Board approves $500,000 amendment with BloomBoard for teacher pipeline; ALAS youth urged support

The board considered action item 5.3, a second amendment to the contract with BloomBoard Inc. for innovative talent development pipeline services in the amount of $500,000 for one year. Counsel presented the recommendation to approve the amendment and asked for a motion; the motion passed with one abstention recorded.

Several public commenters from ALAS — including founder Lisa Maria Rhodes and multiple youth fellows — addressed the board in support of sustained teacher-pipeline and mental-health services for English learners. Lisa Maria Rhodes introduced ALAS and its aims: "My name is Lisa Maria Rhodes. I'm the founder and executive director of ALAS," and student speakers described why pipeline and counseling supports matter to them. After public comment, the board approved the BloomBoard amendment; Vice President Olin Parker asked that the record show he was abstaining from item 5.3.