Board approves $48,400 contract for student-centered coaching for teacher leaders

The Sioux City Community School District board voted unanimously on Sept. 8 to approve a contract with Diane Sweeney Consulting to provide student-centered coaching training for teacher leaders. Contract details and purpose: Jared Mosier presented the proposal, explaining the one-year contract ($48,400) would train about 40 teacher leaders and several instructional coaches. The district intends to use the year of training to develop internal capacity so local staff can continue the model after the contract year. Why the district chose this model: Mosier said staff reviewed multiple coaching models—Jim Knight, Pete Hall, Diane Sweeney and Elena Aguilar—and teacher leaders voted to pursue the Diane Sweeney model because it aligned with the district instructional framework. Mosier described the training as intended to give coaches a shared set of strategies and an approach for adult-to-adult coaching focused on student data and instructional improvement. Board action: The motion to approve the agreement passed 6-0. No citizen input was recorded on this item. Next steps: The contract will be executed and training scheduled with teacher leaders and instructional coaches; district staff indicated the one-year program is intended to lead to an internal trainer pipeline. Ending: The board moved on to other agenda items after approving the contract.