of providing timely, practical, and
comprehensive legal services across the range of matters associated with the governance and
operation of a public school district.
Legal needs arise across Board governance, school law, student services, human resources,
procurement and contracts, real estate, construction and capital projects, risk management,
transportation, school health, public records, litigation and other operational areas. CSD seeks
counsel with demonstrated knowledge of Georgia law and federal requirements applicable to
K-12 public education and charter systems.
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C. Award Structure
CSD intends to establish two distinct categories of legal services under this solicitation: (1)
Board of Education Legal Counsel and (2) District/Administrative Legal Counsel. Offerors may
submit a proposal for either category or both categories. CSD reserves the right to award each
category to a different firm, award both categories to one firm when legally and ethically
appropriate, make multiple awards, or make no award in a category when determined to be in the
best interests of the District. A designated administrative evaluation committee will evaluate all
responsive proposals, including proposals for Board of Education Legal Counsel and
District/Administrative Legal Counsel. Final contract award(s) remain subject to applicable CSD
approval requirements. Firms proposing for both categories must disclose potential conflicts and
explain how actual or potential conflicts between the Board and District administration would be
addressed consistent with applicable professional-responsibility requirements.
Section II - Scope of Legal Services
All services must comply with applicable federal, State of Georgia, and local laws and
regulations. The successful offeror(s) shall provide legal services as requested by CSD, including
but not limited to the areas below. The listing is illustrative and does not limit CSD's ability to
request additional legal services for other areas, not referenced below, during the contract term.
General Services / School Law
Georgia Charter System Law
IDEA and Section 504
Student discipline and student rights
Open Records Act requests
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and education-record requests
Titles I, III, VI, IX, and other applicable federal requirements
Subpoenas and police, state, and federal warrants
E-SPLOST matters
Media-relations responses and risk-management communications
Advice on rules and procedural changes
Review of documents and handbooks distributed to the public
Other legal services requested by CSD
Special Education and Student Services
Ensure compliance with IDEA and Section 504
Support all aspects of special education and Section 504, including records review,
consultations, draft communications, complaints, and due-process matters
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Attend IEP- and 504-related meetings, including preparatory meetings when parents are
represented by counsel
Provide training on IDEA and Section 504 compliance
Draft or review service contracts
Draft and process responses to official complaints, including Due Process Hearing
Requests, State Formal Complaints, and Office of Civil Rights Complaints
Labor and Employment Matters
Consult with and support staff regarding employee/HR grievances, terminations, teacher
certification issues, and related notices and responses
Consult with and support staff regarding EEOC, Title VII, and other employment
complaints
Draft or review employee contracts
Policy and Legislation
Support drafting, reviewing, and updating Board policies for alignment with state and
federal laws, rules, and regulations
Monitor pending and emerging legislation and advise CSD regarding potential impacts
on district policies and practices
Student Rights and Civil Rights
Review and advise on student discipline matters and represent the District in related
litigation and appeals, including appeals to the Board
Attend student discipline hearings on behalf of CSD when parents are represented by
counsel.
Provide training on student discipline, searches, jurisdiction, student codes of conduct,
and related matters
Support Title IX and Title VI compliance, including coordinator, investigator,
decision-maker, or informal-resolution services when requested
Advise on student privacy (FERPA), free speech, dress codes, and other student-rights
issues
Business, Contracts, and Procurement
Provide knowledge of contract law applicable to governmental entities and K-12 public
school districts
Review, advise on, revise, and redline initial and renewal contracts
Negotiate and draft vendor agreements, construction contracts, intergovernmental
agreements, and memoranda of understanding
Advise on E-rate and public-bidding compliance
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Real Estate and Property
Handle and advise on property acquisition, zoning, easements, property transfers, leases,
and construction disputes
Litigation and Hearings
Provide representation for litigation and hearings in the service areas identified in this
RFP and other matters impacting the District at local, state, and federal courts and
administrative proceedings
Other Administrative Legal Services
Review and advise on legal notices received by the District or schools, including custody
documents, warrants, subpoenas, claims, grievances, cease-and-desist notices, citations,
and audits
Prepare legal notices that may need to be filed
Prepare legal memoranda for staff as needed
Develop and/or provide administrative legal training, including Code of Conduct, Title
IX, and other legal matters
Support enrollment, admissions, and residency matters, including residency
documentation, paid tuition, courtesy tuition, and residency investigations
Review procedure manuals for compliance with local, state, and federal requirements
Research and advise on legal questions from any District department
Advise on safety and security matters, including trespassing and memoranda of
understanding
Risk Management & Claims
Advise on risk-management strategies to minimize legal exposure and operational
liability
Review insurance coverage, policy interpretation, and claims administration
Assist with investigation and resolution of liability claims involving students, employees,
visitors, contractors, and District property
Provide guidance regarding tort claims, premises liability, negligence, and governmental
immunity
Coordinate with insurance carriers, third-party administrators, and claims representatives
Review incident reports and accident investigations involving facilities, transportation,
athletics, and special events
Provide counsel regarding workers' compensation matters in coordination with Human
Resources and the District's administrator
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Review risk-transfer provisions, indemnification, hold-harmless provisions, and
insurance requirements in contracts
Provide legal support related to emergency management, crisis response, business
continuity, and disaster recovery
Advise on school safety, emergency operations, threat assessments, and coordination with
public-safety agencies
Assist with OSHA, workplace-safety, and applicable health-and-safety compliance
Advise on property damage, construction defects, environmental hazards, and insurance
recovery
Assist with litigation avoidance, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution
Provide representation for claims, administrative proceedings, mediation, arbitration, and
litigation as requested
Facilities , Maintenance, Construction & Capital Projects
Provide legal counsel throughout all phases of capital improvement and construction
projects
Draft, review, negotiate, and interpret construction contracts, professional-services
agreements, architectural and engineering agreements, construction-management
agreements, and design-build contracts
Review ITBs, RFPs, RFQs, and related procurement processes for legal compliance
Advise on Georgia procurement law, public-bidding requirements, and applicable federal
procurement requirements
Assist with bid protests, procurement disputes, and contract-award challenges
Review and negotiate change orders, amendments, contract modifications, and closeout
documentation
Advise on construction claims, delays, differing site conditions, scheduling disputes,
liquidated damages, and warranty enforcement
Review performance bonds, payment bonds, retainage, and contractor-default issues
Advise on mechanics' liens, payment disputes, and construction-related claims
Advise on environmental compliance, hazardous materials, asbestos, lead-based paint,
underground storage tanks, storm water, erosion control, and related requirements
Advise on ADA compliance, accessibility, and facility-related regulatory obligations
Assist with real-estate transactions, including acquisitions, easements, rights-of-way,
licenses, leases, transfers, and surplus-property disposition
Draft and negotiate facility-use agreements, shared-use agreements, intergovernmental
agreements, licenses, and leases
Provide legal support for utility agreements, telecommunications easements, and
infrastructure projects
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Advise on zoning, land use, permitting, and development issues affecting District
property
Support SPLOST-funded capital projects and statutory compliance associated with capital
expenditures
Provide guidance during planning, construction administration, closeout, and warranty
periods
Represent CSD in disputes involving contractors, architects, engineers, consultants,
vendors, and construction professionals
Assist with mediation, arbitration, or litigation of construction disputes, as appropriate
Provide legal counsel regarding routine facilities and maintenance operations, including
emergency repairs, building closures, inspections, code compliance, accessibility, facility
use, environmental conditions, and workplace-safety matters.
Draft, review, and advise on operational service contracts, including custodial, HVAC,
landscaping, maintenance, temporary staffing, equipment service, and other outsourced
operational services.
Advise on vendor performance, defaults, cure notices, contract renewals, terminations,
emergency procurements, warranty enforcement, and operational contract disputes.
Advise on OSHA compliance, hazardous communications, chemical handling, workplace
hazards, employee safety, and other regulatory requirements affecting Facilities and
Maintenance operations.
Pupil Transportation Services
Provide legal counsel and representation regarding student transportation operations and
compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and standards
Advise on Georgia Department of Education pupil transportation requirements, State
Board rules, and applicable FMCSA requirements
Advise on CDL requirements, driver qualifications, medical certifications, entry-level
driver training, disqualifications, and DOT compliance
Advise on federal DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements
Review transportation policies, procedures, driver handbooks, parent guidelines, and
operating manuals
Advise on transportation eligibility, bus-stop assignments, hazardous walking conditions,
appeals, and accommodations
Advise on transportation provisions in IEPs, Section 504 Plans, McKinney-Vento, and
other applicable requirements
Provide counsel regarding bus accidents, vehicle incidents, injury claims, investigations,
evidence preservation, surveillance video, witness statements, and litigation preparedness
Coordinate with Risk Management, insurers, claims administrators, and law enforcement
as appropriate
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Advise on student behavior on buses, driver authority, surveillance, transportation
suspensions, searches, and safety
Draft, review, and negotiate transportation-related contracts and agreements
Advise on public-records requests involving transportation records while ensuring
FERPA and other privacy compliance
Advise on transportation emergency response, evacuations, crisis management, security,
reunification, and public-safety coordination
Provide legal training and periodic updates to Transportation administrators
School Health Services
Review healthcare staffing agency contracts and memoranda of understanding
Develop and review district health policies and procedures for compliance with federal
and Georgia law, including medication administration procedures and applicable Georgia
requirements
Advise on school safety and emergency preparedness
Review cardiac emergency response plans and protocols and issues involving stock
emergency medications, including epinephrine and naloxone
Advise on scope-of-practice and delegation questions under the Georgia Nurse Practice
Act, including responsibilities of unlicensed assistive personnel
Provide presentations and training on legal issues affecting school health, including
HIPAA versus FERPA, documentation standards, and liability
School Nutrition Services
Advise on federal and state requirements applicable to school nutrition programs,
including USDA, Georgia Department of Education, National School Lunch Program,
School Breakfast Program, and other applicable child nutrition programs.
Advise on procurement, food-service contracts, vendor agreements, food safety,
sanitation, and regulatory compliance.
Advise on meal eligibility, confidentiality, meal accommodations, food allergies,
civil-rights requirements, and related student matters.
Provide legal support regarding audits, investigations, claims, vendor disputes, and
corrective actions involving School Nutrition Services.
Review policies, procedures, contracts, and operating practices affecting School
Nutrition Services.
Athletics and Extracurricular Activities
Advise on legal and regulatory matters affecting interscholastic athletics and
extracurricular programs, including GHSA requirements and Title IX.
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