Contract Review Committee | April 24, 2026

The West Contra Costa Unified School District held a Contract Review Committee meeting on April 24, 2026, focusing extensively on reviewing and discussing various contracts related to community engagement, special education, and professional services. Key procurement discussions included the reduction of the contract with Clarity Social Research Group by half for the next year, while maintaining the Glen Price Group contract for grant writing at $40,000. The committee debated the balance between outsourcing services and building internal capacity, particularly concerning data analysis, grant writing, and community school support. Special education transportation contracts with First Student Inc. were reviewed, with plans to reduce routes and costs from $14 million to $13 million. The committee also discussed contracts for para-professional staffing services, including those with Zen Educate and ProAre, emphasizing a strategic goal to shift 60% of funding from contracted services to direct district hires to reduce reliance on contractors. Additionally, the committee addressed concerns about contracts with firms owned by private equity, such as ProAre and Sunbelt, and noted a new district policy prohibiting work with certain contractors. Votes were taken to approve contract continuations and budget allocations, with a focus on transparency, cost savings, and building internal district capacity to eventually reduce outsourcing.