Board approves CalEd Partners collaboration and consultant contracts for middle‑school support and advisory work

The board approved two contracts aimed at strengthening middle‑school supports and family engagement. Trustees approved a one‑year contract with California Education Partners for an "on track" collaboration to support Columbia and Sunnyvale Middle Schools; the superintendent said the program offers facilitated collaborative meetings with other districts and may involve designated teacher teams and district leaders.

Trustees asked about teacher time commitments and whether two teachers per grade might participate; the superintendent said the structure is flexible and will be shaped locally. "Some of the options are to identify a group of teachers who would come together on a regular basis and engage in conversations..." he said.

Separately the board approved a consultant contract to convene focus groups and form a Hundos advisory committee, bringing in Dr. Munoz to facilitate community focus groups and then create an advisory committee representative of program families, students and staff. Dr. Munoz (introduced by the superintendent) said focus groups will inform the formation of a broadly representative advisory committee before making actionable recommendations. Both contracts were approved 5–0.