Board approves contracts to support Korean dual language program after questions on cost and oversight

The Anaheim Elementary School District board voted to approve three consultant contracts to support its Korean dual language immersion (DLI) program after trustees asked for details about scope, duplication of services and oversight.

Trustee Ryan Relis pulled consent items B4–B6 for discussion; the items were described in the agenda as not-to-exceed amounts of $88,400, $114,400 and $114,400 (combined $317,200) for curriculum development and related services. Superintendent Jesus Chavarria and multilingual staff explained the contracts cover complementary roles: a consultant to develop Korean language development curriculum and interactive videos, a professor to develop comprehension questions and unit materials tied to texts, and a videographer/producer to create resources. District staff stressed the listed amounts are contractual caps and include hourly rates; for example, curriculum professors are listed at $110 per hour and videography at $80 per hour in contract exhibits.

Board members asked how the district will avoid duplicative work, how the materials will be assessed for grade‑level appropriateness, and how the district is aligning the elementary Korean pathway with the Anaheim Union High School District. Superintendent Chavarria said district curriculum specialists and the multilingual team will work directly with the consultants and with Anaheim Union representatives; a meeting between the feeder high school district and Jefferson families was scheduled for the following week to discuss transition options.

Staff also said consultants have been used in prior years and the work will include teacher professional development and pilot phases; any unused not-to-exceed monies will not automatically be spent. The board voted to approve the consent items after the discussion.