Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Professional Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
College Station ISD board approves $236,861.80 purchase for Solution Tree professional development
Summary
College Station ISD trustees approved a $236,861.80 purchase of professional development services from Solution Tree, funded with federal Title II dollars, continuing a multi-year district initiative on PLC, RTI and behavior supports.
College Station Independent School District trustees voted 7-0 Oct. 21 to approve a $236,861.80 purchase of professional development services from Solution Tree, using Title II federal funds.
The purchase, described at board meeting item J1, will fund on-site coaching, academy-style trainings and virtual resources tied to the district’s multi-year professional learning community (PLC) work, response-to-intervention (RTI) training and a districtwide behavior framework, presenter Mr. Mann said.
The vote matters to the district because the work continues a strategic-plan initiative first launched in 2021 and expanded with Solution Tree partnerships beginning in 2023, Mann told trustees. "The power of being able to bring in someone that is well versed in this work as a consultant is they're gonna be that mirror that we need to really help us see where we need to get better," Mann said.
Trustees and staff outlined why the district selected Solution Tree, noting the vendor’s established PLC model, availability of Texas-based associates and a multi-cohort rollout that trained principals, guiding coalitions and instructional coaches across campuses. Mann walked trustees through a timeline from initial contacts in 2023 through summer institutes, campus coaching and plans for 2025–26 RTI and behavior implementation.
Board members asked how the purchase was funded and whether it displaces other operating needs. Mann said most Solution Tree spending since 2002 has come from federal sources: "97% of it has come from federal funds," he said, and pointed to Title II as the primary funding source for the current purchase. Trustees confirmed Title II is restricted for professional development and is not fungible with general operating expenses.
During the presentation Mann also provided a breakdown of prior Solution Tree expenditures by funding code, explained the district’s cohort approach to training, and described the district’s plan to taper consultant reliance as campus staff internalize the practices. Trustees asked for continuing measurement of student outcomes and staff buy-in; Mann and others said they will monitor academic results and consider targeted ongoing support where needed.
Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda (items G, I1, J2–J7; J1 pulled earlier for separate discussion): motion to approve carried 7-0 (raised-hand/voice vote recorded by president). The consent vote was called and recorded during the meeting.
- Purchase of Solution Tree professional development services (J1): motion by Dr. Darren Payne, second by Kristen Wilson; outcome approved 7-0.
The purchase continues a suite of trainings already underway in CSISD, including PLC at Work academies, instructional coach development, behavior solutions and a "Beyond Labels" mindset training that staff said emphasizes individual student strengths. Mann said on-site coaching and consultant visits will remain part of the plan for the coming school year to support campus implementation.
