Board adopts Seven Mindsets RFP for behavioral framework; superintendent discloses and says he divested prior holdings

The Prince George's County Board of Education voted 10-0 to adopt agenda item 19.2, approving the district's recommended vendor for a behavioral framework and multi-tiered system of supports intended to reduce suspensions, improve attendance and expand social-emotional learning.

Dr. Faison outlined the solicitation and evaluation process, saying a five-member interdisciplinary panel scored technical proposals and demonstrations and completed cost and scope evaluations. "According to the results, Seven Mindsets was the organization that scored the highest by over at least 10 points of any of the other vendors," she said, and described planned features including evidence-based interventions, drug-prevention material, real-time dashboards for principals, technical integration with the student information system, and professional-development modules for teachers.

Board members asked how the vendor would integrate with ParentVUE and what privacy protections would apply to student health- or behavior-related information. Dr. Faison said that the vendor will integrate with the student information system after approval and that the information "will not be reported back into parent view," adding that the vendor had been vetted by instructional technology staff for security measures. She also described the platform as web-based and noted student self-directed module options.

Dr. Joseph acknowledged a perceived conflict of interest tied to his prior relationship with the vendor. He told the board that prior to taking his role on June 27 of last year he had worked with Seven Mindsets as a consultant and owned stock in the company; "when I took this job, I immediately met with our legal counsel, our office of integrity and our internal audit office and they advised that I liquidate the stock which was done and sent that to the board and also no longer engaged with them," he said. Board members thanked him for the disclosure and clarity.

Miss Johnson called the roll for agenda item 19.2; the recorded roll call shows the same ten members voting in the affirmative, and the board adopted item 19.2. The discussion ended with the expectation that the district will proceed with integration planning and implementation steps under the approved vendor.