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Votes at a glance: cybersecurity contract, Schoolyard RAP, and donations approved; several vendor contracts tabled
Summary
At its Jan. 14 meeting the board approved a Microsoft Defender cybersecurity contract (cost savings ~ $27,000), approved the Schoolyard RAP spring/summer contract, and accepted multiple donations; the board tabled UC Merced Bobcat and UC Merced Caltech contract items pending standardized guidance on startup costs.
The Merced City School District board took several formal actions on Jan. 14: it approved a cybersecurity contract, approved an enrichment vendor contract, accepted community donations, and tabled two sizable vendor contracts for additional review.
Approved items
- Microsoft Defender cybersecurity contract: Staff recommended replacing the district’s existing CrowdStrike contract with Microsoft Defender for the contract period Feb. 1, 2026–Jan. 31, 2027, citing automated threat detection and an estimated cost savings of just under $27,000; trustees approved the purchase by voice vote.
- Schoolyard RAP spring and summer contract: The board approved a Schoolyard RAP contract for both spring (African American affinity group; up to 100 students per day) and a summer ‘‘Spooky RAP’’ camp, with packet values cited up to about $120,000 and $150,000 respectively. Trustees asked questions about minimum-enrollment guarantees and program components before approving the item.
- Gifts, grants and bequests: The board accepted multiple donations to support district events and services, including in-kind donations (food and clothing) and a $1,000 monetary donation; acceptance was approved by voice vote.
Tabled items
- UC Merced Bobcat Summer Academy contract (agenda 12a): proposed service for up to 600 students at a contract value of $263,640; trustees requested uniform guidance on vendor startup costs (packet cited $87,882) and tabled the item for return with legal and subcommittee input.
- UC Merced Caltech tutors (18-month contract): proposed contract value up to $374,790; trustees flagged startup-cost language in the packet (cited at $93,697.50) and asked staff to return with standardized language and legal direction.
Why it matters: the board is balancing program access for students with fiscal stewardship and vendor equity; staff will bring clarified procurement language before the board considers further contracts.
