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Union board approves 2025–26 calendar, technology purchases and $37M bond sale; votes at a glance
Summary
At its meeting the Union Public Schools Board of Education approved the 2025–26 school calendar, capacity postings, several technology purchases including docking stations and student laptops, an anticipated WAN contract renewal, temporary appropriations for FY 2025–26 and actions to award and authorize combined purpose general obligation bonds.
The Union Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the 2025–26 school calendar and a series of operational and finance measures, including technology purchases, temporary appropriations for the July 1 fiscal year and steps to issue combined-purpose general obligation bonds totaling about $37 million.
Superintendent Doctor Federline recommended approval of the proposed 2025–26 calendar after a 30-day public review period: "it is my recommendation to you tonight, that we approve the calendar as was presented at the last board meeting for the 2526 school year," Federline said. The board approved the calendar by voice vote.
On capacity and enrollment administration, the board approved the district’s capacity levels and calculated open transfer capacity amounts for posting on the district website. The district noted those figures must be posted by April 1.
District technology and contracts were also approved. Mister Borland presented a one‑year contract renewal with Lightstream Networks LLC for district wide area network (WAN) services in the amount of $315,480 from general building funds before discounts; Borland said, "E Rate will probably give a 90% discount off this amount," and that OUSF should cover the remainder, leaving an expected $0 net local hit while the district retained contingency funds. The board approved the renewal.
The board approved purchases from bond funds: 650 docking stations for teacher laptops from CDW Government LLC for $107,152.50 and 1,200 student laptops and accessories from Travera for $730,800 to replace devices at the Freshman Academy. Staff noted the new docks use USB‑C to simplify connections and that the laptop pricing was held to last year’s RFP rate ahead of anticipated price increases due to tariffs.
Under personnel, the board approved a change to the 2024–25 early retirement incentive (ERI) participation list to add a qualifying support employee; the addition was presented as an administrative update approved by the superintendent prior to board action.
In finance, Doctor Williams presented the application for temporary appropriations for the 2025–26 fiscal year for the general building and child nutrition funds. "This temporary appropriation is something of a placeholder for the 3 large appropriated funds," Williams said; the measure allows the district to begin spending and encumbering funds beginning July 1. The board also moved to receive bids for $37,500,000 in combined-purpose general obligation bonds and to award the bonds to the lowest compliant bidder; Municipal Finance Services reported seven competitive bids and identified UBS Financial Services as the low bidder. The board then approved a resolution authorizing issuance of combined-purpose general obligation bonds of 2025 in the sum of $37,000,500, approving bond forms and related continuing disclosure documents.
All motions reported in the meeting passed by affirmative vote. Board members recorded on the roll as voting yes included Doctor McNeil, Mister Nguyen, Miss McAdams, Mister Reyes and President Romerman (the chair). Several items included staff comments about program specifics, funding sources and implementation steps that district staff said will be posted or acted on in the coming weeks.
Votes at a glance: • 2025–26 school calendar — Motion to approve; outcome: approved (unanimous). • Capacity levels / open transfer capacity amounts — Motion to approve for posting (post by April 1); outcome: approved (unanimous). • Lightstream Networks LLC renewal (WAN services) — Contract renewal for $315,480 before discounts; outcome: approved (unanimous). Funding: general building funds; E‑Rate and OUSF expected to offset costs. • CDW Government LLC — 650 docking stations, $107,152.50 from bond funds; outcome: approved (unanimous). • Travera — 1,200 student laptops and accessories, $730,800 from bond funds; outcome: approved (unanimous). • Early retirement incentive participation list — Administrative update adding one qualifying support employee; outcome: approved (unanimous). • Temporary appropriations application for FY 2025–26 (general building and child nutrition funds) — Motion to approve; outcome: approved (unanimous). • Receive bids and award $37,500,000 combined-purpose general obligation bonds to lowest compliant bidder (municipal bid process) — UBS Financial Services identified as low bidder; outcome: approved (unanimous). • Resolution authorizing issuance of Combined Purpose General Obligation Bonds of 2025 ($37,000,500) — Motion to approve resolution and related documents; outcome: approved (unanimous).
The board adjourned after brief superintendent remarks highlighting district financial recognitions and upcoming high school basketball state appearances.
