Board tables $84,550 Capturing Kids Heart agreement after questions about scope, cost and implementation

The Chickasha Public School District board discussed but did not approve a proposed service agreement with Capturing Kids Heart, a training vendor. Staff described a standard service agreement totaling $84,550 and said the district intends to purchase a two-day implementation visit rather than the full suite of services.

Staff said the program includes a two-day training and implementation visit. "This is their standard agreement," a staff presenter said, noting the district planned a two-day event for August and would not be signing up for the vendor's entire product catalogue.

Board concerns: Several board members pressed staff on cost-effectiveness, the number of participants covered by the implementation visit (materials reference "up to 30 participants"), whether trained staff could cascade training to other sites, and how the program differs from the behavior specialist services the district already contracts for. One board member cited negative online reviews they had found, asking whether staff had checked those sources. Another asked which budget "bucket" would pay for the item and whether it would replace or supplement existing professional development.

Staff response and plan: Staff said the proposed August visit could work with two sites and that certified staff would be part of the session; they also said they had spoken to other districts using the program and received positive verbal feedback. Staff recommended more information and a plan for follow-up implementation and monitoring to assess whether trained staff would disseminate practices to other buildings.

Board action: A motion to table the item to the February meeting passed so staff can provide additional details on budget source, participant breakdown, measures of effectiveness, and whether the district will repurpose existing professional-development funds. The board did not approve the service agreement at the meeting.