Forest Grove SD board approves $643,725 in purchases for Cornelius Elementary opening

The Forest Grove School District Board of Directors on March 19 approved two purchases totaling $643,725.10 to outfit Cornelius Elementary ahead of its planned summer opening.

Director of Finance and Operations said the district needs classroom and office furnishings across the building and presented a Virco quote of $577,207.90. “This is for all of the classroom furniture, any of the cabinetry work or non physically, the portable cabinetry and then all of the office equipment at or office furniture at the main office in the, Family Resource Center. So this is, going to be across the whole building,” the Director of Finance and Operations said. The director told the board the quote is being finalized for color choices but “it's within budget, and it shouldn't change, from this price substantially,” and requested a purchase order so items could be ordered by spring break.

Technology Manager Enrique Penon presented a separate procurement for classroom charging cabinets to store and charge student devices. Penon said staff solicited quotes from SHI, CDW·G and Data Center Warehouse and recommended the JAR charging-station system from Data Center Warehouse because it was lowest cost. “The proposal or quote, that was the lowest cost, was from data center warehouse for the JAR system, charging stations for the classrooms at a total cost of $66,517.20,” Penon said. The board was asked to authorize the purchase using bond funds.

Board members moved and seconded the motions for both purchases. The board then voted in favor of each purchase; the meeting record shows the motions passed. Paola was excused from the meeting; other directors were present for roll call. The special meeting began at 11:15 a.m. and was adjourned at about 11:20 a.m.

Votes at a glance

- Purchase of classroom and office furniture for Cornelius Elementary from Virco: $577,207.90 — Motion approved. Funding: not specified beyond the presenter saying the amount is within budget.

- Purchase of classroom charging cabinets (JAR system) for Cornelius Elementary from Data Center Warehouse: $66,517.20 — Motion approved. Funding: bond funds (as stated by staff).

Next steps and context

District staff said they planned to finalize color selections and issue a purchase order so equipment could be delivered in time for the school’s summer opening. The purchases were presented as part of ongoing work to prepare Cornelius Elementary to open this summer; no additional detail on delivery dates or installation timelines was specified in the meeting record.