Evanston board authorizes superintendent to sign up to $800,000 tax‑exempt technology lease

The Evanston CCSD 65 Board of Education on Jan. 13 authorized the superintendent to sign a property schedule under the master tax‑exempt lease purchase agreement with American Capital Financial Services Incorporated to finance the district's lease of technology equipment for fiscal years 2024 through 2027 in an amount not to exceed $800,000.

Board discussion referenced the district's five‑year technology plan, lifecycle replacement needs and potential cost savings. Members asked about specific line items such as auditorium audiovisual upgrades; staff said the $100,000 allocation in the plan is intended to ‘‘fill in gaps’’ and not to cover large‑scale upgrades across all schools. The board also discussed device lifecycle, secure print options and licensing audits as part of the district's cost‑containment efforts.

Vote and motion text The board approved the following motion (motion text as recorded by staff): "That the Board of Education authorize the superintendent to sign the related property schedule of the master tax exempt lease purchase agreement dated January 13, 2025, and all the related documents with American Capital Financial Services Incorporated for the financing of the school district's lease of technology equipment for fiscal years 24 through 27 in an amount not to exceed $800,000." The motion passed by roll call (affirmative votes recorded for Salem, Sue, Gilpin, Lindsey Ryan, Kim, Wilkins and Hernandez). The transcript recorded the outcome as passing.

Context District staff said the lease reflects a life‑cycle replacement approach to classroom and AV devices and includes a reduction in prior presented operating costs through negotiated terms and licensing audits. Questions by board members focused on programmatic priorities, how the lease reduced printing/paper costs via secure‑print options, and the planned use of funds for AV and auditorium baseline upgrades.