Board approves $140,000 community engagement study with Discovery Works to inform district planning

The Northport‑East Northport Board of Education voted Feb. 13 to approve a contract with Discovery Works to conduct a community engagement and planning study intended to inform district strategic decisions. The administration described the work as a multi‑stakeholder outreach, data collection and facilitation effort to support long‑range planning.

The contract amount discussed in the meeting was approximately $140,000. Trustees debated timing and cost in the context of a draft budget that earlier that evening showed a projected deficit of about $1.5 million. One trustee said the expenditure was needed to gather data the district could not assemble internally and praised reference checks showing prior districts relied heavily on the consultant’s community‑engagement process. Another trustee said the timing was difficult given the current budget gap and declined to support the contract.

Business office staff told trustees the expense could be absorbed in the current year because lower health‑insurance costs had freed funds; staff also said the firm was willing to structure billing as a project fee so the district could schedule payments across fiscal years if needed. A staff member recommended encumbering the funds in the current year to avoid worsening next year’s projected deficit.

After discussion, trustees voted in favor of the contract. Board materials and the motion record indicate the item was separated from a consent package for separate consideration, a motion was made and seconded, and the board carried the approval by voice vote. The transcript does not record an itemized roll‑call of individual yes/no votes; the chair announced the motion carried.