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Greendale board previews multi-year EduClimber (Renaissance) contract; data privacy and pricing questions raised
Summary
The board discussed bringing a Renaissance (EduClimber/FastBridge) multi-year contract (just over $100,000) back for approval on May 19; members asked about updates, pricing, enrollment assumptions and student data security.
Board members were briefed on a proposed multi-year purchasing arrangement with Renaissance—including EduClimber (data visualization/dashboard) and FastBridge (universal screener)—and staff said the contract amount would be just over $100,000, so the item will be brought back for formal approval at the May 19 meeting.
Maggie (Speaker 4), who will represent the district for the May 19 vote, described EduClimber's role as the district's dashboard to visualize progress on district priorities and monitor interventions; FastBridge is used K–10 as a universal screener. She said the district has full implementation across all five schools and that subscription updates (including additions to support the reading bill, Act 20) are included in the proposed multi-year price.
Board members asked whether updates are included (Maggie: yes), whether the vendor is Wisconsin-based (Maggie: no; Renaissance is national and acquired EduClimber), and whether per-student license rates had been 'right sized' for declining enrollment. Maggie and Jonathan said staff attempted to right-size counts and can renegotiate license counts if enrollment or the Greendale Global Academy program (expected to enroll fewer than 15 students) changes.
Kathy (Speaker 10) raised student privacy and security concerns. Maggie and Speaker 2 said the district's privacy lead, Ryan Jonas, vets vendors, the vendor signs confidentiality commitments and compliance checks (the presentation referenced CIPA), and some popular third-party applications have been barred because they did not meet privacy standards.
Staff said the vendor offered a three-year lock at the proposed rate with a 3% annual increase; a longer lock would require additional negotiation. The board did not approve the contract at this meeting and will revisit the item on May 19.
Next steps: The district will return the EduClimber/Renaissance contract for a formal vote on May 19 with Maggie representing the administration, and staff will continue negotiations on term length, enrollment counts and data-security assurances.
