Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Procurement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lodi board approves safety window laminate and cooperative-purchasing items amid procurement questions; several abstentions recorded
Summary
The Lodi Board approved a package of finance and procurement items Feb. 25, including a change order to add safety laminate to interior classroom windows and votes to join cooperative purchasing agreements; one board member abstained on at least two items citing insufficient review time.
The Lodi Board of Education approved multiple finance and procurement items on Feb. 25, including a change order to install safety laminate on interior classroom windows and doors at three schools and actions to participate in additional cooperative purchasing groups.
"FB 8 is a change order for the window laminate project," Superintendent D'Amico said, explaining the additional interior classroom windows and doors will receive safety laminate as part of a project previously approved in the current budget. The board approved the finance package by roll call; most measures passed with recorded yes votes. Board member Mastrofilippo announced an abstention on FB 2 because he had not had time to review that specific item.
Members discussed the district's use of cooperative purchasing agreements for supplies and small service contracts (items referenced as FB 5 and FB 6). Administration described co-ops as optional tools that provide pre-bid pricing for materials and hourly service rates for smaller repairs. "It gives us another option," the administration said, clarifying that the district can still run its own bids when warranted.
One board member cautioned about relying too heavily on co-op prices without local vetting and suggested the district retain the ability to solicit its own bids for larger projects. The board also discussed procurement timing questions—how recent a cooperative bid might be and whether pricing remains current—and were told that co-op bids vary by vendor and type of work.
Votes at a glance: - Motion to table approval of minutes (procedural): passed by roll call (majority yes; recorded in meeting minutes). - Finance items (FB series, including FB 8 window laminate): approved by roll call; Mastrofilippo abstained on FB 2 (noted in the record). - Cooperative purchasing authorizations (FB 5, FB 6): approved; administration said participation is optional and nonbinding.
Administration said the cooperative bids typically quote materials and/or hourly rates for services; the district retains authority to solicit fresh bids for large-scale projects or where price comparisons are needed.
The board moved on to personnel and policy items after the finance votes.
