Yarbrough declined comment after he stepped outside the closed session meeting as commissioners apparently continued their deliberations.

In the open session later, Yarbrough made it clear what his mission would be in the lawsuit. “My intention is to try this matter in the court,” he told the board.

He encouraged the public in attendance to read the court filings and follow the case in court. “I'm not engaging in any political discussions.”

Yarbrough has worked with the county in the past, board Chairman Vernon Bryant said.

Yarbrough is with the firm Yarbrough Winters & Neville, and has, according to its website, experience in land condemnation, local government, administrative law, civil litigation, real estate law, construction law and personal injury.

Commissioner Rives Manning made the motion to have Yarbrough “proceed on this lawsuit.”

County Manager Tony Brown said during in a break in the meeting the county has a budget of $12,000 in its legal fund.

He said right now there is no estimation on how much it will cost the county to fight the lawsuit, which challenges the three separate school systems in the county — Halifax County, Roanoke Rapids and Weldon.

Brown said it will be up to Yarbrough to decide on what strategies to take on the matter. “We have to address the complaint. It's been filed. We just can't ignore it. How we address it will be up to him.”

Bryant said during the break Yarbrough will be paid $350 an hour. “We're looking forward to him leading us.”

The lawsuit maintains the three school districts in the county obstructs students from securing the opportunity to receive a sound, basic education. It also asks the court to conclude the same maintenance of three districts denies at-risk students that opportunity and asks the court to develop and implement a plan to remedy the perceived Constitutional violations of the current configuration.