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Board extends Mazzi Education contract to June 2025 to support federal funding oversight; vote 4–1
Summary
The School City of East Chicago board voted to extend Mazzi Education's contract through June 30, 2025, to assist with ESSER federal funds, federal projects and to train the district’s new federal projects director. Trustee Gomez cast the lone no vote.
Trustee Rodriguez moved and Trustee Smith seconded a motion to extend the district’s contract with Mazzi Education through June 30, 2025, to provide federal‑project support and training for district staff; the board approved the extension on a roll‑call vote, 4–1.
Trustee Rodriguez, who made the motion, and Trustee Smith, who seconded it, described Mazzi’s recent work helping the district with ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) fund compliance, training and maximizing allowable federal uses. A district presenter said Mazzi has assisted the district's federal projects department with spending decisions and the onboarding of a new school improvement/federal projects director whom Mazzi will train over the contract period.
Trustee Gomez said she opposed the extension, raising concern that the district was "throwing money on top of money" and arguing that the skills Mazzi is providing should already exist within district staff. "I have reservations on what, to me, seems like throwing money on top of money," Gomez said.
Attorney Harris noted a contract drafting issue: paragraph 15, governing law, referenced Johnson County but other sections referenced Lake County and the dispute‑resolution paragraph named Lake County. He asked that the governing‑law reference be corrected to Lake County before finalization.
Roll call results read by the board secretary were: Trustee Lisonbee King — yes; Trustee Gomez — no; Trustee Smith — yes; Trustee Rodriguez — yes; Chairman Archiega — yes. The motion passed 4–1.
The approved extension is described in the meeting packet as a one‑year continuation to June 2025 with both an implementation/project fee and an hourly rate; the packet indicates Mazzi will transition knowledge to district staff so the district can manage federal funding in future years. The board did not provide additional contract dollar totals or change the paragraph‑15 governing‑law reference on the record; the attorney requested the Lake County correction be made in the final contract document.
