Classified staff urge transparency on consultants and budget outcomes ahead of approvals

At the start of the meeting a CSEA representative, identified in the agenda as Miss Ruth, thanked classified employees for summer work and asked the board and staff to ensure they have outcome data before approving recurring vendor contracts.

"I actually cannot make an informed statement or give an expert opinion on the effectiveness or values of the vendors, consultants, or private companies. I have not seen any outcome data for any of these," the representative said, asking that the budget advisory committee review consultants' effectiveness and asking to participate in that process. Trustees acknowledged the request and indicated the budget advisory committee and staff would continue to examine program outcomes and transparency.

The comment was made before several contracts and renewals were approved later in the meeting; trustees and staff said they would work to make data about vendor usage and outcomes more available to the board and community.