Special Committee hears proposal to retitle purchasing post to prepare for school procurement return

Chair Miguel Sanchez convened the Special Committee on Ways and Means to review the city’s proposed FY2027 departmental budgets, where staff presented the Purchasing Department’s operating plan and a staffing reclassification the administration says is preparatory for a possible school procurement transition.

Clerk (S2) told the committee that the Purchasing Department’s proposed FY2027 operating budget is $717,812, a $31,333 decrease from the FY2026 adopted budget. "The bulk of this decrease is in the benefits category," the clerk said, attributing the change to a new method of allocating active medical costs across groups.

The presentation included a personnel request to change the title of an unfunded position, described in the transcript as formerly the "purchasing health strategy manager," to "procurement strategist," and to move the grade from 12 to 16. Clerk (S2) said the change is "done in concert with work that we've been doing with Bloomberg and Harvard to prepare for the eventual return to local control of the school district." The clerk added that no funding is attached to the role at present because the city has not resumed local control of the schools.

Director (S9), who spoke about ongoing coordination with school procurement teams, said the department has been meeting monthly with school purchasing staff to understand processes and identify efficiency opportunities. "We track who has certification and what percentage of POs and contracts go to those vendors," Director (S9) said, describing efforts to reach W/MBE vendors and to translate bid materials into Spanish.

Committee members asked how quickly the city would need to act if a school‑return announcement came mid‑year. Staff responded that the administration would want to secure funding before hiring and would convene a frank discussion if timing shifted. "We don't necessarily want to hire someone and then not have work for them," Clerk (S2) said.

Aside from the potential title and grade change, staff also summarized operating and supply lines: modest discretionary supplies, a small reduction tied to a parking contract, and targeted increases to professional development to build capacity.

The committee entered several exhibits into the record during the meeting and continued discussion on other agenda items. No formal vote was recorded in the transcript to authorize hiring or to fund the reclassified position; members emphasized the proposal is preparatory and contingent on the schools’ return and on subsequent funding decisions.