Austin ISD board approves mental-health services RFP funded by Proposition A as part of consent agenda

The Austin ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve a set of consent-agenda items on Oct. 30, including agenda item 10.1, the district’s mental-health services request for proposals (RFP). Multiple in-person and recorded callers urged the board to approve the RFP, saying expanded timely access to mental-health supports would reduce crises, improve attendance and help students learn.

Leah Kelly, speaking in person, thanked the district for pursuing community partnerships and said the commitment to spend Proposition A funds ‘‘provides much needed transparency and is an important step to reestablishing trust.’’ Recorded callers including Belinda Montgomery, Sharon Vane, Richard Kelly and Amy Garrett called in to support the mental-health RFP, each saying the services are urgently needed and that approving the recommendation will help schools respond early and keep students learning.

During discussion on the consent agenda, trustees noted the mental-health contract is intended to supplement — not supplant — existing services funded by Proposition A. Board members said the allocation approach will vary year to year based on services and needs; the long-term intent is to continue investing Prop A dollars in student supports, but exact allocations may change with future budgets.

Why it matters: The RFP directs voter-approved Prop A funds toward contracted mental-health supports in schools, which community members and trustees said is intended to expand, rather than replace, existing services. Voter-directed allocations and contracted services affect how mental-health access is delivered across campuses.

Next steps: The contract approved by the consent agenda will proceed according to its procurement timeline; trustees asked administration to report on how services are implemented and their impact as part of ongoing monitoring.