Board approves consent agenda, awards benefits consulting contract to Gallagher and accepts donations

Tucson, Ariz. — The Catalina Foothills Unified School District Governing Board on Feb. 25 approved its consent agenda, including acceptance of gifts and donations, the award of an employee benefits consulting contract, and an award for track replacement work at Orange Grove Middle School.

After board members pulled items 3.7 (gifts and donations) and 3.8 (RFP for employee benefits consulting) for brief discussion, the board approved the remaining consent items by motion and then separately approved the pulled items. The board recorded unanimous approval for the consent agenda items presented.

On the benefits consulting item, staff described the services to be provided under RFP 25‑3‑30. A district staff member explained that the consultant assists with health, dental, life and disability plans, employee assistance programs, flexible spending and health savings accounts, open enrollment administration, compliance with federal and state regulations (including Medicare and FMLA), procurement/bid support for insurance plans, and employee benefit data analytics. The board approved a one‑year contract with the option to renew for up to four additional years to Gallagher Benefit Services Incorporated with an estimated first‑year cost of $32,000.

The board also approved acceptance of gifts and donations (the agenda noted about $13,000 in donations in one month from various family‑faculty organizations) and awarded the contract for track replacement at Orange Grove Middle School to the general contractor for an amount reported in the agenda as $638,000.76.

Votes and formal actions recorded at the meeting

- Approval of consent agenda (items 3.1–3.9, excluding items pulled for separate votes at the start): Motion carried 5–0. - Approval of gifts and donations memorandum (item 3.7): Motion carried 5–0. Board comments acknowledged the FFOs’ recurring donations (one board member noted $13,000 in one month came from several FFOs). - Award of RFP 25‑3‑30 (employee benefits consulting) to Gallagher Benefit Services Incorporated: Motion to approve the award as presented; seconded; vote 5–0. Motion language recorded in the meeting packet: “I move the governing board approve the award of RFP 25‑3‑30, employee benefits consulting, a 1 year contract with the option to renew for 4 additional years to Gallagher Benefit Services Incorporated with an estimated first year cost of $32,000 as presented.” - Award of contract for track replacement at Orange Grove Middle School (general acrylics for track): Approved as presented (agenda amount $638,000.76).

Why it matters: The benefits consulting contract covers employee benefits administration and compliance tasks that affect open enrollment, plan procurement, and employee support. The facilities contract advances a significant capital project at a middle school site. Gifts and donations provide supplemental funding for school programs and were highlighted by board members as material to site budgets.

Clarifying details

- RFP award: Gallagher Benefit Services Incorporated; estimated first‑year cost $32,000; contract term 1 year with option to renew up to four additional years. - Track replacement award: Listed in agenda as $638,000.76 for general acrylics at Orange Grove Middle School. - Gifts and donations: Board cited approximately $13,000 contributed in one month from several FFOs (family‑faculty organizations). The agenda included additional cooperative purchase updates and personnel items.

Speakers referenced

- Amy Sams, Board Secretary (processing sign‑in forms for public comment). - Eileen Jackson, Board Member (pulled items for discussion and commented on FFO donations). - Staff member (benefits presenter, name not specified in the transcript): described Gallagher’s scope of work for employee benefits consulting.

Authorities

- Type: contract — RFP 25‑3‑30, employee benefits consulting (award to Gallagher Benefit Services Incorporated), referenced by this article. - Type: contract — Award of general acrylics contract for track replacement at Orange Grove Middle School, referenced by this article.

Discussion_decision

Discussion points: brief questions about the scope of benefits consultant services and the longevity of the district’s relationship with the vendor (staff said the district has used the vendor for many years, noting the vendor was sold seven years ago but services continued). Board members emphasized the role of FFO donations in school budgets.

Directions: None beyond approval; staff will proceed with contract execution and project implementation per normal procurement processes.

Decisions: All consent items and the individual pulled items were approved by unanimous vote (5–0).