District news
About $1.5 million in outside consulting and therapy contracts approved
What happened
On June 25, 2026 the board approved 2026-27 contracts including Ashlock Consulting reading coaching ($193,560), Curriculum Associates i-Ready ($255,000), Sibme coaching ($246,330), Edwards Educational Services leadership coaching ($230,000) and Best Life Therapy related services ($600,000). Staff said the consulting contracts are paid with federal Title funds, not county money.
Why it matters to families
A board member later questioned paying the Edwards group while principals asked for assistant principals.
The evidence
In the June 25, 2026 recording the board approves contracts for "$193,560", "$255,000", "$246,330", "$230,000" and "light therapy [Best Life Therapy] for the 2026 2027 school year for $600,000."
The source
June 25, 2026 board meeting recordingSee the full record for McDowell County Schools.
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