Torrance Unified ratifies ThoughtExchange contract amid teacher questions about employee inclusion

Trustees ratified a contract with the engagement platform ThoughtExchange after a public exchange about whether the district’s employees would be included in the vendor’s surveys.

Deborah Tabush, president of the Torrance Teachers Association, asked the board to confirm that TUSD employees would be treated as "key partners" in the listening process rather than only surveying families and community members. She said that employee voice is essential to diagnosing problems that affect recruitment, retention and school safety.

Dr Stow and communications staff said the district had vetted multiple vendors, signed the agreement early to secure a 20% savings, and intends to use ThoughtExchange strategically over the next 11–12 months to solicit input from parents, staff and broader community stakeholders. The superintendent described a pilot use of the tool with local CEOs and said labor‑management conversations had already included discussion of staff wellbeing as a survey topic.

The board ratified the agreement as an item on the consent calendar and approved use of the platform for a phased listening program. Trustees and staff said they would monitor results and then determine whether to continue the contract beyond the pilot period.