Board approves AASA contract and receives $38M Lilly Endowment update

The school board heard a comprehensive update on the district’s Lilly Endowment phase two and three investments and approved a contract with AASA to develop a K–12 college-and-career framework.

Dr. Hanson opened the discussion by noting the district had received "over $38 million from Lilly," and said the administration plans regular updates on grant progress every few months. Ryan, who led the presentation, described three core initiatives under the award: a K–12 college-and-career framework and job centers, a dual-capacity family-engagement framework, and investments in staff development including a micro-credentialing system.

The presentation laid out program specifics. Ryan said the district is already implementing a schedule redesign for grades 5–8 to increase instructional minutes in math and language arts, expanding Avid as an elective, adding academic-acceleration specialists (two per middle school) to support students below proficiency, and designing a micro-credential platform intended to deliver about "600 micro-credentials per year" for staff with stipends for completion. He described early architectural renderings for job centers at Creston, Raymond Park and Stony Brook middle schools, noting flexible spaces, separate community entrances and movable walls; the earliest realistic opening was described as the 2027–28 school year, with continued uncertainty tied to construction timing.

On partnerships and procurement, Ryan said the district has contracted with Achievement Network (ANet) for instructional frameworks, wrote AASA into the Lilly application as the lead partner on the college-and-career framework and job-center curriculum, and expects to bring a micro-credentialing software contract to the board in August. He summarized an expected contract timeline: AASA on tonight’s agenda; ANet renewal in July; micro-credentialing and a dual-capacity contract in August; and construction contracts for job centers in September.

Board members questioned how consultants will work alongside district staff, how parents will be involved, and how the district will track student outcomes. Board member Lashonda asked whether consultants were performing work the district could do internally; Ryan said most contracts are structured to "build capacity" and work as thought partners rather than replace staff, though the micro-credentialing platform requires external software development. When asked about parent involvement, Ryan said the dual-capacity framework and contract deliverables include parent engagement opportunities; he added that parents are "a primary aspect of that" work.

Several trustees asked for clearer benchmarks and outcome tracking. One board member pressed for data showing how many recent graduates are job-ready or hold credentials; Ryan said the state collects college/career/military credentialing data the district reports to the state and that the Class of 2026’s final figures will be complete after the state's September reporting period. The administration agreed to provide a written chart of deliverables, benchmarks and more frequent progress updates to the board, and noted the next significant Lilly report is due in November.

After discussion, Julie moved to approve the AASA college-and-career framework contract and Rachel seconded. An oral roll-call vote was taken; the present members recorded affirmative votes and the motion passed. The board then closed the meeting.

The administration committed to providing written deliverables tied to the Lilly application, preliminary outcome tracking where available, and biannual financial and goal reporting required under the Lilly reporting schedule. The next substantive Lilly grant report is due in November.