Professional development and job-embedded coaching services for school leaders

South Delta School District
South Delta School District
P. O. Box 219
106 Athletic Drive
Rolling Fork, MS 39159
Telephone: (662) 873-4302
Fax: (662) 873-6114
Contact: Eddwin Smith, Federal Programs Director
RFP 2027
Request for Proposals for Professional Development and Job-Embedded
Coaching for School Leaders
Issue Date: August 13, 2026
Submission Deadline: September 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM CST

SDSD RFP for Professional Development and Job-Embedded Coaching for School Leaders
SOUTH DELTA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Request for Proposals for Professional Development and Job-Embedded
Coaching for School Leaders
The South Delta School District (the "District") invites sealed proposals from qualified vendors to provide
professional development and job-embedded coaching services for school leaders. The purpose of this
procurement is to strengthen school leaders' efficacy, leading to effective teaching practices, supportive
leadership, and increased student academic achievement.
Proposals may be submitted in either hard-copy or electronic form.
Hard Copy Submission
Vendors submitting hard-copy proposals shall provide five (5) complete copies addressed to:
Mr. Eddwin Smith, Federal Programs Director
South Delta School District
P. O. Box 219
106 Athletic Drive
Rolling Fork, Mississippi 39159
Proposals may be hand-delivered or sent by U.S. mail or private carrier. The vendor is solely responsible
for ensuring that its proposal is received by the submission deadline.
Electronic Submission
Vendors submitting electronically shall email their complete proposals to eddwinsmith@sdelta.org.
Questions
All questions concerning this RFP shall be submitted in writing to Eddwin Smith, Federal Programs
Director, at the address listed above. Oral statements, interpretations, or clarifications shall not bind the
District.
Written questions must be received no later than August 25, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. CST. The District will issue
written responses to questions and any amendments to this RFP.
Only written responses issued by the District shall be considered official and binding. The District
reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine the appropriate response to any request for
clarification.
All addenda, notices, and official correspondence concerning this RFP shall be issued exclusively
by the South Delta School District.
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SDSD RFP for Professional Development and Job-Embedded Coaching for School Leaders
1.0 Background
The South Delta School District, located in the Mississippi Delta region, serves approximately 550 students
across three campuses. The District's elementary school, located in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, serves
students in pre-kindergarten through grade 5. The middle school, also located in Rolling Fork, serves
students in grades 6 through 8. The high school, located in Anguilla, Mississippi, serves students in grades
9 through 12. Each school is led by a principal. There are no assistant principals within the district.
This Request for Proposals (RFP) is issued to procure evidence-based professional development and
coaching services that strengthen school leaders' efficacy and their ongoing professional growth, resulting
in effective teaching practices, supportive leadership, and increased student academic achievement. Vendors
must demonstrate relevant experience and measurable results.
Any contract awarded pursuant to this RFP shall be funded exclusively with federal funds. The successful
vendor shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and grant requirements.
2.0 Overview
The District invites proposals from qualified vendors to provide direct, high-impact, evidence-based
professional development and job-embedded coaching for school leaders. The goal of this procurement is
to strengthen school leaders' efficacy and improve student academic achievement.
Each proposal shall demonstrate alignment with District goals and address research-based best practices in
professional learning. Proposals shall describe evidence-based practices designed to produce measurable
gains in school leader efficacy, as reflected in increased student academic achievement on the Mississippi
Academic Assessment Program. Vendors shall clearly explain the methods, strategies, and processes they
will employ to accelerate school leaders' professional growth and improve student academic outcomes.
The successful vendor shall serve as a strategic service partner to the District and collaborate with District
personnel to monitor school leaders' professional growth, evaluate program effectiveness, and make
professional adjustments as necessary to support the desired outcomes.
3.0 Scope of Work
3.1 Timeline for Services
All services shall be performed during the 2026-2027 school year, excluding District and state testing
windows and scheduled holidays, unless otherwise approved in writing by the District.
3.2 Services
The District shall identify the school leaders who will receive services under any resulting contract. The list
of school leaders selected to receive services may be revised during the school year at the District's
discretion and in the best interests of the District.
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SDSD RFP for Professional Development and Job-Embedded Coaching for School Leaders
3.3 Implementation and Expectations
The District shall establish implementation expectations consistent with evidence-based best practices. The
District encourages vendors to propose innovative methodologies and value-added components that support
significant measurable student outcomes.
The selected vendor shall provide a clear, concise, and research-based plan to strengthen school leader
efficacy through a systemic model of professional learning and job-embedded coaching. The plan shall
address the following priorities:
* Instructional Leadership: Classroom observations and walkthroughs, rigorous instruction,
curriculum alignment, instructional feedback, intervention and enrichment, and monitoring
teaching and learning.
* Data-Driven Decision Making: State and district assessment data, proficiency and growth,
subgroup performance, bottom 25%, attendance and discipline data, identifying trends, converting
data into action.
* School Improvement Planning: Needs assessments, root-cause analysis, measurable goals,
evidence-based strategies, implementation timelines, progress monitoring, and adjusting strategies
based on results.
* Teacher Development and Evaluation: Teacher observations, actionable feedback, coaching,
professional development, PLC effectiveness, mentoring novice teachers, improvement plans, and
evaluating impact.
* Culture, Climate, and Student Engagement: School climate, student voice, attendance, discipline,
student motivation, academic expectations, relationships, safety, and recognition systems.
* Strategic Human Capital Management: Recruitment and retention, staffing decisions, teacher
assignments, certification, succession planning, leadership development, and addressing ineffective
performance.
* Operational and Fiscal Leadership: Budget development, federal and state funding, purchasing,
internal controls, master scheduling, facilities inventory, safety resource allocation, and fiscal
compliance.
* Family and Community Engagement: Parent engagement, Title I requirements, stakeholder
communication, community partnerships, family decision-making, and removing barriers to
participation.
* Professional Ethics, Accountability, and Compliance: Ethical decision-making, confidentiality,
professionalism, documentation, chain of command, policy implementation, federal and state
requirements, and leadership accountability.
* Strategic Leadership and Continuous Improvement: Vision and mission, strategic priorities, change
management, monitoring implementation, problem-solving, leadership development, and
sustainability and continuous improvement.
* Measurable goals to quantify effectiveness of support services.
4.0 Vendor Deliverables
The successful vendor shall perform all services and provide all labor, supervision, materials, and incidental
items required to complete the Scope of Work. In addition to the foregoing, the vendor shall:
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SDSD RFP for Professional Development and Job-Embedded Coaching for School Leaders
* Meet with the principal daily to review the work plan and conduct an end-of-day debrief.
* Meet with District administrators as requested by the Superintendent.
* Sign in and sign out each day.
* Submit daily work reports to the principal, Federal Programs Director, and Superintendent in a
timely manner.
* Submit invoices to the Federal Programs Director, or designee, and to Accounts Payable in
accordance with the District's Accounts Payable schedule.
5.0 Data Privacy and Security Compliance
The District and the vendor acknowledge that the effective project implementation may require the timely
exchange of data necessary for decision-making, service delivery, and payment processing.
5.1 Data Privacy and Security Compliance
The vendor shall comply, and shall assist the District in complying, in all material respects with
applicable federal and state laws and regulations governing information privacy and the confidentiality of
student records, including, without limitation, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA),
the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act
(COPPA). The vendor shall implement and maintain industry-standard administrative, technical, and
physical safeguards against unauthorized access, disclosure, use, acquisition, destruction, or modification
of District data.
5.2 School Official
To the extent that the vendor has a legitimate educational interest in, and requires access to, student
education records or information to provide services to the District, its employees, agents, teachers, or
students, the District designates the vendor as a "school official" within the meaning of FERPA. The
vendor shall remain under the District's direct control regarding the use and maintenance of personally
identifiable information and education records, as those terms are defined under FERPA. The vendor may
use such information and records solely to perform its obligations under the resulting contract and as
authorized by applicable state and federal law.
5.3 Data Ownership
All student and staff data remains the sole property of the District and shall be used exclusively for purposes
of performing under this RFP and any resulting contract. Upon completion of the contract, all data must be
returned to the District, and any unofficial documents containing such data must be destroyed.
5.4 Data Breach
The vendor or contractor shall immediately notify the District in the event of a data breach.
6.0 Contract Timeframe
A contract may be awarded to the responsible vendor whose proposal is determined to be most advantageous
to the District, taking into consideration price and the evaluation factors set forth in this RFP. Any resulting
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SDSD RFP for Professional Development and Job-Embedded Coaching for School Leaders
contract shall become effective upon approval by the South Delta School District Board of Education,
execution by all required parties, and the issuance of a District Purchase Order.
The total number of contractual days will be determined by the vendor's per-day cost and the availability
of Federal Funds, as approved by the Mississippi Department of Education. A contract day shall be defined
as a regular school day and, at a minimum, must encompass the times students are at school.
Services may begin upon contract execution as defined above and must be completed within the District's
established timeline prior to the spring 2027 MDE MAAP administration. Final invoices are due no later
than five business days after the last date of service.
7.0 Acceptance of Proposals
The District reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to waive minor informalities or irregularities in any
proposal received, provided such waiver does not prejudice the interests of the District or provide an unfair
competitive advantage to any vendor.
8.0 Selection Criteria and Procedures
All proposals received by the deadline shall be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth
herein. Proposals shall be reviewed and scored by a District-appointed Evaluation Committee.
Each vendor shall submit its best and final pricing with its proposal. The District reserves the right to
conduct discussions, request clarifications, or negotiate with one or more responsible vendors after receipt
of proposals and prior to award; however, the District may make an award based solely on the initial
proposals received.
The District reserves the right to award one contract, multiple contracts, or no contract, as determined to be
in the best interest of the District.
PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA
Maximum Points
Number of Earned
Points
1. A comprehensive implementation plan designed to strengthen school
leadership efficacy and improve student academic achievement. The 50
plan shall align with research-based best practices and address the
following areas:
* Instructional Leadership: Classroom observations and walkthroughs,
rigorous instruction, curriculum alignment, instructional feedback,
intervention and enrichment, and monitoring teaching and learning.
* Data-Driven Decision Making: State and district assessment data,
proficiency and growth, subgroup performance, bottom 25%,
attendance and discipline data, identifying trends, converting data
into action.
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SDSD RFP for Professional Development and Job-Embedded Coaching for School Leaders
* School Improvement Planning: Needs assessments, root-cause
analysis, measurable goals, evidence-based strategies,
implementation timelines, progress monitoring, and adjusting
strategies based on results.
* Teacher Development and Evaluation: Teacher observations,
actionable feedback, coaching, professional development, PLC
effectiveness, mentoring novice teachers, improvement plans, and
evaluating impact.
* Culture, Climate, and Student Engagement: School climate, student
voice, attendance, discipline, student motivation, academic
expectations, relationships, safety, and recognition systems.
* Strategic Human Capital Management: Recruitment and retention,
staffing decisions, teacher assignments, certification, succession
planning, leadership development, and addressing ineffective
performance.
* Operational and Fiscal Leadership: Budget development, federal and
state funding, purchasing, internal controls, master scheduling,
facilities inventory, safety resource allocation, and fiscal compliance.
* Family and Community Engagement: Parent engagement, Title I
requirements, stakeholder communication, community partnerships,
family decision-making, and removing barriers to participation.
* Professional Ethics, Accountability, and Compliance: Ethical
decision-making, confidentiality, professionalism, documentation,
chain of command, policy implementation, federal and state
requirements, and leadership accountability.
* Strategic Leadership and Continuous Improvement: Vision and
mission, strategic priorities, change management, monitoring
implementation, problem-solving, leadership development, and
sustainability and continuous improvement.
2. Measurable goals to quantify effectiveness of support services. 10
3. Organizational structures for completion of work as it relates to
scheduling of consultants, submission of services reporting, availability 10
to provide technical assistance, communication with the District and
school leaders, and project management systems.
4. Proven track record with references and documented outcomes from
similar implementations. 10
5. Cost Efficiency and Service
Lowest cost = 20 pts; others proportional (Lowest Cost / Vendor Cost) 20
x 20
TOTAL 100
9.0 Exceptions
The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive minor informalities or irregularities,
to request clarifications, to negotiate with one or more vendors, and to award a contract or contracts as
determined to be in the best interest of the District.
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SDSD RFP for Professional Development and Job-Embedded Coaching for School Leaders
10.0 Conditions of Request for Proposal
The issuance of this Request for Proposals does not constitute an award commitment by the District, nor
does it obligate the District to pay any costs incurred in the preparation or submission of a proposal.
11.0 Format and Procedure for Delivery of Proposals
Proposals must be complete, clearly organized, and submitted in accordance with the requirements of this
RFP.
The proposal must be prepared in an 11- or 12-point font, single-spaced, and bound without staples, clips,
or rubber bands. Each page of the proposal and all attachments must identify the vendor's name with
consecutive page numbering. The proposal must be organized in the order set forth in this RFP.
The proposal shall consist of seven parts as follows:
1. Part I Proposal Cover Page: The Cover Page is included in this RFP and shall serve as the Cover
Page of the vendor's proposal (one page only).
2. Part II Vendor Certification and Acceptance: The vendor's signature serves as agreement with
the terms and conditions as set forth in the RFP. If the vendor objects to any of the Standard Terms
and Conditions, such objection may constitute an adequate cause for rejection without further
negotiation.
3. Part III Vendor Profile: The vendor shall provide sufficient evidence of the vendor's
qualifications, organizational capacity, and ability to perform the services described in this RFP in
a timely and satisfactory manner. The Vendor Profile shall include: (a) the vendor's background;
(b) the vendor's relevant experience related to the specific service area(s) of this RFP; (c) the
vendor's knowledge and application of the Mississippi College and Career Readiness Standards;
(d) a description of at least three successful experiences in demographically similar school districts;
(e) a plan for performing the required services; and, (f) procedures and organizational structures
proposed for completion of the work as it relates to scheduling of consultants, performance of
services, reporting, availability to provide technical assistance, communication with the District
and school leaders, and project management systems.
4. Part IV Program Narrative: The vendor shall provide a clear and concise plan describing (a)
Professional Development and Job-Embedded Coaching services the vendor is proposing, (b) how
the services will be managed, delivered, and evaluated to meet the identified needs of the District,
(c) the process for submitting reports, (d) the process for communicating with the District, and (e)
the process for evaluating services rendered. The Program Narrative may not exceed ten pages.
Vendors may include a menu of services in an appendix; however, the appendix will not replace
the Program Narrative.
5. Part V Budget: The vendor shall include the vendor's complete cost proposal and shall encompass
all requirements of this RFP. To be considered responsive, the vendor shall submit a budget
narrative/cost proposal for a daily rate that includes all service expenses. The daily rate stated in
the cost proposal shall constitute the vendor's total proposed compensation. The District shall not
be responsible for any costs exceeding the amount proposed. Indirect costs shall not be allowed.
6. Part VI Personnel: The vendor shall provide resumes for all personnel involved in the delivery of
the service (from principals to field technicians), including their experience in this area of service
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SDSD RFP for Professional Development and Job-Embedded Coaching for School Leaders
delivery. Indicate the level of involvement by principals of the company in the day-to-day
operations of the contract.
7. Part VII References/Resumes: The vendor must provide at least three references for contracts of
similar size and scope to those that will be implemented in the District. References must be from
contracts awarded during the past three years. Include the name of the school district, date and
length of the contract, a summary of the work, and the name and telephone number of a contact in
the district.
12.0 Disposition of Proposals
All submitted proposals become the property of the District and shall not be returned to the vendor.
13.0 Notice of Intent to Award
The District shall notify the vendor whose proposal is determined to be the most advantageous to the
District, taking into consideration evaluation factors set forth in the RFP.
14.0 Right to Protest
14.1 Interested Party
An actual or prospective vendor whose direct economic interest may be affected by the terms of this RFP,
the award of a contract, or the resolution of a protest.
14.2 Protestor
An actual or prospective vendor that is aggrieved in connection with this RFP or the award of a contract
and that submits a protest in accordance with the procedures set forth below.
14.3 Protest Procedures
A protest shall be submitted in accordance with the following procedures and in the sequence stated:
1. The vendor shall submit a formal letter of protest to the District Superintendent of Education,
detailing the exact nature and reason(s) for the protest. The letter shall specify precisely which
terms in the RFP and/or decisions related to the award are being challenged, stating the reason for
each protest.
2. The letter shall state the title of the RFP at issue in the protest and shall be signed by the vendor
representative who signed the bid proposal documents.
3. No verbal protest shall be acknowledged by the District.
A review committee shall be appointed by the District Superintendent to review each valid protest submitted
by a vendor that has followed the established procedures. A decision regarding the protest shall be made in
a timely manner. The review committee shall base its recommendation on the written evidence presented
by the vendor and the Superintendent or designee. The review committee's recommendation shall be
submitted to the Superintendent for approval. The protesting vendor shall be informed of the decision in
writing at the earliest practicable date. The decision of the review committee, as approved by the
Superintendent, shall be final.
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SDSD RFP for Professional Development and Job-Embedded Coaching for School Leaders
PART I
PROPOSAL COVER PAGE
Name of Vendor
Contact Person and Title
Phone Number
Mailing Address
Email Address
Daily Rate for a Full
Workday
By signing below, the undersigned certifies that he or she is duly authorized to bind the vendor to the terms
of the proposal submitted in response to this RFP; that the vendor has reviewed the RFP requirements; and
that, if selected for award, the vendor agrees to perform the services in accordance with the requirements
set forth herein.
___________________________________________________ __________________________
Authorized Signature Date
Proposal Due Date and Time: September 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM CST
South Delta School District
ATTN: Mr. Eddwin Smith, Federal Programs Director
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