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Carmichaels Area SD approves Chromebook replacements and $330,867 in curriculum purchases using ARP/ESSER funds
Summary
The board approved several purchases using federal ARP/ESSER funds, including Chromebook replacements to maintain a three-year lifecycle and curriculum purchases totaling about $330,867 (books and K–3 reading materials). One purchase was adopted on a 5–3 roll call after members questioned renewals and long-term budget impact.
Carmichaels Area SD’s board voted July 18 to use ARP/ESSER funds to replace Chromebooks and to purchase curricular materials, approving two sizable line items: $176,908.80 for current books and $153,958.83 for a K–3 reading curriculum and licensing (three-year materials).
Technology director Townsend told the board the Chromebook purchases were intended to preserve the district's three-year device cycle for middle- and high-school students; retired machines from those grades will be repurposed as spares for the elementary school, which currently uses older units. "This will allow us to replace all of the middle school students as well as all the high school students," Townsend said, noting funding limitations prevented full elementary replacement.
Board members asked whether the purchases represented recurring obligations and whether the district had a plan for renewals. A board member expressed concern that spending half a million dollars "just because it's a convenient to taking a test isn't a reason to spend $500,000," and sought clarity on the mix of state, grant and district funds. Staff said some purchases are ESSER-funded and that the state is encouraging online testing in future years; administrators said they were exploring grants to offset elementary-device needs.
The curricular-book purchase ($176,908.80) passed on a 5–3 roll call. The separate motion to approve $153,958.83 for K–3 reading curriculum and three years of associated licensing passed in a later vote; staff said that purchase covers textbooks and three years of workbooks and consumables to avoid repurchasing in the near term.
Board members requested follow-up details about contract durations, renewal plans and whether funds would revert if not spent by the grant deadlines. Administrators said some funds must be spent by September and that they will coordinate with consultants and legislators about longer-term funding for required online testing.
Next steps: staff to provide a renewal/maintenance plan and to pursue grant opportunities for elementary-device replacement.
