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Board amends RFA language amid fairness concerns; approves CalTeach tutors and tables Bobcat summer academy
Summary
Trustees debated whether some after‑school proposals were prioritized; the board removed the word 'sole' from vendor‑rejection language, added an appeals/resubmission process, approved an 18‑month UC Merced CalTeach tutoring contract, and tabled the Bobcat Summer Academy renewal to Feb. 10 to allow a fair RFA window.
A lengthy board discussion centered on fairness and transparency in the district’s request‑for‑applications (RFA) and contracting process. Trustee McCutcheon moved to remove item 9m from consent for reconsideration, arguing that the district had accepted some applications while asking others to wait. She said, “I don't think we should be accepting some application and not others.”
Trustees debated contract vetting procedures and language that previously allowed the district to be the “sole judge” in rejecting proposals. Trustees asked for an appeal and resubmission process so proposers denied for being incomplete, false or unresponsive would have a window to resubmit. Director Alexander and staff agreed to add an “Appeal Process” section and to remove the word “sole” from the referenced paragraph. The board also instructed staff to provide a list of proposals that were rejected so trustees could monitor transparency.
On specific contracts: Director Aaron Alexander presented two UC Merced contracts. Trustees approved an 18‑month CalTeach tutoring contract (about $374,790) on the grounds that the university students recruited to staff the program would lose the opportunity if approval were delayed. The Bobcat Summer Academy renewal (contract value up to $263,640) was tabled to Feb. 10 so other vendors would have an opportunity to submit applications when the RFA window opens.
Outcome: The RFA was amended to remove language making the district the sole judge of proposals and to add an appeals/resubmission process; CalTeach was approved (4–0, 1 absent); Bobcat Summer Academy was tabled to Feb. 10 to align with the announced RFA window.
