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Board approves $76,500 Capturing Kids' Hearts contract amid teacher concerns about prior implementation
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Summary
The board approved a contract, not to exceed $76,500, to provide Capturing Kids' Hearts training for three middle schools; trustees raised concerns that the program lacked sustained support the last time it was used and asked for follow-up reporting on implementation and outcomes.
DEL RIO — The San Felipe-Del Rio CISD Board approved a contract not to exceed $76,500 to bring Capturing Kids' Hearts professional development to the district—s three middle schools as part of the middle school redesign implementation. The item was on the consent agenda and was approved as part of the consent package at Monday—s meeting.
Administration described the spending as nine days of training (three full days per campus) with ongoing support sessions included in the program model. Amy Childress said the contract is funded from grant fund 270 (supporting effective instructional, rural and low-income schools).
During discussion, some board members and staff recalled that the district offered the program in about 2016 and said it "fell by the wayside" because teachers and administrators did not receive sustained implementation support. Trustees and staff emphasized that a successful reintroduction requires campus-level commitment and sustained follow-up from administration and the vendor. Doctor Rios said the district—s approach this time focuses on a smaller set of campuses and a guiding coalition: "We want to focus at the middle school... the team from each school has already gone to a free training, in Dallas to make sure that there's a clear understanding, upfront, and that there is a team on each campus that supports it," he said.
Board members asked for implementation follow-up to gauge the program—s effect on discipline, school climate and teacher supports. Doctor Rios and staff agreed to schedule follow-up presentations to the board from campus PBIS teams and teachers to report on outcomes and support needs.
Why it matters: The program aims to shape classroom culture and behavior strategies for early adolescents. Board support for the contract indicates the district is prioritizing a coordinated culture-building effort alongside the middle school reconfiguration.
What—s next: Staff will schedule progress reports from campus teams and the district—s implementation cohort so the board can review outcomes and make decisions about continued vendor support or additional funding.
