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Trustees press staff on software licensing, usage and alignment with district goals
Summary
Trustees asked how the district evaluates software usage and whether licenses are duplicative; staff said senior leaders have reviewed contracts and usage metrics, will tie purchases to five‑year goals, and will consult teachers about classroom utility.
Trustee Leverage asked how the district currently evaluates software purchases and whether the district could tighten processes to avoid redundant or excessive licensing. "What's our process right now for evaluating usage of software?" the trustee asked, seeking ways to maximize licenses and align spending with outcomes.
Mr. Brace replied that senior staff had been "scrubbing" contracts and usage data to distinguish what is needed from what is wanted. He said staff are reviewing usage metrics (for example, Tableau analytics) to identify duplicate services and to align software with the district’s five‑year goals. "We really just try to work towards what is absolutely needed versus what is wanted," Mr. Brace said.
Trustees also requested that teachers be consulted on software preferences and classroom utility, with a trustee noting that usage metrics are only one measure of value. Mr. Brace agreed to include teacher feedback as part of the evaluation. Trustees clarified that approvals for purchases depend on available budget authority; staff reiterated that authorizations permit spending up to an amount but actual expenditures require budgeted funds to be available.
No purchases were approved at the committee meeting; trustees directed staff to continue their review and to return with any items trustees flag for fuller briefing before the regular board meeting.
