Board opts into higher public‑works bidding thresholds, adopts informal bidding procedures and joins EdTech JPA

The Lemon Grove School District Board of Trustees voted to continue operating under the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (CUPCCA) thresholds, approved an accompanying informal‑bidding resolution and authorized the district to join an Education Technology Joint Powers Authority (EdTech JPA).

Chief Business Officer Ms. Barton presented the procurement overview, calling CUPCA “a mouthful” and explaining the practical effect: if the board adopts CUPCCA thresholds, the district’s informal public‑works purchase threshold rises from the standard $15,000 to $75,000; an informal bid range applies between approximately $75,000 and $220,000; and formal bids are required above that. Barton said maintenance‑type purchases remain governed by the state’s maintenance threshold (for 2025 cited as $114,800 for materials and supplies) and that the CUPCCA election affects public works only.

Board members asked how the change would affect local vendors, contractor prequalification and project‑labor agreements. Barton said contractors must still be licensed, bonded and pay prevailing wages under California law and that contractors may be placed on a vetted list; districts can still require project‑labor agreements and other local terms. Trustee Robertson asked whether the change would limit the district’s ability to enter project‑labor agreements; Barton said CUPCCA does not prohibit such agreements. Trustees also asked how the district would maintain oversight; Barton said purchase orders and contract items will continue to be presented to the board and appear on the monthly PO lists.

Barton discussed other compliance options that shorten procurement timelines, including piggybacking other districts’ bids, membership in purchasing consortia (the district participates in the North County Educational Purchasing Consortium) and the CMAS cooperative contracts. The board also heard that federal procurement thresholds apply separately for federal programs such as child nutrition.

The board approved the resolution to opt into CUPCA (moved by Trustee Miller, seconded by Trustee Smith), the companion informal‑bidding procedures resolution (moved by Trustee Smith, seconded by Trustee Miller), and authorized membership in the EdTech JPA (moved by Trustee Robertson, seconded by Trustee Miller). Each motion carried on unanimous voice votes from trustees present. Trustees asked staff to maintain transparency by continuing to present purchase orders and recommended contract actions to the board for review.

During the consent items the board separately approved two contract amendments: a contract increase with Swing Education to expand substitute‑staff services and a higher authorized amount for RoHealth, a provider of nursing and nonpublic agency services. Staff explained Swing is used on an as‑needed basis — particularly for restricted programs (preschool, special education, Expanded Learning Program) — and that RoHealth provides nursing and other specialized services for students with IEPs; both vendors were described by staff as vetted and commonly used by similar districts.