Vicksburg-Warren board approves vehicle purchases, software and temporary classrooms

Vicksburg — The Vicksburg Warren School District Board approved a series of procurement and contract items at its Oct. 24, 2024 meeting, including vehicle acquisitions, a transportation diagnostic system, an online student-records platform addendum pending attorney approval, a $25,000 purchase of additional test items and a temporary relocatable-classroom rental with prorated billing.

Board members discussed and approved each item during the consent and capital-assets portions of the meeting. Several purchases drew questions from board members about cost and usage before motions carried by voice vote.

The board approved two Dodge crew-cab trucks and other vehicles for district use. Board members questioned the price of individual vehicles, citing amounts in the transcript of roughly $52,000 and $43,000 for two trucks. District staff explained the higher prices reflect state contract pricing and four-wheel drive needed for weather and pulling equipment; staff also said the vehicles will be used by central-office administrators and maintenance staff to reduce mileage reimbursements when employees travel for district business.

The board approved a transportation diagnostic and software package to support bus maintenance. The procurement included an equipment+first-year fee of approximately $9,100 and an ongoing annual software/support fee estimated at $1,500. District staff told the board the system will let in-house mechanics diagnose newer engines and electrical issues — reducing the need to outsource repairs — and will cover the entire bus fleet.

Members approved H3, a contract/addendum with Scribbles (a student-cumulative-folder platform related to the district’s existing Parchment transcription system), with the condition that the board attorney review and sign the final addendum. District staff said the platform will let schools and central office transmit cumulative student folders electronically; staff estimated at least $4,000 in postage and labor savings districtwide.

The board approved a $25,000 purchase of additional test items for districtwide benchmarking through the educational materials specialist (H8), and approved extending or executing the associated addendum as part of the motion.

On H13 the board authorized rental of relocatable classrooms (two connected trailers providing four classroom spaces) at an initial cost of about $52,960 with an additional removal charge cited at roughly $17,000. The board added clear language to require prorated billing — the district will pay only for the months the trailers are in use, and after 12 months a $1,000-per-month charge would apply if the rental continues.

Other consent motions were approved or pulled for discussion as recorded in the minutes. Several approvals were explicitly conditioned on final attorney review or execution of addenda.

Votes at a glance: the board approved adding agenda item H19 (Vicksburg Police Department National Night Out) and then approved the full agenda with that addition; approved routine minutes and claims docket items; approved capital assets and surplus disposals; and approved items H3, H8, H9, H12 and H13, with H3 and H12 carried subject to attorney sign-off and H13 amended to add prorated billing language. Specific vote tallies were recorded as voice votes with “aye”/“opposed” responses; the transcript records the board chair calling each motion and announcing “motion is approved.”

Board members who pressed on costs said they wanted clearer justification and confirmation that vehicles and trailers would be actively used for district operations rather than personal use. District staff reiterated that vehicles are assigned to central-office use, maintenance and athletics travel; trailers will be set on concrete piles with tied joists and will be insured while in place.

Ending — The board concluded the consent and capital-assets business after the motions passed and moved on to discussion items and school improvement updates.