Board approves laptops and Chromebooks, and awards Bell Roofing contract for Marquette Senior High

The Marquette Area Public Schools board voted March 23 to approve recommended technology purchases and to award a roof replacement contract.

Technology Director Ellie Gladwell told the board the district is proposing an early purchase to avoid a 40—60% expected price increase when new vendor contracts take effect in April. "This year, we are looking to order 60 staff laptops," she said, and "for the Chromebooks, we are looking at $119,050, for a total of $152,723.80." Gladwell described a five-year replacement cycle for staff laptops and a program to issue Chromebooks to sixth graders and rotate one elementary grade each year.

A board member moved to approve the laptop and Chromebook purchases as recommended; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

Separately, the board considered a single bid from Bell Roofing to replace roofs at Marquette Senior High School, the auxiliary services bus garage and the maintenance facility. Isaac Roberts, the district's owner's representative from GEI, noted the proposal includes an alternate for a canopy roof drain and a 5% contingency for unforeseen conditions. The board moved to accept the proposal and awarded the contract to Bell Roofing Company; the motion passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of laptop and Chromebook purchases: motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote). Cost presented: $33,673.80 (60 staff laptops) and $119,050 (500 Chromebooks); total $152,723.80. - Award of roof replacement contract to Bell Roofing Company for Marquette Senior High School, auxiliary services bus garage and maintenance facility: motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote). Bid included a 5% contingency and an alternate for a canopy drain.

Next steps: administration will proceed with ordering devices and execute the roofing contract according to district procurement procedures.