VIDOR ISD trustees approve Chromebook purchase, campus electrical upgrade and multiple routine items

VIDOR — The VIDOR ISD Board of Trustees on April 14 approved a series of purchases, contracts and administrative actions, including a purchase of 516 Chromebooks to refresh the district’s testing and classroom devices and a low bid for an electrical upgrade at the high school tied to a grant.

District Superintendent Dr. Kilgo told trustees the Chromebook purchase is intended to “refresh the fleet” after several years without a major device buy and that the district will pay for the 516 units from fund balance. He said the district aims to return to a roughly five‑to‑six year device rotation to avoid testing and classroom failures caused by aging machines.

The board approved the CDW‑G quote for 516 Chromebooks and the related Google management license, with the purchase funded from fund balance. Trustee Mr. Kemp moved the motion and Trustee Ms. Gilthorpe seconded; the vote was 5–0 with two members absent.

Why it matters

Trustees said testing requirements and classroom needs are driving the purchase. Technology staff and trustees discussed a multi‑year refresh plan and a target of renewing roughly 100 devices per year after the larger purchase to restore a stable replacement cycle.

What else the board approved and discussed

- Electrical upgrade for high‑school welding program: District staff presented three bids for electrical work at Vidor High School required to support equipment purchased through a separate grant. Jefferson Electric submitted the low bid at $222,364; staff noted the bid includes a roughly $50,000 contingency and said the work must be completed to meet grant timelines. The board approved the bid 5–0 with two absent.

- Budget amendments and transfers: Trustees approved transfers reallocating existing budget lines to cover TASB risk management insurance renewals and funds to move an Oak campus playground. Staff emphasized these moves do not increase the approved budget but reallocate within it. Motion carried 5–0 with two absent.

- Teaching supply bids: The board approved vendor line items from a sealed procurement for classroom supplies; staff said 10 vendors responded and the recommended low bidders met specifications. Motion carried 5–0 with two absent.

- Student athletic/UIL supplemental insurance: Trustees approved the district’s annual renewal of supplemental coverage for students participating in UIL and related activities (grades 6–12). Staff said the policy is supplemental to family coverage but can be purchased at registration and serve as primary coverage for students without other insurance. Motion carried 5–0 with two absent.

- Superintendent hiring authority (April–August): The board granted Dr. Kilgo authority to hire classroom teachers between the April meeting and August to respond to a competitive hiring market; administrative positions will still come to the board. Trustees said the district will report hires back at the next available board meeting. Motion carried 5–0 with two absent.

- Homestead exemption: Trustees voted to continue an additional 15% homestead exemption for tax year 2025. Motion carried 5–0 with two absent.

- Oak Forest playground equipment donation: The Oak Forest PTO offered to fund additional playground equipment (quote slightly over $17,000). Because of procurement thresholds, trustees approved acceptance of the donation and authorized proceeding; motion carried 5–0 with two absent. Staff said installation timing will be coordinated with planned construction so the new equipment will not be displaced.

- Low attendance waiver for Bridall Middle School: Following a March 28 attendance dip the district sought board approval to file a state waiver for low attendance so funding will be calculated at last year’s level if the state accepts it. Staff said the attendance drop was tied to a non‑credible social media safety post; the state must still approve the waiver. Trustees approved filing the waiver 5–0 with two absent. Staff explained that if the state does not approve the waiver the district will be reimbursed at the actual lower attendance rate (staff estimated roughly the difference from last year’s ~94% attendance but did not provide a final dollar figure).

- Welding program project timeline and grant link: Staff explained that units purchased under a grant are already on campus and that the electrical work is necessary to operate them all at once. Staff said the contractor was expected to start within about 10 days after notice to proceed. Trustees approved moving forward. Motion carried 5–0 with two absent.

- Emergency operations plan and personnel approvals: After a closed‑session consideration of personnel and other matters under Texas Government Code, trustees returned to open session and approved the annual emergency operations plan as presented by Chief Sanchez and accepted personnel/hiring recommendations. Each motion passed 5–0 with two absent.

Details and clarifications

- Chromebooks: The board approved buying 516 Chromebooks and related Google management licenses; the purchase will be paid from fund balance because it was not in the original adopted budget. Staff said the quoted vendor was CDW‑G and that the district will pursue an ongoing rotation to avoid future large backlogs. The transcript contained inconsistent readbacks of the vendor quote; the board book contains the formal quote and final invoice amounts.

- Electrical bid: Jefferson Electric was the low bidder at $222,364; staff noted a $50,000 contingency and that earlier estimates had ranged higher (staff said they had been warned bids could reach $300,000–$350,000). Funding for the work will come from fund balance.

- Attendance waiver: Staff said the dip was caused by a social media post that was not found to be credible. The district will submit documentation to the Texas Education Agency; state approval is required for the waiver to affect funding.

What the board did not change

Trustees emphasized that the budget transfers discussed were reallocations within the approved budget, not increases to the district’s total spending authority. Administrative hires will still require board approval; the superintendent’s temporary hiring authority applies only to classroom teacher vacancies between April and August.

Trustees voted unanimously on all motions taken in open session (5–0; two trustees absent).