Swampscott schools seeking new lawyers

SWAMPSCOTT – Swampscott school administrators are shopping for new legal counsel.In their meeting Tuesday, the School Committee interviewed one possible candidate, Elizabeth Valerio of Deutsch/Williams, a Boston-based firm specializing in school legal issues. The committee also discussed interviewing firm Kopelman and Paige, the town?s legal counsel.Currently, the school system has Quincy-based firm Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane for legal advice.?We?re looking at what our options are. It?s just exploratory,” said School Committee Chairman Rick Kraft.Valerio said she would use her expertise in school legal issues to help Swampscott accomplish its goals in moving forward as a district through collective bargaining.?I believe in a good relationship with unions,” said Valerio in her interview. Later she said Swampscott had “treated employees fairly, at least in contracts I?ve reviewed.”Valerio toted her experience working on collective bargaining for the Boston Public Schools as well as her firm?s work in Marblehead and other local towns on labor negotiations, student discipline issues, bullying and discrimination cases and advising superintendents how to do a proper in-school investigation.Valerio said she billed clients at an hourly pay-as-you-go rate, with no cost of a retainer, though she said she and others in her firm provided school superintendents with cell phones so they can always be reached.?I?ve paid legal counsel bills, I know what it?s like,” said Valerio, who sat on the Wrentham School Committee. “We don?t require contracts. We work at the pleasure of the school committee.Valerio also mentioned that she used to be an English teacher.?You have that teacher thing about you,” said committee member Marianne Hartmann.At the conclusion of her interview, Kraft said the committee would follow up with Valerio?s clients in other districts.