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Bryan ISD delays vote on comprehensive demographic study amid cost and timing concerns
Summary
Trustees postponed action on a proposed Population and Survey Analysts (PASA) contract for a comprehensive demographic study (contract figures discussed around $50,000–$56,000). Trustees asked administration to negotiate price and consider timing given large numbers of housing permits and potential voucher legislation.
The Bryan ISD Board of Trustees deferred a decision on contracting with Population and Survey Analysts (PASA) for a comprehensive demographic study, asking administration to seek negotiated changes and bring the item back at the next meeting.
Kevin Besaw, assistant superintendent for business services, described the proposal as a full PASA study — not a light update — intended to inform the district’s strategic planning and master facilities process. Besaw said PASA has worked with the district previously and that a full study typically takes roughly four months from start to final deliverable, with PASA staff expected to present methodology to the board in February and return with a final report around April or May.
Trustees asked several procedural and budget questions: whether PASA could do a narrower update instead of a full costly study, what meetings were included in the contract, and whether the firm would adjust the final work if large external events (for example, major development projects or possible state-level voucher legislation) change enrollment patterns. One trustee said the district had “like 8 or 900 building permits” in recent filings, a point raised to underline urgency; trustees also discussed uncertainty about whether proposed vouchers would pass and how quickly that would affect district planning.
Board members and staff noted PASA’s local presence and prior accuracy in projections as reasons to favor the firm — staff said the company has geocoded students and can incorporate housing and census data to project enrollment. However trustees expressed concern about the price (figures around $50,000 and $56,000 were referenced in the discussion) and whether the district should negotiate scope or timing. Trustees asked administration to seek assurances that PASA would provide reasonable updates if major changes occur after the study.
Trustee Stasney moved to place the PASA contract decision on the agenda for the next meeting to allow administration time to negotiate terms; the chair indicated no strong objections and the item was moved to the next meeting for further action. The transcript does not record a formal recorded roll-call vote on the postponement.
