Rockingham County School Board approves E‑Rate networking purchase and five TSI improvement plans

The Rockingham County School Board on Feb. 23 approved three routine but consequential items: the consent agenda, an E‑Rate-funded purchase of networking equipment, and school improvement plans for five elementary schools.

Gregory Gillette, the division's director of technology, told the board the division issued Request for Proposal ER-26-C2 for networking equipment using E‑Rate funds and received two sealed bids. "The lowest bidder was CDWG in the amount of $435,818.50," Gillette said. Superintendent Dr. Larry Shiflett recommended awarding the contract to the low bidder. A board member moved to follow the superintendent's recommendation; the board voted and the motion passed, 5‑0.

Sharon Martz, executive director of elementary education, presented Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) plans for five elementary schools identified by the state. She said the plans are required by the Virginia Department of Education and must be board‑approved before submission to the state. "The Virginia Department of Education requires school board approval of the plans before we submit them to the state," Martz said. The superintendent recommended approval; a board member moved to follow that recommendation, and the board approved the plans 5‑0. Board members noted that many interventions described in the plans were already underway and said the approval formalizes the paperwork required by the state.

Earlier in the meeting the board approved the consent agenda — which included minutes from Feb. 9, January bills and mileage, the personnel listing, and field trips — on a 5‑0 vote.

What happens next: The division will submit the approved TSI plans to the Virginia Department of Education for its review, and the technology purchase will proceed under the awarded contract and E‑Rate funding rules.