Outside Attorney Firm Does The Work For Conway Schools Chief Legal Officer At Taxpayer Expense
Mar 12, 2026
You ever hear people talking about someone having a “Cush Job” ?
Well, “Cush Job” accurately describes the position of Chief Legal Officer at the Conway School District.
Let me explain.
For years the District used Bequette, Billingsley & Kees (BB&K) law firm for all its legal needs.
On April 12th, 2023, I published a story exposing Jay Bequette, partner at BB&K, for withholding records and misrepresenting the District in a legal matter….the smile kinda says it all.
That led to the School Board creating the position of Chief Legal Officer to handle the legal needs of the District so that outside counsel, BB&K, would no longer be needed.
On September 14th, 2023, attorney Shastady Wagner accepted the newly created position of Chief Legal Officer at the District with a salary of $110,000.00 per school year along with travel pay.
Mission accomplished right ?……Well not so fast.
Recent controversial events in the District have highlighted their continued heavy use of BB&K for legal services.
Those events showed that Jay Bequette again had withheld information, this time from the Board, and in a most shocking fashion lied to them about it at the February 10th School Board meeting.
On February 26th I published an article detailing the events which led me to start an investigation into what services BB&K has provided the District since Wagner was hired.
Through the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, I obtained all Invoices from BB&K since Wagner was hired through January 31st of this year.
I did a deep analysis of those Invoices that produced stunning numbers.
But before I reveal them, let me provide you with some important context.
The Job Description for Chief Legal Officer at the District details that the position will handle most, if not all, of the District’s legal needs.
Needs such as Litigation, Hearings, Contracts, Bids, Administrative Procedures, Compliance, FOIA and General legal needs just to name a few.
Dr. David Naylor, whose term ended this week on the Board, stated that when the position was created, he asked then Superintendent Jeff Cullum if that meant they would be done using BB&K ?….He stated Cullom replied yes.
At the time, then Board member Bill Milburn ( now deceased ) stated to me that the District would no longer use BB&K and would rely on the new position created for all legal needs.
Records show that never became reality….Not even close.
Are you ready ?
The Invoice analysis showed that BB&K has sent the District 73 Invoices between August 31st, 2023, and January 31st of this year.
Not gonna use BB&K again huh ?
25 Invoices for General Legal Services, 25 for Due Process and Special Education cases and 23 for Litigation cases.
Those Invoices contained a total of 1,036 itemized charges to the District….1,036.
Those charges consisted of –
Review Documents / Revisions / Drafts – 541
Correspondence / Emails – 307
Telephone Conferences – 134
Hearings / Meetings – 44
Filings – 10
I told you the numbers were stunning.
Example Invoice
My question now is just what the Hell does Wagner do around there ?
Or maybe I should ask what all she doesn’t do ?
I mean did I misread the Job Description ?
At the last Tuesday night’s Board meeting President Sheila Franklinn stated – “I do believe Shasta is doing an amazing job.”
Really ?….At what ?….Being dishonest ?….Hiding records from the Board ?
All of which has been documented.
Those Invoices total $123,510.43.
That money could be spent on reading in the District where only 41% of the students read at grade level….Instead it’s going straight in BB&K’s pocket.
But it’s all about the kids….Right Sheila ?
#FactsNotFiction
Professional Bully Fighter I investigate and report on issues around the State of Arkansas with an emphasis on Government. I am strong conservative however I bring Truth and Facts regardless of Party affiliation….My hashtag is #FactsNotFiction
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