Board approves consent items including iPad replacement; CFO recommends audit contract extension

At its March 9 meeting the Chelsea School District board approved the consent agenda and reviewed two recurring procurement items brought for information and approval.

Technology director Ryan presented a third‑ and eighth‑grade iPad replacement purchase that is part of the district’s device replacement cycle; staff said the district staggers replacements so students receive devices for five years. The total purchase cost presented to the board was $194,628.75, which the packet said would be funded largely from the 2019 bond (approximately $184,003.75) with $10,625 from the general technology budget. The purchase includes iPads, protective cases, headphone adapters and mobile device management licenses. Ryan said device lifecycle planning schedules replacements on a five‑year cycle and staff solicits bids from vendors when devices become available for resale.

CFO Nicole Lechner recommended extending auditing services with Gabbridge and Company for three years, noting the district switched to that firm after earlier concerns with timeliness from the prior auditor. The packet showed proposed fees of $34,000, $35,000 and $36,000 for the next three years and noted a potential $3,000 reduction if a federal single audit is not required. Nicole said Gabbridge has been responsive and helpful with ad‑hoc questions and that the firm assisted the district with accounting advice related to the fieldhouse donations.

The consent agenda (which included routine minutes approvals and other consent items) carried on a voice vote earlier in the meeting; specific roll‑call vote totals were not recorded in the transcript.