Board authorizes device purchases and awards $4.75M audio‑enhancement contract

The board approved two technology items during the May 7 meeting: the purchase of student devices and an annual audio‑enhancement contract for classrooms.

The Office of Technology and Business Systems requested board approval to purchase 12,000 HP Chromebooks and 280 HP laptops at a total cost of $5,173,600. Staff explained the additional 280 Windows laptops were requested so that certain programs requiring Windows could be supported at specific schools. "The request came in from CELA that the Chromebooks were not meeting the instructional needs... they use the product called Labster, which is an interactive immersive, online lab solution... it requires a Windows solution," a technology presenter said. The plan is to deploy Windows laptops where needed and redistribute the freed Chromebooks to other schools in need.

Board members asked about device inventory and lifecycle. Staff said the district manages roughly 40,000 devices and that the percentage of broken devices is under 5 percent; staff said many devices purchased during the COVID period are reaching end of life and require replacement.

Separately the board approved an award for RFP 25‑26, an annual audio enhancements contract, to NetPlanner Systems, with an estimated initial 1‑year cost of $4,750,000. Staff said the implementation includes rollouts, training and coordination with schools. Superintendent and departmental leaders said professional learning and coordinated implementation are in progress to ensure teachers can use the equipment effectively.

Both vendor contracts were presented to and approved by the board following staff explanations and discussion.