Bryan ISD trustees approve $61,959.60 reach truck for child nutrition operations

The Bryan ISD Board of Trustees voted to approve the purchase of a new reach truck for the district's child nutrition operations, authorizing $61,959.60 to Briggs Equipment.

The purchase was presented by Kevin Biesal, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, with Sandra Baxter, Director of School Nutrition, identified as the operational lead for the department. Biesal told trustees the unit is part of an excess fund-balance spend-down plan required to comply with Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) guidance for school nutrition programs. “It's a fancy forklift, that, is made to work in narrow aisles and and work at right angles and things,” Biesal said, describing the equipment's narrower-aisle and side-to-side capabilities compared with standard forklifts.

Biesal said the district issued a request for proposals and received two vendor quotes; one vendor met the district's specifications while the other did not because the unit was too tall for doorways at the new facility. The recommended unit is new; the existing reach truck — described in discussion as about 18 years old and currently used at the CDC building — will likely remain in place as long as that facility continues in district use, while the new unit would be assigned to the Ruby Halliburton facility.

Board member Gonzales moved approval; Board member Waller seconded. The motion carried; the board recorded the purchase as approved during the workshop meeting.

Trustees questioned the procurement process and whether the district could sell the older unit for salvage; staff said they would coordinate logistics with facilities staff. Biesal also confirmed the purchase had been reviewed as part of the child nutrition fund-balance plan the district submits to TDA.

The board moved on to other agenda items after the vote.