Board approves business-by-consent; percussion vendor selection questioned and assessment contract pulled for review

The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education approved the business-by-consent package Tuesday after a brief debate that produced two notable items: a question about a percussion-instrument purchase and the temporary removal of a contract renewal for assessment services.

Board member Doctor Bonebrake questioned why the district awarded a percussion-instrument contract that was not the lowest-priced bid. Staff replied that procurement decisions sometimes prioritize quality and longevity over lowest price: “So sometimes that goes to quality and whether or not the instrument is going to have the longevity that we need for it to have,” a district staff member said. Board members accepted that explanation but noted the bids were not comparable and asked staff to ensure justification is documented.

Separately, the board pulled item 13.1, the contract renewal with Bob Winkler for assessment services, from the consent agenda for further review. Board members asked for a clearer statement of deliverables and questioned why a car allowance was specified in the contract. Superintendent-level staff said Winkler has worked with the district for about 10 years, was reduced to a half-time position two years earlier, and has supported the district’s state-assessment partnerships and social-emotional screening implementation. Staff agreed to revisit the car-allowance language and return a revised contract to the board at the next meeting.

After initial voting and a maneuver to rescind, the board approved the consent package with the explicit exception of item 13.1. Board members said staff would bring back the assessment-services contract with clearer deliverables and potentially renegotiated terms.