Joplin Schools board approves new district photography contract aimed at lower prices and digital packages
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The board approved a multi-year photography contract with Wagner Portrait Group after a 27-page RFP and community input; the package includes lower-cost digital and print options, senior portrait integration and student ID badges with crisis contacts.
The Joplin Schools Board of Education approved a contract with Wagner Portrait Group to provide PK-12 school photography, including a reduced-cost digital package, print packages and multi-family discounts. Staff told trustees the new package responds to parent feedback and is expected to reduce per-package prices compared with the district's prior offerings.
District staff said the procurement followed a 27-page request for proposals developed with input from elementary, middle and high school leaders and from parents. Staff reported a digital package is available for about $10 (compared with about $30 under the district's earlier package), and that an 8x10 and 5x7 package was similarly priced at roughly $10. The RFP also folded senior portrait services into the district contract, which had historically been separate, and it added a multi-family discount for households with multiple students.
Presenters said the recommended vendor, Wagner Portrait Group, agreed to product and pricing terms and will provide the student identification badges for secondary students. Staff said statutory/crisis contacts will appear on ID badges, including the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline, the local crisis center line and the Joplin Police Department non-emergency number. Staff also clarified the contract does not include sports photography.
The board motion to approve the Wagner Portrait Group contract was made by board member David Weaver and seconded by board member Miss Schroeder; the motion passed. District staff said commissions from photography sales will return to student activity funds.
Board member Mr. Robertson asked about the statutory requirement for items on IDs; staff answered that required crisis and local contact numbers (including 988) will be printed on secondary student badges.