Houston school board approves IT contract, continues sports transportation and reviews elementary staffing

The Houston Public School District board approved an IT services contract with Centimeters Consultants, authorized continued transportation for spring co-op sports to Rushford Peterson, and reviewed elementary class-size and staffing for the coming school year during its regular meeting.

District staff told the board the move to Centimeters Consultants would improve service and save about $1,000 a month on service costs — roughly $12,000 a year — not counting potential device-purchase savings. The board discussed a transition timeline tied to the district's current contract, which expires June 30, and authorized the district to sign the new agreement so vendors can begin price negotiations and transitional work.

Board members also approved continued transportation to Rushford Peterson for spring co-op sports. The board noted the district had already been providing that transportation and cited last year's cost of $2,944.28 for a transport run. The motion to continue transportation carried on an affirmative voice vote.

On staffing, administrators reported the district has about 200 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. School administrator Angela McQuinn said building a PTA was a priority this year and described its early fundraising and organizing successes: “They raised about $800 at their very first fundraiser,” she said. The board reviewed planned class sections and counts presented by administrators: first grade about 20 students; second grade 34; third grade 34; fourth grade 27. Administrators said kindergarten will have two teachers, second and third grades two sections each, and fifth and sixth grades will each have homerooms with shared specialization (for example, designated math or reading staff).

Administrators and board members discussed teacher retirements and staffing shifts. The board acknowledged a retiring teacher, Deb (last name not specified), and noted the district expects to use substitute and paraeducator staffing as needed; a long-term substitute (Riley) recently accepted a position elsewhere. The board said detailed staffing and any high-school course realignments will be considered with districtwide evaluations and planned at upcoming meetings.

Other routine business included approval of the district's first-quarter board pay and announcements about upcoming contract negotiations, transportation-route surveys for families (including a question whether to continue routes for students who turn 16), bids out for food service, and work on a long-term facility and maintenance plan. Several board members urged staff to gather more accurate cost estimates from bids before final budget decisions.

Votes at a glance: - Approve consent agenda: approved (voice vote). - Continue transportation for spring co-op sports to Rushford Peterson (cost cited: $2,944.28 last year): approved (motion carried). - Approve IT services contract with Centimeters Consultants (transition planned around current contract end June 30): approved (motion carried). - Accept policies on second reading: approved (motion carried). - Approve first-quarter board pay: approved (motion carried).

The board did not receive public comment during the meeting's public-comment period. Board members said more detailed staffing placements, budget impacts for device purchases related to the IT contract, and specific route-survey questions will return for later discussion.