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TUSD approves temporary special-education staffing contract amid districtwide vacancies, trustees demand review within a year
Summary
Facing a shortage of special-education teachers and aides, the board approved a one-year RFP-based contract for third-party temporary staffing (up to $850,000 this year, $4.25M potential over five years) with a stipulation to return within a year for reconsideration; trustees expressed concern about outsourcing and cost.
The Tucson Unified School District governing board voted unanimously to approve a district RFP that would allow third-party vendors to supply temporary special-education staff (paraprofessionals and licensed special-education teachers) to fill urgent vacancies.
Director for Federal Programs Tina Stevens and Superintendent Trujillo explained the procurement: the district sought vendors meeting ESSA evidence requirements for certain grants and built a higher-dollar request because grant awards are competitive and uncertain. The proposal drew sustained, detailed questioning from Trustee Sedgwick and others after the item was pulled from consent for discussion.
Trustees expressed two core concerns: the decision appeared broader than an initial presentation had suggested (the RFP includes options to provide licensed special-education teachers as well as paraprofessionals) and the potential size of the multi-year procurement. Supporters argued the contract is intended as temporary assistance to ensure students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) receive timely support at the start of the school year while sites continue to post and hire permanent staff.
Trustee Sedgwick and others asked staff to present the item in greater detail and to return the contract to the board for reconsideration within a year if conditions change; the motion the board approved included a stipulation that the item come back within a year for review and possible reconsideration. Superintendent Trujillo and trustees characterized the procurement as a response to a statewide staffing shortage and said they would continue to pursue longer-term recruitment and compensation solutions.
The board approved the procurement motion as recommended by staff and voted the item passed unanimously; board members said the board retains statutory authority to cancel or revise the contract at the end of the first year.
