Committee approves RFP to hire consultant for redistricting, start‑time and transportation analysis

The school committee on June 3 approved a draft request‑for‑proposals to secure a neutral, third‑party consultant to assist the district’s redistricting, school start‑times and transportation analysis. The RFP asks bidders to provide demographic/enrollment analysis, boundary‑scenario development, operational modeling for school start times and a transportation route efficiency study.

Committee members emphasized that the advisory committee should remain engaged and that the consultant would act as a facilitator and technical resource, not a replacement for community input. The RFP requires proposers to describe a methodology, deliverable schedule and stakeholder engagement plan; respondents will be asked to provide a timeline and cost estimate. The administration noted it does not expect a new demographic study; firms should rely primarily on existing enrollment projections and GIS datasets the district already uses.

Timing: administrators proposed a kickoff by late September and asked respondents to propose schedules that would allow advisory review and public engagement before the 2026‑27 school year if changes are recommended. Committee members asked that the RFP explicitly reference the district’s redistricting policy so respondents understand the committee’s policy expectations.

Committee members were split on timing but supported distributing the RFP quickly to give the district time to evaluate proposals and engage a consultant for summer/fall work. The committee directed administration to finalize the RFP language, include a required methodology and timeline, and return the final RFP for posting.