Bryan ISD board approves Connections Education contract to launch Bryan Virtual Academy and expands transfer policy

Bryan Independent School District trustees voted to approve a contract with Connections Education LLC and to amend board policy FDA(local) to allow district consideration of one‑year, tuition‑free out‑of‑district transfers for select programs, including a new Bryan Virtual Academy.

The board heard a multipart presentation from Associate Superintendent Dr. Barbara Ybarra and staff outlining the program model, academic readiness thresholds and vendor selection. Ybarra told trustees the recommended partner, Connections Education LLC, “provides Texas‑specific coursework and Texas‑certified teachers” and that staff used sandbox accounts to evaluate the student, parent and teacher experience before making the recommendation.

Staff said the district plans a phased rollout. In year one the district estimates a per‑student district commitment of roughly $2,800–$2,900; staff noted that state attendance funding tied to students who log in can be substantially higher (about $6,215 per year when full attendance is recorded). Ybarra told the board that, without a contract, the district could serve about 15 students under existing purchasing rules and that a contract is required to expand beyond that capacity.

Dr. Christina Richardson and other instructional leaders described academic and family expectations for participation: a district‑provided Chromebook, reliable high‑speed Internet, daily engagement, mandatory state testing at district sites, progress monitoring and a tiered support system. Laura King and CTE staff explained hybrid options for hands‑on courses—welding, automotive and other lab‑based pathways would require on‑campus participation for skills instruction.

Board members probed equity, academic integrity and logistics. One trustee flagged vendor ownership ties to Pearson and asked about research and references; Ybarra and colleagues said the district vetted multiple providers, cited a large implementation of the partner in Houston (Connections Academy) and described planned district oversight in year one, including benchmarks and required on‑site testing for state assessments.

The board also voted to amend FDA(local) to permit nonresident students to apply to specified Bryan ISD programs after resident students are placed, on a one‑year tuition‑free basis. The list included Bryan Collegiate High School, Rudder High School’s AP Capstone, Bryan High School’s International Baccalaureate program (if space allows), the Explorer Academy at Ross Elementary, and the Bryan Virtual Academy. Trustees emphasized that transfers would be contingent on space and district priorities.

The motions to approve the Connections Education contract and the FDA(local) policy update carried on voice votes recorded as “aye.” The district’s next steps include finalizing the contract language on the board agenda, launching informational sessions for families and posting enrollment FAQs on the district website.

The decision sets in motion enrollment, contracting and communications steps intended to allow Bryan ISD to offer virtual options alongside in‑person and hybrid pathways for students.