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Bradley County Schools previews FinalSite website and app proposal; contract review scheduled
Summary
Staff presented a recommendation to move the district’s website and communications platform to FinalSite, a vendor that would provide an integrated website, branded app, multilingual translation and an AI assistant. The board did not vote; the contract is under legal review and a special called meeting may be scheduled.
Bradley County Schools staff presented a proposal to adopt FinalSite as the district’s website and communications platform, saying the product would add an integrated mobile app, multilingual translation and an AI-driven assistant for users. The board did not take final action; staff said the contract is still under legal review and a special called meeting will be scheduled if Scott Bennett, the district’s counsel, clears the contract.
Why it matters: The change would consolidate current communications tools (district website, messaging/One-Call, social media) into one platform that syncs with the student information system, adds push notifications to a branded app, and offers translation and an AI assistant for searching district content. Staff said the vendor’s features would allow single-message distribution to website, app, SMS and social media channels.
Key details from the presentation
- Vendor and features: FinalSite proposed a “flex” (template-based) site with an option to transition to a custom build later, integrated mobile app (iOS and Android), five quick-translation languages, and an AI assistant that pulls answers directly from the district’s site content.
- Timeline: Staff requested a July 1 front-facing site launch to match the end of the current provider contract (June 30). The app was expected to follow and could launch mid-July or by Aug. 1. Because of the timeline, staff said a special called meeting may be needed to approve the contract once legal review is complete.
- Costs and contract terms: Staff said the vendor’s quoted annual cost is approximately $69,000 with a $23,000 one-time setup fee to be paid from the current year budget. Staff compared that to the district’s current combined website/messaging costs of about $38,000; staff noted the comparison is not apples-to-apples because the current provider does not offer an integrated app and other features.
- Procurement and oversight: The presenter said a district committee reviewed three vendors and recommended FinalSite. The committee included human resources, school nutrition, technology staff and other administrators; principals and instructional coaches previewed the platform. Staff indicated they will present the contract for legal review and asked the board to be prepared for a special called meeting before April 1 to give 90 days’ notice to current vendors if the board elects to proceed.
Quotes
An unnamed district communications presenter said the platform’s AI feature "would take you directly to the spot on our website" when parents ask questions online.
Dr. Linda Cash, the district director of schools, noted the tight timeline and said staff would seek board approval in a special meeting if necessary.
Next steps: Legal counsel (Scott Bennett) is reviewing the contract. Staff requested board members review materials in the meeting packet and expect to bring the contract back to the board for a special called meeting before April 1 if the legal review is completed in time.
