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Athletic directors propose preferred‑vendor agreement and digital ticketing; board signals support with conditions
Summary
Athletic directors proposed a one‑year preferred‑provider contract (Campus Clothes) to improve equipment quality, a roughly 15% discount, and adoption of a digital hometown ticketing system (user‑paid fees, district provides cash option). Trustees expressed support while asking for vendor transparency and monitoring.
Athletic directors Joe Spera (North) and Pete Rinella (South) told the finance committee that recurring vendor problems — late deliveries, price increases after ordering, and inferior or non‑compliant equipment — have disrupted seasons and left student‑athletes without correct gear.
"We had swimsuits arrive for one of our teams that, after they wore them, the swimsuit started ripping after the first meet," Spera said, describing quality failures that required reorders.
To address the problem the directors proposed a one‑year preferred‑provider agreement with Campus Clothes (a local vendor) to be the district's primary supplier for most athletic materials and uniforms, with dedicated reps and an estimated ~15% discount. They emphasized the contract would not be exclusive: the district could still seek individual bids or buy from other vendors if better prices or products are available. Tony Rapp confirmed that any single purchase above $25,000 would still require a formal bid process.
Trustee Joe Hidalgo and other board members expressed support for the approach but asked for transparency and quality controls. Several trustees said they want to run the one‑year pilot, monitor performance and retain the ability to terminate the arrangement if standards slip.
On ticketing, Rinella and Spera recommended adopting a digital vendor (hometown ticketing) to reduce cash handling and streamline receipts. They said the service imposes a user fee — discussed in the presentation as roughly $1.50 per ticket or a small percentage depending on purchase type — and stressed the district would not be charged. "There is no cost at all to the district for this," Rinella said. Tony Rapp added that recent state education legislation requires a cash option and on‑site assistance for electronic purchases; the district would therefore continue to accept cash at events and provide in‑person support for buyers who need it.
Next steps and board direction: administrators will prepare a formal contract for board approval for the Campus Clothes preferred‑provider proposal, and the ticketing vendor proposal will be brought forward with fee details and implementation plans that include a cash‑sales option and onsite support. No formal votes were recorded in the finance committee meeting; trustees indicated conditional support pending contract review and monitoring provisions.
Ending: The committee thanked the athletic staff; trustees asked administration to draft the contract and report back after a trial period so the board can evaluate performance and compliance with purchasing rules.
