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Cypress trustees approve five-year Second Step contract after unanimous pilot recommendation
Summary
After a district pilot and positive teacher feedback, the Cypress School District approved a five-year contract with Committee for Children for the Second Step social-emotional learning curriculum totaling $50,479.20. Board members praised the program's engagement and cost effectiveness.
The Cypress School District Board of Trustees approved a five-year contract to license the Second Step social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum after staff presented pilot results showing strong teacher support.
At a June 13 presentation, Cassie Hanley, who led the pilot, said teachers who tested Second Step and the district's incumbent program, Paths, "were full steam ahead" for Second Step and that "there was an enthusiastic, unanimous decision for Second Step." Hanley described Second Step as a primarily digital program with a 20- to 30-minute teacher-led lesson followed by non-screen activities and classroom conversations used to reinforce concepts.
Tandi Taylor, executive director of educational services, said the district will use grant funds to purchase eight classroom books tied to SEL units and will provide professional development for K'0 teachers in August so all teachers can implement the curriculum in the coming year.
Action and costs: At action item 3 the board approved a contract with Committee for Children for Second Step SEL licenses at a total cost of $50,479.20 for the period 06/30/2024 to 06/30/2029. The motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Board context and rationale: Trustees noted that Paths is an older, largely paper-based program and that Second Step's digital updates and a sixth-grade module (which Paths lacks) were important factors. Trustee Sondy praised the program as "very cost effective" and expressed enthusiasm for the five-year term.
Implementation details reported by staff include a single weekly whole-class lesson with follow-up activities through the week (buddy activities, class challenges, personal goal-setting) and supports for tier 2 interventions. Staff said materials purchased with grant funds are intended to complement instructional units and not to cover ongoing salary expenses.
What happens next: Staff said professional development will be held in August and teachers will receive classroom copies of the supporting literature. The contract and associated implementation steps were approved for the district to begin training and roll-out over the 2024-25 school year.
