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Advisory committee explores data partners; Brown graduate project and RFP for consultant discussed
Summary
North Kingstown advisory members discussed using Brown University graduate students for analytic work, pursuing a professional consultant via RFP, and procurement and confidentiality steps required before outside parties can access student data.
Committee members and staff discussed options for outside analytic support to model redistricting scenarios and requested clarity on procurement and data-sharing requirements.
What was proposed: Staff described two avenues: (1) a potential practicum or summer project where Brown University graduate students in a data-science program could work with district data under confidentiality agreements, and (2) hiring a professional consulting vendor through the school district’s formal RFP (request for proposals) procurement process.
Procurement and data access: Staff said any contracted consultant would require following district procurement policies (an RFP and vendor selection). For the Brown graduate-student option, staff said confidentiality agreements and clear project scopes would be required; they described a professor-run practicum where two to three graduate students could work over the summer and present fall proposals, provided the appropriate agreements and approvals were in place.
Budget and timeline: Committee members noted FY26 budget constraints and said the FY26 budget is nearly finalized, limiting immediate new expenses. The superintendent and staff indicated they would explore possible grant funding and internal fund balance to cover consultant costs and would bring options to the school committee. The chairs volunteered to draft guiding questions and a timeline; the committee agreed to seek a June school committee agenda item for consideration of an RFP for professional services.
Why it matters: Members said external analytics could increase analytic rigor and public trust if the scope and questions are clear. At the same time, some committee members warned that data can be analyzed in different ways and asked for safeguards and transparency in scope, questions and deliverables.
Next steps - Staff will investigate confidentiality procedures and what approvals are needed to provide district data to Brown graduate students for a practicum project. - Chairs will draft proposed scope/questions that would appear in an RFP, and staff will prepare a June school committee agenda item to consider issuing an RFP for professional consulting services. - Committee asked staff to explore grant opportunities and possible fund-balance use for consultant work.
