Board approves technology leases, vendor agreements and purchasing resolution

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Murfreesboro City School Board on Aug. 12 approved a package of vendor agreements and a yearly cooperative purchasing resolution, including two lease-finance agreements with Dell for student and teacher devices, a benefits consulting agreement, an extension of a fire‑suppression services contract and the district's annual Microsoft licensing renewal.

The board approved two Dell lease-financing agreements that would acquire 2,000 student Chromebooks and licenses ($702,140 total over three years) and 1,000 teacher laptops ($831,050 total over four years). The agreements were presented as fair-market-value leases procured through the Omnia Partners cooperative and were reviewed by the Division of Local Government Finance on May 22, 2025. Board members noted the leases require final approval by Murfreesboro City Council before the district can execute the financing.

The board also approved entering a consulting agreement with Gallagher Benefit Services, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Gallagher will provide benefits consulting, renewal analysis, carrier negotiations and related services; the district said Gallagher is compensated by carrier commission and that there is no direct vendor fee to the district.

Separately, the board exercised a one-year renewal option for a professional services agreement with Ironsmith Fire for inspection, testing, maintenance, repair and installation of fire‑suppression systems under Tennessee Fire Codes. The renewal covers Aug. 12, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and the district reported the contract cost is $45,990 charged to the general purpose bond.

The district also approved its annual Microsoft licensing renewal through CDW/G under a Sourcewell contract. The quote presented totaled $66,317 and covers Microsoft 365 subscriptions and Windows Server licenses for staff and students; the district said the amount is in the general purpose budget.

Board members approved a resolution authorizing the district to use master cooperative purchasing programs (including BuyBoard, Omnia Partners, CWG and Sourcewell) for the 2026 school year, citing state law that permits use of these cooperatives to secure pricing and reduce administrative burden.

All motions on the above items were approved by the board during the meeting; the board indicated the Dell lease agreements will be forwarded to the Murfreesboro City Council for the municipal lease financing approval required by state law.

Votes at a glance

- Lease financing agreements with Dell (2,000 student Chromebooks and 1,000 teacher laptops): motion approved by the board; requires Murfreesboro City Council approval before financing execution. - Consulting agreement with Gallagher Benefit Services (effective 01/01/2026): motion approved; Gallagher compensated via carrier commissions (no direct vendor fee disclosed). - Professional services agreement extension with Ironsmith Fire (renewal term 08/12/2025–06/30/2026; $45,990): motion approved. - Microsoft licensing renewal (CDW/G via Sourcewell; $66,317): motion approved. - Resolution to participate in cooperative purchasing programs (BuyBoard, Omnia Partners, CWG, Sourcewell) for FY2026: motion approved.

Board members said the Dell leases and other purchasing actions are part of the district's ongoing technology rotation and procurement strategy; the Dell leases, if approved by city council, will be paid over the stated multi-year terms and the district said the FY26 budget already includes the combined first-year payment of $422,547.