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Douglas County SD 4 board approves $157,000 Chromebook purchase, $52,727 project‑management contract contingent on federal HVAC grant; nominates Hamerson to OSB
Summary
At its regular meeting the Douglas County SD 4 board approved the purchase of 500 Chromebooks for $157,000, voted to approve a $52,727 project‑management contract contingent on a Renew America Schools grant for HVAC work at two elementary schools, and nominated Director Steve Hamerson for an OSBA legislative policy committee seat.
The Douglas County SD 4 board approved several consent and business items at its regular business meeting, including the purchase of 500 Chromebooks, the selection of a project manager contingent on a federal grant award, and a nomination to an Oregon School Boards Association regional committee.
The board voted to buy 500 CTL Chromebooks at a total cost of $157,000; Assistant Superintendent Michelle Nee said the purchase "will be provided through the technology replacement fund within the general fund and as part of our regularly ... Chromebook refresh replacement process." The board approved the purchase after a brief discussion of device lifecycle, warranty coverage and plans to keep middle‑school devices at school rather than send them home.
The board also approved a project‑management contract with CSS in the amount of $52,727 for work tied to a Renew America Schools (RAS) grant application. District staff, led by Danielle Littlefield, asked the board to approve the contract "contingent upon the award of the RAS grant." The contract covers the project‑management portion only; staff said the vendor was selected after a request‑for‑proposal process and that the $52,727 fee would not be owed unless the district receives the federal grant. Board members discussed that the grant would fund HVAC/air‑quality improvements at Jolene and Eastwood schools and noted the district does not yet have an official award notification.
The board nominated Director Steve Hamerson as the district’s candidate for the OSBA legislative policy committee for the Douglas South Coast region (position No. 9). Board members discussed the nomination process and noted that nominated candidates must still appear on a regional ballot of area school boards.
Other routine business: the consent agenda was approved (including the hiring of Frederick Schmidt as a financial‑literacy teacher at RHS) and the board discussed a possible schedule change for the September meeting, with staff (Janet) to circulate availability.
Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (pages 1–10, including hire of Frederick Schmidt, financial‑literacy teacher at RHS): motion approved (vote recorded in meeting as “Aye.”). Mover/second: not specified in public record; no roll‑call tally provided. - Purchase 500 CTL Chromebooks from CTL Corporation — $157,000 (technology replacement fund): motion approved. Mover/second: not specified in public record; no roll‑call tally provided. - Project‑management contract with CSS — $52,727, contingent on award of Renew America Schools grant (for Jolene and Eastwood HVAC/air‑quality work): motion approved. Staff noted the fee is payable only if the federal grant is awarded. - Nomination of Director Steve Hamerson to OSBA legislative policy committee (Douglas South Coast region, position 9): motion approved; one board member abstained during the vote. The nomination will still appear on the regional ballot for OSBA member districts to vote on.
The board did not finalize timelines or dollar amounts for the HVAC projects because the grant award is pending. Staff said the district could face additional local matching or implementation costs depending on the grant award and vendor quotes.
Ending The regular business meeting was adjourned and the board convened a work session on the strategic plan. Staff will circulate the updated consent packet and the proposed September meeting date for board availability.
