Harlingen CISD finance staff proposed moving the district’s facility-rental process to an online platform called PracticePlan to streamline reservations, billing and custodial/security scheduling.

"This would be a nice way for them to go and have, like, a one-stop shop where they can take a look at what our calendar looks like," Finance presenter Ida Ambriz told trustees. She said the district’s current process is largely manual — paper forms, phone calls and emails — and staff estimate an online booking platform would reduce administrative overhead and allow renters to view available facilities after business hours.

Ambriz said district controls would remain in place: the district would send PracticePlan a list of facilities to display and would retain first priority for district events. She said renters would still be required to provide required paperwork such as certificates of insurance; PracticePlan charges a convenience fee to renters rather than billing the district.

Staff stressed that additional due diligence will be conducted, including vendor references and user feedback, and that no platform selection or contract was executed at the committee meeting.