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Board approves Chromebook purchase and replacement vehicles to meet transportation rules
Summary
Crete Public Schools approved a Chromebook purchase from Sterling and bids for three replacement vans and one Suburban to comply with student‑transport regulations; the district said payments occur after delivery and trade‑ins reduce net cost.
The Crete Public Schools Board of Education approved two procurement items at the January meeting: a Chromebook purchase from Sterling and purchase of three passenger vans plus one Suburban from H & H Chevrolet to replace vehicles that will not meet upcoming student‑transport requirements.
Superintendent Doctor McDowell said IT bid the Chromebooks and compared vendors; the district chose a Dell device because of local repair capacity despite a lower price from another vendor, noting “we have two Dell certified repair people and a plethora of parts that would certainly make up the difference.” The board approved the Sterling bid; district staff said payment will not be made until the devices arrive (expected May or June).
On transportation, the board approved bids for three 2026 passenger vans and one Suburban. McDowell told the board the current vans will no longer be able to transport students next school year under new federal and state regulations and that the replacements are necessary for compliance. He said the district budgeted $300,000 for vehicles and expects net costs after trade‑ins to be about $238,000–$240,000. Manufacturing lead time is roughly five months.
Both motions were seconded and carried by roll call votes.
The board did not attach additional purchase conditions beyond the standard procurement process; staff will proceed with ordering and coordinate delivery and trade‑in logistics.
