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Board tables amendment to add 24/7 anonymous reporting and counseling service to Navigate contract
Summary
The board tabled a proposed amendment to an existing Navigate contract to add an anonymous reporting system and 24/7 licensed‑counselor telephonic support; staff said the amendment would cost about $20,000 and asked to consult the district attorney in executive session before returning the item.
The Kyrene governing board voted 5–0 on April 8 to table action on an amendment to an existing RFP contract with Navigate to add a districtwide anonymous reporting system and 24/7 licensed‑counselor telephonic support.
Damien Nichols, Kyrene executive director of information technology and school safety, described the addition as a way to close a gap in after‑hours reporting and crisis response. Nichols said the tool would allow students, parents and community members to submit anonymous reports via school websites, text message, phone call or email and that, if a student called for help, they could “get help by a licensed counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on holidays and weekends.” Nichols said the system would notify district staff so they could follow up during business hours and that the district had selected the vendor after an RFP with stakeholders across schools, counseling, safety and IT.
Board members asked procedural questions: Member Bunny Davis requested legal advice in executive session about the contract before a vote. Nichols clarified to the board that this is an amendment to an existing contract and procurement said the district would add the piece to the current RFP rather than open a new contract. Nichols noted the amendment amount as about $20,000 to add the anonymous reporting component.
Member Davis made a motion to table the item; the motion was seconded and passed unanimous voice vote. The board directed staff to schedule legal review and to return the item to a future meeting after the requested legal advice and additional information were provided.
Why it matters: An anonymous district reporting channel with after‑hours licensed‑counselor access can provide immediate crisis support and a way for students or community members to report bullying or threats when district staff are not on site. Board members said they wanted attorney review of the contract terms before approving the amendment.
