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Board approves purchase-order items: district to distribute ESSER-era gift cards for families experiencing homelessness
Summary
Trustees approved consent items that include purchase orders for vendor-restricted gift cards (Albertsons/Safeway $12,608; Target corporate gift cards $37,828). Chief business officer said the cards were purchased with leftover ARP/ESSER funds to support homeless families, are in $200 increments, held in the district vault and will be distributed with an accountability spreadsheet and auditor oversight.
During the consent-item discussion the board reviewed several purchase-order entries that drew trustee questions about purpose and deadlines.
Dr. McCollum explained that the purchases — $12,608 for Albertsons/Safeway gift cards and $37,828 for Target corporate gift cards — were paid from remaining American Rescue Plan (ESSER) funds. "These monies were mainly spent on wrap around support programs," Dr. McCollum said, and the California Department of Education allows prepaid cards for eligible uses in support of homeless families.
Dr. McCollum told trustees the cards "are in $200 increments" and are physically in the district vault. He said staff are developing an accountability process and spreadsheet that auditors will review to confirm the cards were distributed according to CDE guidance. "Once we get our accountability system and our way of identifying the specific families, we will start to distribute them," he said.
Trustees asked whether families could apply; Dr. McCollum said staff will "brainstorm on the best ways to do that outreach" and emphasized a sensitive approach to distribution. He also noted the cards are vendor-restricted so purchases like alcohol are prevented by card controls.
The board approved the consent items (10.1–10.8) and carried the motion by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the oral record.
No further action was taken at the meeting; staff said a Friday report will include additional procurement and distribution details.
