Board reviews procurement renewals, vendor additions, policy updates and facilities contracts; trustees press for metrics and protections
Loading...
Summary
CPS staff sought board authorization for vendor‑pool additions, AED and drug policy amendments, renewals with Baker Tilly and AT&T, an expanded facility management renewal with Jones Lang LaSalle, an EPA‑funded electric bus purchase, and reimbursements tied to an early childhood build. Trustees pressed for performance metrics, vendor diversity, privacy protections and deferred‑maintenance commitments.
Administration presented a slate of operational and procurement proposals that will be considered at the February 26 board meeting, including: adding 25 vendors to an existing out‑of‑school‑time and student health vendor pool (increasing the pool from 97 to 122; not‑to‑exceed $16,000,000, term 01/01/2026–12/31/2026); an AED policy amendment to comply with 2024 state law (House Bill 5394) requiring cardiac emergency response plans and coach certification; a progressive‑discipline update to the drug and alcohol policy; a final renewal for Baker Tilly to provide required auditing services ($832,000 for 04/01/2026–03/31/2027); a two‑year AT&T renewal (proposed two‑year spend $17,400,000; E‑Rate eligible components); and facility contract renewals and amendments with Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) covering building engineers and operations (a recommended final renewal not‑to‑exceed roughly $328,870,000 covering 07/01/2026–06/30/2028).
During question periods trustees repeatedly asked for outcome metrics and program impact data (for OST vendors), transparency on vendor pricing and selection, clarity about whether added vendors were actively providing services, and how procurement choices align with equity goals. On the AT&T renewal trustees asked about data privacy and guardrails given the vendor’s federal contracts; ITS staff said phone numbers and leased resources are contractually CPS assets and that CPS security protocols apply to data protections.
Facilities staff described procurement to lease and operate 50 electric school buses procured with an EPA Clean School Bus grant; the buses will be district‑owned and leased to vendors, and staff said prioritizing EV buses in underserved communities could reduce district costs by up to $962,000 annually. Trustees asked for routing and student‑impact details once buses enter service.
Regarding a 2019 construction grant for a Little Angels early childhood facility, staff asked to amend a funding agreement to name the operating service provider and allow time to complete licensing; the amount for reimbursement upon completion was cited as $2,400,000 in grant funds. Trustees requested documentation of licensing status and confirmation that the funds remain available.
No procurement items were voted at the agenda review session; staff will return with additional documentation, KPIs and readiness analyses at or before the regular board meeting.
