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Board approves multi‑year curriculum and tech purchases; technology refresh and firewall renewals pass after debate
Summary
The board approved $3.69 million in 10‑year curriculum contracts for K–5 math, Spanish and German, authorized a classroom technology refresh (~380 classrooms) that passed 4–3, and renewed district firewall/cybersecurity services (motion passed 6–1).
The Poudre School District board approved three major procurement items on March 10.
Curriculum adoptions (Action 10.1): The board approved multi‑year purchases for K–5 curriculum: a ten‑year print and digital math adoption from Curriculum Associates for $3,440,029.46; a ten‑year Spanish curriculum digital purchase from Comprehensive Classroom for $201,003; and German curriculum materials from Wayside for $47,658.65, for a combined total of $3,688,688.11. Board members said the adoption process included extensive teacher review (staff reported over 2,000 hours of teacher time in evaluation) and that the purchases aim to reduce long‑term renewal costs compared with continuing older materials.
Classroom technology refresh (Action 10.2): The board discussed a front‑of‑classroom display refresh covering roughly 380 classrooms in the current cycle as part of an ongoing eight‑year refresh plan. Chief Technology Officer Bud Hunt described the project as a maintenance‑level investment to reach district standards for interactive displays and audio functionality; the recommended general fund allocation is approximately $800,000. Directors questioned timing given the district’s consolidation planning; staff noted the equipment is movable and that pausing refresh cycles creates backlog and increased future costs. The motion passed 4–3.
Firewall/cybersecurity renewal (Action 10.3): The board approved an approximately $375,320 renewal for district firewall and cybersecurity services. Staff emphasized the cybersecurity functions—URL threat interruption, malware detection and remote‑access protections—and noted the district expects an E‑rate reimbursement for a portion of the cost; board members probed vendor contract choice‑of‑law clauses and legal risk. The motion passed 6–1.
Votes and outcomes: Curriculum motion passed unanimously (7–0). The technology refresh passed 4–3. The firewall renewal passed 6–1. Several board members asked staff to clarify funding sources (mill levy vs. general fund) and to continue public explanation of procurement decisions while the district works through budget pressures.
