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Lamar CISD approves vendor pool for Innovative School Day program
Summary
The Lamar CISD board approved awarding multiple vendor contracts under a new RFP to support the districtInnovative School Day program, a districtwide effort to expand campus-led, hands-on learning while giving teachers scheduled collaborative planning time. The motion passed 6-0.
The Lamar Consolidated Independent School District board on March 17 approved administration's recommendation to award multiple vendor contracts under a district RFP to support Innovative School Day programming, a campus-led initiative that gives teachers protected collaborative planning time while offering students hands-on enrichment.
District staff described ISD as a rotating program of theme-based tracks (red, blue, maroon, silver, gold, purple and green) that deliver experiences ranging from culinary labs and financial literacy to hydroponics and career exploration. A staff presenter explained the RFP aimed to create "a pool of qualified partners that campuses can engage," listing procurement steps (advertised in January, pre-proposal meeting, mid-February evaluations) and stressing safety and post-event reporting requirements. The presentation noted that each campus also received an additional $13,350 this school year for ISD activities.
Trustees asked how principals and campuses would access the vetted vendors; staff said the district will post a hub (mentioned as a Canvas hub) where principals can view approved partners and share campus feedback. A motion to authorize the award of multiple vendor contracts under the RFP was made by Trustee Box, seconded by Trustee Welch, and carried 6-0.
Board members who spoke praised the program's potential to support teacher retention and provide students with career-oriented experiences, while some trustees raised concerns about equitable implementation across different campus sizes and oversight of third-party presenters to avoid marketing to students. Administration said vendors must meet compliance and background-check requirements and that principals will select vendors from the approved list to align with campus goals.
The board vote authorizes administration to finalize contracts with vendors selected through the completed evaluation process. Staff said post-implementation reporting will be used to refine the program and a district hub will promote shared resources and principal feedback.
