Real Estate Transactions & Leasing

We represent school districts in a full range of real estate matters, whether acquiring land for a capital project, leasing space for a program expansion, or disposing of unused property. Our services include:

• Purchase and sale agreements

• Lease and license agreements

• Easements, access, and right-of-way issues

• Surplus property disposition (Education Law §403-a)

• Title review and coordination with counsel to the district’s insurer

School Construction & Capital Projects

From referendum to ribbon-cutting, we advise districts on all legal aspects of capital improvements and construction, ensuring full compliance with state and local laws. We guide clients through:

• SEQRA compliance and SED project approval

• Architect and construction manager contracts

• Bidding and procurement under General Municipal Law

• Prevailing wage and Wicks Law requirements

• Change orders, delays, and claims management

• Project closeout and final payment procedures

Public Procurement, Purchasing & Bidding

Purchasing goods and services with public funds requires careful compliance with the General Municipal Law and other applicable statutes. We assist districts in structuring procurements and vendor relationships to protect the integrity of the process and avoid costly disputes. We advise on:

​

•  Competitive bidding and RFP processes

• Piggybacking and cooperative purchasing arrangements

• Vendor protests and bid challenges

• Conflicts of interest and ethics compliance

• Sole source determinations and professional service exemptions

• Contract drafting and performance enforcement

Tax Certiorari & Assessment Challenges

Tax certiorari proceedings can have major financial implications for school districts. We represent districts directly or collaborate with municipal counsel to defend against unjustified tax reductions and to mitigate financial risk. Our legal team assists with:

• Review of tax certiorari petitions and settlement strategy

• Coordination with district assessors and financial consultants

• Impact analysis on PILOT agreements and school tax levies

• Negotiation and defense of valuation claims

• Planning for refund exposure and reserve funding compliance

Vendor & Service Contracts

We help school districts structure vendor contracts that protect public funds, define clear performance standards, and reflect the practical needs of school operations. We draft and negotiate:

• Transportation, food service, and facilities contracts

• Technology services agreements (including Ed Law §2-d compliance)

• Cooperative agreements with other districts or BOCES

• MOUs with municipalities and community partners

• Maintenance, security, and custodial service agreements