Richland 1 board approves $6 million amendment to buy student and teacher devices

The Richland School District One board of commissioners on Feb. 10 unanimously approved a $6,000,000 amendment to the FY25–26 general fund to purchase information-technology equipment, including student and teacher devices, necessary software, and related hardware.

The administration, presented by Ms. Bing, said the amendment increases the district’s budget from $419,398,762 to $425,398,762 and would use a capital project funded from the general-fund unassigned reserve to ensure timely procurement ahead of the 2026–27 school year. "The administration recommends allocating $6,000,000 from the fiscal year 24–25 general fund unassigned fund balance to purchase essential IT equipment," Ms. Bing said.

Chair Robert Lomenak told the board the timing was critical: if the district waits for a planned general obligation bond issuance, devices might not arrive in time for the start of the school year. He also raised a procurement-cost concern, saying a worldwide RAM shortage could increase laptop prices by roughly $400 per device if purchases are delayed.

Commissioner Hersey moved approval; Commissioner Bishop seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The administration said that if bond proceeds become available before invoicing, the amendment would be automatically repealed and the district would be reimbursed out of the bond issuance.

District staff responded to a question from the board that the current vendor quote is locked for a limited time, and the amendment is sized to spend the entirety of the $6,000,000 if executed under current pricing. The amendment is intended to preserve capacity to order laptops, iPads, and teacher devices so they can be ready for next school year.

Next steps: the board approved the amendment and will proceed with procurement under the state term-contract terms cited by administration. If bond proceeds are available in time, the district expects to reimburse the reserve as described at the meeting.