San Diego Unified school board member Sheila Jackson wants the district to stop hiring outside consultants. The trustee, who was reelected earlier this month, is working on a proposal that would freeze district expenditures when it comes to bringing independent experts into San Diego Unified.
School Superintendent Terry Grier says these consultants are critical to helping guide his reforms and provide research. But Jackson says the district has a number of trained professionals on-staff who could do the work. She says the district's state education dollars should go towards schools.
Jackson:
We have to remember that as a school district, we have to maintain our schools. To make sure schools are open everyday, that the staff is paid at the school sites, and the students have what they need. So to take money from school sites and use it on an outside entity, I am very much opposed to (that practice).
Jackson says she plans to vote against two contracts that would go toward hiring more outside consultants at Tuesday's school board meeting. Those contracts amount to roughly $450,000. Former superintendent Alan Bersin came under fire several years ago for bringing similar consultants.
