Two public speakers raised concerns about district contracts and program transparency during the Aug. 13 Pomona Unified School District Board of Education meeting, urging trustees to provide clearer cost-per-student details and evaluation metrics for outside vendors.

Mireya Escobar, identified as president of the district's DAC (District Advisory Council), told the board that item 7.22 on the agenda lists $426,240 but "does not include a cost per student nor the number of students served." She asked the board to ensure contracts include measurable outcomes and quality controls.

Escobar said she is concerned that some contracts approved in June, July and August provide only high-level descriptions and do not disclose tutor qualifications, selection protocols, or evaluations. She told trustees that the district appears to be investing "more than $8,000,000 in tutoring and mentoring" that she said is not reflected in the California School Dashboard rating.

Claudia Cano, introducing herself as a "concerned former parent," accused the board uring public comment of reappointing the superintendent despite what she characterized as poor performance; she also raised potential conflicts of interest involving nonprofit and for-profit providers receiving district funds. Cano asked how to request 20 minutes from the board to present additional concerns.

Board members responded that staff will provide reports and program documentation. Trustee Dr. Perlman thanked Escobar for bringing the concerns and said the district asks such questions before contract approval. Dr. Perlman noted staff are preparing reports: "If you're wondering what these programs are doing, go to PUSD's website, get the information because we ask those questions before we approve these contracts," she said.

The consent calendar containing multiple contracts passed 5-0 after trustees approved a motion to adopt the consent items. One certificated personnel item (4.03, pool number 45) was pulled for separate consideration and passed with a 4-1 tally (four in favor, one abstention).

Speakers urged the board to require vendor evaluations, per-student cost reporting, and clearer public documentation of results. Escobar requested assurances that the district is not duplicating services that district staff already provide and that vendor instructors are appropriately credentialed for high-school and AP-level tutoring.

Trustees and staff pointed to upcoming reports on program efficacy; the superintendent and trustees said those reports will be posted and that staff review expected outcomes when contracts are considered. No board action was taken during the meeting specifically to change contract review processes; the contracts on the agenda were addressed through the consent calendar vote.