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Board debates hiring Civic Solutions Group for district strategic plan; some trustees call for RFP
Summary
Trustees discussed a $45,000-plus contract with Civic Solutions Group to lead a new strategic plan. Some trustees urged a competitive RFP and broader community representation in the consultant—s scope; district leaders said trustees will be engaged and an outside facilitator is appropriate given timing and staff bandwidth.
The Teaneck Board of Education on Feb. 5 debated whether to retain Civic Solutions Group to lead a new, district strategic plan and whether the contract should instead be put out for competitive proposals.
Dr. Spencer, superintendent, told trustees the district—s previous strategic plan expired in 2024 and a new plan is needed to set long-range goals and to inform facilities and potential referendum planning. "Trustees are involved in the strategic planning process," he said, adding that outside facilitation brings skills and capacity staff do not have time to provide.
Trustee Jennifer (surname not provided in transcript) and others asked why the district selected Civic Solutions Group without first issuing a request for proposals. "It might be a nice thing for us to see and compare rather than just be given a choice of one," she said, recommending a 30-day RFP to increase transparency and to compare vendors.
Trustee Dr. Kirschenbaum and other trustees urged clarity on how the consultant will define and include "community" in the outreach plan. "They don't define what community is," Kirschenbaum said, referring to the Civic Solutions Group scope that lists focus groups of principals, teachers, parent leaders, board members and students. Dr. Spencer said the firm will collect data from internal and external stakeholders through surveys, focus groups and interviews.
Nut graf: The discussion centered on three questions: whether to seek competitive bids, how broadly to define and reach community stakeholders, and whether superintendent discretion to select a vendor is appropriate given time and staff limits. Trustees did not immediately vote on the contract during the workshop but signaled differing views about procurement and community outreach.
Supporters of using Civic Solutions Group argued the firm brings specialized experience and that trustees will be engaged in vision-setting. Several trustees said they did not oppose an outside consultant and that superintendent discretion can be appropriate for professional services. Concerns focused on the contract language: one trustee asked that the scope explicitly state that outreach must include internal and external community stakeholders and that the firm demonstrate experience with districts demographically similar to Teaneck.
Ending: Superintendent Dr. Spencer said trustees will get additional information and that the board will address the procurement route. Several trustees requested that if the board advances the engagement, the contract be revised to clarify community representation in data collection and trustee participation in key milestones.
