DeSoto County School Board approves multiple contracts and equipment purchases

The DeSoto County School District Board approved several procurement actions and equipment installations during its meeting, including a door-access control contract, purchases of interactive projectors, and a contract for child nutrition substitute staffing.

The board approved awarding the door access control project to Southern Computer Systems, doing business as Cyber Technology Security, after staff reported that one bid was received and recommended accepting the lowest and best bid. The board then approved entering into a contractual agreement with the same vendor for the door access control work.

Separately, the board approved awarding the district's reverse-auction purchase for interactive classroom projectors to Academic Technologies. Staff presented the reverse-auction results and recommended accepting Academic Technologies as the lowest and best bidder for both cart-mounted and wall-mounted interactive projectors; the board approved that recommendation.

The board also granted permission to install a new football/soccer scoreboard at DeSoto Central High School. District staff said the DeSoto Central High School Football Boosters and other parent organizations will donate the scoreboard to the district upon completion, and the board approved the installation.

Pleasant Hill Elementary School received board permission to install an electronic sign. The district said the parent-teacher organization (PTO) is funding the project and will transfer ownership of the sign to the district when it is completed; the board approved the request.

In procurement related to services, the board approved entering into a contract with Kelly Services Incorporated for child nutrition substitute staffing services, following the district's request for proposals and staff recommendation based on the RFP results.

In routine vendor-exception items, the board approved requests from principals at Horn Lake Middle School and Southaven Middle School to pay vendors for services rendered before issuance of purchase orders. Staff stated the incidents have been addressed and steps were implemented to prevent them from becoming a pattern; the board approved the requests.

The board approved a staff reimbursement request for a district employee who paid a registration fee to the Mississippi Autism Board for certification as a board-certified behavior analyst; the requested reimbursement amount on the agenda was $27.59 and the board approved the reimbursement.

These approvals were taken by motion and voice votes during the consent/regular agenda; board members voiced “aye” and the chair announced the motions passed.

The procurement and equipment approvals affect multiple school sites, including DeSoto Central High School, Pleasant Hill Elementary, Horn Lake Middle School and Southaven Middle School, and will be implemented by district staff and the identified vendors.