Board approves Community High School garden contract despite trustee concerns over cost

The board approved a contract to continue a garden‑based instructional partnership at Community High School with Me Earth (Me Earth organization) on Sept. 4, but several trustees questioned the hourly and per‑visit rates and sought clearer written curricula and shorter‑term options.

Principal Greg O’Meara and other staff described the relationship as a 2½‑year collaboration that goes beyond a single weekly visit by a contractor. Presenters said Me Earth has provided on‑site planning, hosted district site visits, advised on vocational pathways, added social‑emotional programming and worked with staff on outreach and student engagement. Staff said these broader supports — including pre‑site planning and on‑site programming, occasional field visits to Me Earth, and curriculum coordination — are part of the value that the contractor brings.

Trustee Wax pulled the item from consent to ask for specifics: how many staff members will deliver the program, whether a written curriculum will be provided to high school teachers and what the first visit date is. Principal O’Meara said the contract funds one instructor for up to 14 visits and that the contractor has been responsive to district requests to lower the cost for a spring‑semester package. He also said the site has been severely damaged by storms and that facilities work has been required to restore the garden space.

After limited public comment supporting the program, trustees approved the contract 4‑0. During discussion, trustees asked staff to pursue potential grant or alternative funding sources, to present a clearer scope of curriculum and deliverables before any future renewals and to consider bringing a lower‑cost spring‑semester option back to the board if available.