Board awards sub-finder contract to EDUStaff and authorizes RFP for debt collection services

The St. Joseph School District Board of Education on Jan. 27 approved two procurement items: a one-year contract with EDUStaff for substitute-teacher placement services and authorization for staff to solicit proposals for debt collection services.

Jenny Powers and procurement staff reviewed five bids for sub-finder services; EDUStaff, the incumbent, was the lowest bidder at a 25% fee. District staff told the board that in the sub-finder market a 1 percentage-point difference can equal roughly $15,000, and that EDUStaff—s bid was approximately $15,000 lower than the second-place bidder and about $45,000 lower than the highest bidder. Based on the review and reference checks, the administration recommended a one-year contract with EDUStaff. The board voted to approve the contract; the motion passed unanimously.

Separately, the board authorized staff to issue a request for proposals for third-party debt collection services. District staff said the district has about $25,000 in outstanding debt, mainly from participants in the Grow Your Own and Pathway to Teaching programs who signed agreements to repay scholarship-like funds if they did not work for the district for a required period. The RFP would allow the district to solicit vendors and return proposed terms and costs to the board for a decision on whether to engage a collector. Trustees discussed contract length and the administration suggested starting with a one-year agreement if a vendor is selected.

Both actions were approved by recorded vote; both motions carried without dissent.