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Gilroy Unified approves tutoring and mental‑health contracts as trustees confront high PD absenteeism tied to state PRISM mandate
Summary
The board approved contracts for BookNook, Latera and Pacific Clinics to expand tutoring and behavioral supports, while trustees pressed staff about roughly 94 certificated absences at a mandatory PRISM training and the district’s plan to make up the missed sessions.
Gilroy Unified trustees on Nov. 20 approved three vendor contracts intended to expand tutoring and behavioral supports for students, and held an extended debate over staff absences at a state-mandated PRISM training and how to provide make-up sessions.
The board approved a BookNook contract not to exceed $70,860 for virtual high-intensity tutoring aimed at upper elementary grades and pilot sites, and a Latera Education contract not to exceed $95,868.30 as a companion pilot. Both contracts are structured as pay-for-services and will be evaluated for student outcomes and possible scaling. Trustee discussion emphasized logistics for before/after-school participation, transportation and site selection.
Trustees also approved a Pacific Clinics contract not to exceed $241,200 to provide four halftime wellness coaches assigned to expanded-learning (PowerSchool) programs; Pacific Clinics will assist with behavior data collection to align afterschool supports with school-day MTSS. The board approved renewals of a Kolbe Technologies compliance contract (not to exceed $24,000) and a small parking‑lot modification contract with Kent Construction (not to exceed $34,899).
The consent-item discussion that preceded those votes focused on a makeup session for the PRISM training. District staff explained the PRISM training is a state-required module tied to Education Code and that the state’s online PRISM portal has been unreliable. As a result, the district contracted a one-hour in-person session with a presenter (Vince Pompey) to cover mandatory components. Staff told trustees that roughly 94 certificated staff were absent from the October PD day, and about 42 secondary teachers would still need a makeup session.
"This is an unfunded mandate from the state of California," a senior district staffer said during the meeting, describing PRISM as a multi-year requirement that the district is implementing. Trustees pressed for more data, audits of PD attendance and clarification of consequences and remediation protocols for staff who repeatedly miss required workdays. Staff outlined a "plan C" that would require staff to complete longer online PRISM modules if make-up sessions are not attended.
Trustees asked for a historical report on PD attendance by school level over the last three years and sign-in audits for PD to identify chronic nonattendance at mandatory training. The board approved the contracts and the PD makeup plan, with staff committing to return with attendance analyses and to use site meeting time or early-release days as additional make-up opportunities.
No staff disciplinary actions were announced in open session; trustees said personnel follow-up would be handled administratively where appropriate.
