Centennial SD approves $20,762 pilot purchase of OpenSciEd science kits after board questions ownership and supply delays

The Centennial School District Board of School Directors voted 8-1 March 11 to approve a pilot purchase of K–8 science kits from Carolina Open SciEd, with district costs not to exceed $20,762.81.

The pilot will supply materials and digital components intended to help the district test a standards-aligned science curriculum for kindergarten through eighth grade. Board member Michael Martin questioned terms in the vendor contract that say materials remain the vendor's property after the pilot and opposed doing business under those terms.

"I would just prefer not to do business with that company, but that's all," Martin said during discussion, citing paragraph 3 of the contract that he said described the materials as the exclusive property of Carolina Biological Supply Company.

District staff and other board members said the contract includes substantial digital components that the district would not take physical possession of, and that broader supply-chain problems have affected vendors. "That is a big part of what it addresses," said a district staff member involved in the procurement, explaining why some components may remain vendor-managed. The staff member said the district previously removed another vendor from consideration because shipping delays and tariffs made delivery uncertain, and that removing that vendor reduced an earlier total price from roughly $31,000 to the current $20,762.81 package.

Staff said teachers have been able to use sample kits procured at no cost and locally available supplies to continue piloting some lessons while full kits are delayed by import restrictions. The district also told the board it expects a purchase discount or credit toward future purchases if it adopts the program after the pilot; staff estimated roughly a 10–20% credit would apply but said exact terms will be confirmed with the vendor.

The purchase was carried on a motion (6.7A) approving the pilot and associated purchase, and passed with eight votes in favor and one opposed.

The board did not adopt the curriculum itself; the vote authorized the district to pilot the materials per the attached purchase terms. Staff said they will report back on pilot outcomes and any contractual clarifications before larger-scale adoption.

Votes at the March 11 meeting included other consent items and renewals unrelated to the pilot. The board discussion underscored two persistent concerns raised by members: delayed vendor deliveries tied to tariffs and whether digital products supplied under pilot contracts should be considered district property.

Staff provided clarifying notes to the board: the previously proposed additional materials from another vendor—about $11,000—were removed because that vendor could not guarantee timely delivery; some kit components are physical classroom items that would be returned if the district does not adopt; and digital resources are licensed rather than transferred. The district indicated it will seek clearer contractual language on ownership and credit before future purchases.

The board approved the purchase after concluding the pilot will let teachers evaluate whether the Open SciEd materials meet instructional needs despite current supply challenges.