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Trustees discuss $93,213 paid to consulting firm for strategic planning and advocacy; staff to reevaluate services
Summary
Board members questioned $93,213.45 in district payments to consulting firm Moe & Casey (hired through a cooperative contract) for advocacy, strategic planning and legislative work; administrators said the firm has provided long-term support and that services will be reevaluated during upcoming budget workshops.
A United ISD trustee flagged $93,213.45 in fiscal-year-to-date payments to the consulting firm Moe & Casey during a consent-item discussion Thursday, prompting staff to explain the work the firm has done and say the district will reassess future needs.
"We've spent $93,000, $93,213 with 45¢," Trustee Ana Martinez said during the meeting while requesting discussion of the disbursement line item. Martinez questioned why outside consultants were providing strategic planning when the district already has a cabinet team.
A district administrator responded that Moe & Casey were retained through a cooperative purchasing contract and have provided a menu of services including strategic planning, community stakeholder outreach, forecasting of pending legislation, and advocacy. Staff said the firm helped convene parent and community sessions, led SWOT analyses, assisted in forecasting the effect of House Bill 2 proposals, and provided legislative updates during the session.
Administrators said the firm has worked with the district for about 12 years and brings former superintendents and statewide perspective. Still, staff told trustees they were already reevaluating the extent of services the firm provides "as the session is almost over" and that the district’s advocacy needs may decline.
Trustees and administrators agreed to revisit the item during upcoming budget workshops; staff said the reevaluation will consider whether the district can reduce outside spending as in-house capacity matures. The consent agenda passing later in the meeting included approval of the disbursement items.
