$469,000 contract for behavior staff in after-school programs

In plain English

The school board is asked to approve a professional services agreement with Symbal Inc. to supply extra trained staff for the district's after-school programs during the 2026–2027 school year. Symbal would provide behavior technicians, registered behavior technicians, and other trained personnel who would work alongside the district's Expanded Learning teams so students who need individualized support can take part in after-school academic, enrichment, and recreational activities. The rate sheet lists a contract value of $469,000, paid from after-school program funding (ELOP/21st Century/ASES). A yes vote approves the contract; it is on the consent agenda, meaning it would be approved along with other routine items unless a board member pulls it for discussion.

Students who need one-on-one behavioral or communication support would get staff assigned so they can attend after-school programs that current district staffing cannot cover, and $469,000 of after-school program money would go to an outside staffing firm instead of other uses.

Key facts

Contract value listed on the rate sheet: $469,000 for the proposed staffing model
Staffing model: six behavior technicians and six registered behavior technicians, each scheduled 22 hours per week for 29 weeks
Hourly rates: $57 for behavior technicians, $64 for registered behavior technicians/CNAs, and $73 for ASL (American Sign Language) paraprofessionals
Funding source: ELOP/21st Century/ASES (state and federal after-school and expanded learning program funds)
Term: the 2026–2027 school year; prepared by Jen Littleton-Bruno, Executive Director, Expanded Learning

Reasons to support

District staff say current staffing is not enough to meet the individualized support needs of some students, so those students cannot fully access after-school programs without added help.
The contract brings in specifically trained personnel — behavior technicians, registered behavior technicians, and ASL paraprofessionals — who would work alongside existing Expanded Learning teams rather than replace them.
Assignments would be coordinated based on student needs and each site's staffing capacity, and the cost is covered by dedicated expanded learning funds (ELOP/21st Century/ASES).

Reasons to oppose or change it

The contracted hourly rates of $57 to $73 are what the district pays the staffing firm, which invites the question of whether hiring district employees directly would serve more students for the same $469,000.
The $469,000 comes out of ELOP/21st Century/ASES after-school dollars, so it is money not available for other expanded learning staffing, enrichment, or site needs.
Placing a contract of this size on the consent agenda means it is approved without separate discussion unless a board member asks to pull it, including details like how many students will be served and how assignments across sites will be decided.

Official wording

Approval of Agreement with Symbal Inc. for Expanded Learning Student Support Services, 2026–2027 Recommended Action: Approve the professional services agreement with Symbal Inc. to provide additional staff to support student participation in after-school programs during the 2026–2027 school year. Background and Purpose: Expanded Learning seeks to provide equitable access to safe, inclusive after-school programming. Current district staffing is insufficient to meet the individualized support needs of some students. This agreement will provide additional trained personnel so students who require these supports can access and participate in after-school academic, enrichment, and recreational activities. Symbal Inc. will provide behavior technicians, registered behavior technicians, and other appropriately trained personnel as assigned by the district. These staff will work alongside Expanded Learning teams to support student engagement, individualized needs, and safe participation. The proposed staffing model includes six behavior technicians and six registered behavior technicians, each scheduled for 22 hours per week over 29 weeks. Assignments will be coordinated based on student needs and site staffing capacity. Fiscal Impact: The agreement’s rate sheet lists a contract value of $469,000 for the proposed staffing model. Hourly rates are $57 for behavior technicians, $64 for registered behavior technicians/CNAs, and $73 for ASL paraprofessionals. Funding source: ELOP/21st Century/ASES. Recommendation: Staff recommends approval to address current staffing gaps and expand after-school access for students requiring additional support. Department: Expanded Learning Prepared by: Jen Littleton-Bruno, Executive Director, Expanded Learning Staff recommends approval to address current staffing gaps and expand after-school access for students requiring additional support.

Official agenda Symbal_Pajaro Valley USD_Expanded Learning_2026-27_Contract_PVUSD-Updated.docx

Summary written by claude-opus-5 from the agenda. It can contain mistakes. The official documents govern.