Catawba County Schools approves three‑year ParentSquare contract after attorney negotiates changes

The Catawba County Board of Education unanimously approved a three‑year contract with ParentSquare that bundles the district’s two‑way parent communication system and a SmartSites website product, board presenters said at a public meeting.

The contract, as approved, begins a bundled year‑one cost (including SmartSites and ParentSquare/StudentSquare) estimated at about $63,652 and includes a one‑time SmartSites onboarding fee of $5,400 and a prorated first payment of about $4,600. District presenters said the bundle represents roughly $35,000 in projected savings over three years compared with purchasing the services separately.

The contract drew detailed review from Crystal Davis, the board’s legal counsel, who walked members through proposed edits and concessions reached with ParentSquare before asking the board to authorize execution. Davis told the board she had the company attach and label the agreement’s linked terms as exhibits, get the vendor to define “standard support,” and commit to specific data‑handling and notice…