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Woodland Hills says US Steel grant will fund book vending machines; district to contract cultural-sensitivity coach for musical
Summary
Dr. Eddie Wilson told the board that US Steel is providing funds for book vending machines at elementary schools and that the district plans to hire a cultural-sensitivity coach to support the middle/high school production of Hairspray. Board approval for the grant and subsequent purchases will appear on a future agenda.
Dr. Eddie Wilson, speaking as the curriculum presenter for Woodland Hills School District, told the board the district expects a check from US Steel to buy book vending machines for elementary schools and that each machine will allow students to take books home. “It is you get to take that book home,” Wilson said.
Wilson said the donation will appear on next week’s agenda as a single acceptance item if the check exceeds $20,000. He said each vending machine is priced under $10,000, which under district purchasing rules means the district does not have to run a formal bidding process before making the purchase. “Each machine is less than $10,000, we don't have to go out and do a bidding process or an RFP,” Wilson said.
Wilson also described a separate curriculum-related item: the district plans to contract a cultural-sensitivity coach to advise staff and students involved in the district production of Hairspray. He identified Pastor Eric Ewell, who has provided True Colors training for principals, as a possible consultant and said the district will notify families in advance about the sessions to avoid misunderstanding about the content.
Wilson framed both items as programmatic steps to support students: the vending machines are intended to expand students’ personal libraries and the coach is intended to help staff and cast address race- and body-image-related themes in the musical in a constructive way. He said the district will purchase books to stock the vending machines and will integrate the cost into his budget proposals going forward.
Board members asked operational questions about vendor selection, book purchasing, and parent notification for the coach. Wilson said US Steel has recommended vendors and that the district will buy books for machine inventory. He said the coach will work with staff and students and that the district will send information home to families explaining the purpose of the sessions.
No formal board vote was recorded during the meeting; Wilson said formal approvals to accept the donation and to authorize related purchases will be placed on a future agenda for board action.
