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Board tables AED purchase after extended debate over scope, buses and funding
Summary
Trustees delayed a plan to buy new automated external defibrillators (AEDs) after wide-ranging discussion about placing units on buses, training, debrief protocols and use of a safety grant. The board voted to table the purchase pending updated vendor quotes and a virtual approval meeting April 2.
The Derby Board of Education voted 7-0 on March 24 to table a proposed districtwide automated external defibrillator (AED) purchase after extended discussion about placement, training and grant funding.
Medical and special-services staff proposed buying 105 AEDs — 70 intended for school buses and 35 to upgrade building units — at a quoted price that depended on a large bulk order. "We are requesting the purchase of 70 AEDs for transportation as well as 35 to upgrade our current..." said Dr. Dawn Gresham, who presented the proposal to the board.
Board members and staff raised concerns about whether so many units were needed on buses, how devices would be stored and maintained, and how purchases would be funded if a state safety grant were cut. Pam Kelly, the district finance director, told the board the district had budgeted to use $18,712 of the Safe and Secure grant in the current year but that other proposed state budget reductions could affect next year’s funding.
Several trustees urged a narrower purchase focused on buildings and a smaller set of vehicles that regularly carry teams or medically fragile students. Board member Jennifer (first name on record) said coaches and trainers commonly bring an AED to away events and suggested the district could instead ensure that coaches or athletic trainers are equipped and trained to carry a unit when needed.
The board asked staff to obtain updated vendor pricing for a smaller order and agreed to a virtual special meeting to complete the purchase authorization before April 1, when the vendor said prices will increase. Trustees agreed to sign a written waiver and consider a virtual approval vote; the board clerk scheduled a virtual action for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. to finalize a revised purchase amount if staff can return an updated quote in time.
No final purchase was approved at the March 24 meeting. The board instructed staff to return with a revised quote that reflects the fewer units the board preferred and to include options for assigning devices to specific buses or athletic vans that frequently travel off campus.
The board’s motion to table and reconvene for a virtual approval passed unanimously.
