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APS board approves consent agenda including grant adjustments, 10 electric buses and large insurance package
Summary
The board approved a consent agenda and separate action to accept grant budget adjustments; agenda items included purchases exceeding $500,000 (10 electric buses and chargers, facility upgrades, playgrounds, instruments), a claims audit contract and insurance premiums estimated at $10.5 million.
The Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education approved a multi-item consent agenda and later voted to accept grant budget adjustments Dec. 17, clearing several large procurement requests and funding alignments.
Highlights from the approved items: the finance committee recommended and the board approved district purchases or expenditures that meet the $500,000 threshold, including an invitation-supported purchase of 10 electric buses and 10 charging stations, high-speed roll-up and dock doors with on-call services, district-wide playground installations, and purchase of string instruments and related materials. The board also approved an award for claims payment integrity audit and review services, stop-loss insurance policies, and a package of insurance premiums for the coming year that administration estimated at about $10,500,000.
Board members noted that the electric-bus funding opportunity came through the Public Education Department and the Public Schools Facilities Authority, which invited APS to apply based on the district's infrastructure readiness. During finance committee and board discussion members confirmed that the state agency defines "overburdened communities" referenced in Senate Bill 48 and that APS was an invited beneficiary for electric bus funding, though the district is not the author of the enabling legislation.
The board also approved grant budget adjustments for four funds (Senate Bill 48 community benefit fund, near peer tutoring, Hispanic education HPREC, and the USDA Fresh Fruits and Vegetables program). Member Dominguez asked clarifying questions about the legislative language and oversight; administration explained PED/PSFA roles and how APS was invited to receive funds tied to readiness for electrification of transportation.
Motions to approve the consent agenda and to accept the grant budget adjustments were moved and seconded during the meeting and passed by roll call. The finance team was publicly thanked by the chair for its work during the meeting.
