Santa Maria‑Bonita board approves billing, coaching and software contracts and extends senior administrators’ contracts

The Santa Maria‑Bonita School District board on July 23 approved a package of contracts and personnel actions, including a Medi‑Cal billing renewal, a co‑teaching coaching contract, a sole‑source agreement for an assessment/data platform, a construction change order, and extensions of top administrative contracts.

Contracts and procurement

The board approved a contract renewal with Paradigm Healthcare Services to continue providing the district’s Medi‑Cal billing and student health network billing platform. Presenter Dr. Palmerston told the board the district has used the platform for four years and described its role in recouping reimbursements that offset district costs. "The estimated costs are dollars 110,000," the presenter said. Board members asked how the expense compares to reimbursements; staff said consolidating billing work and hiring a temporary grant‑funded billing specialist has noticeably increased recoveries.

The board also approved a contract with Catherine Wilson/Thinking in Common to expand co‑teaching coaching cycles to three additional junior high schools and Jimenez for grades 7–8. The presenter said the work grew out of parent and staff feedback and a pilot at El Camino; the contract includes in‑person observations, follow‑up coaching cycles, and virtual professional development in fall and spring. Board member Miss Cordero requested a midyear status update and a list of participating sites once teams are established.

A sole‑source authorization was approved to continue using Curriculum Associates’ Elevation platform. Dr. Castillo Schipper described two years of use, saying the software has helped streamline reclassification and compliance and shared usage metrics: more than 2,000 reports generated, nearly 3,000 EL activities accessed, and more than 11,000 logins district‑wide. Board members asked for demonstrations and for staff to correlate platform usage with student outcome metrics.

Precon Industries: The board considered a change order (change order number 15) for Precon Industries on the Battles Elementary School new TKK building and site upgrades (bid #5384). Miss Cordero pointed out a typo on the agenda indicating the contract sum was "decreased" when the backup materials show an added cost; Matt Beecher confirmed the contract will operate as an increase and staff said paperwork will be corrected. The amended consent item was approved.

Personnel and salary disclosures

The board extended Superintendent Dr. Terry McDuffie’s contract, moving the term to 06/30/2029 and disclosing placement at range 3, step 8 with a salary of $316,311.11 effective 07/01/2026. The board also extended the deputy superintendent for business services (Matt Beecher) to 06/30/2029, disclosing placement at range 2, step 15 with a salary of $268,466 and an anniversary increment of $8,053.98.

The assistant superintendent of educational services (transcript spelling: Lo Chung Vu) received an extension to 06/30/2029 and placement to range 2, step 11 with a salary of $234,090 effective 07/01/2026. The assistant superintendent of human resources (Dr. Peter Bland) received an extension to 06/30/2029 with placement at range 3, step 7 and a salary of $214,630 effective 07/01/2026. Board members approved all contract extensions by roll call (all ayes).

Votes at a glance

- Change order #15 (Precon Industries, Battles Elementary, bid #5384): approved (consent as amended) — roll call: unanimous aye. - Paradigm Healthcare Services renewal (Medi‑Cal billing): approved — roll call: unanimous aye. - Thinking in Common contract (co‑teaching coaching): approved — roll call: unanimous aye. - Sole‑source agreement with Curriculum Associates (Elevation): approved — roll call: unanimous aye. - Resolution 23‑25‑35 (compensating board members for qualifying absences): approved — roll call: unanimous aye. - Superintendent contract extension to 06/30/2029, salary $316,311.11: approved — roll call: unanimous aye. - Deputy superintendent extension to 06/30/2029, salary $268,466 (+$8,053.98 increment): approved — roll call: unanimous aye. - Assistant superintendent educational services extension to 06/30/2029, salary $234,090: approved — roll call: unanimous aye. - Assistant superintendent human resources extension to 06/30/2029, salary $214,630: approved — roll call: unanimous aye.

Why it matters: The contracts affect district operations (student health billing, instructional coaching, assessment and reclassification workflows, and building projects). The personnel decisions disclose senior‑leadership compensation and extend terms for administrators who manage district programs and operations.

What’s next: Board members requested demonstrations and midyear updates for the Elevation platform and the Thinking in Common coaching rollout; staff agreed to provide follow‑up materials and site lists. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 12, 2026 at 6 p.m.

Direct quotes

"The estimated costs are dollars 110,000," — Dr. Palmerston on the Paradigm Healthcare renewal.

"We've had more than 11,000 logins for the whole district," — Dr. Castillo Schipper on the Elevation platform’s usage metrics.

"We'll make sure that is corrected and it's reflected on the formal paperwork," — staff responding to the typo on the Precon Industries change order figure.

The meeting adjourned at 07:23.