Laredo ISD board approves $200,000 consulting-services renewal after trustees press for itemized costs

The Laredo Independent School District Board of Trustees voted Aug. 15 to renew RFP 23-27 for consulting services with an estimated expenditure of $200,000, following a sustained discussion over what trustees called an insufficiently itemized purchase.

Trustee Dr. Gilberto Martinez questioned the value and asked for an itemized breakdown of what the $200,000 would cover, saying, “It doesn't look like it's worth $200,000 to me.” Executive Director Jose Cerda responded that the funding covers multiple consultants, year‑round professional development, workbooks, materials and one‑to‑one teacher support tied to curriculum alignment, and named Sandra Garza and other consultants who work directly with teachers and deans.

Monique Garcia moved to approve the renewal after the administration described the scope, which the district said includes in‑person training, curriculum alignment, consumable workbooks and extended instructional hours for teachers and targeted student interventions. The motion passed by voice vote with one trustee recorded as opposed.

Supporters said the contracts underwrite broad, district‑wide alignment work that accompanies statewide test-item analysis and pacing; critics said the board should receive a line‑item accounting before future renewals. Superintendent Dr. Sylvia Rios acknowledged the request and said administration will provide a more detailed breakdown moving forward.

Next steps: the contract renewal was approved for the 2024–25 school year; trustees asked staff to supply a vendor and line‑item cost breakdown in future committee materials.