Richland Bean Blossom board approves handbook updates, AI guide, new positions and major technology purchases

At its May 19 meeting the Richland Bean Blossom Community School Corporation board approved a slate of administrative, staffing and technology measures the district said are necessary for the coming school year.

The board voted to approve updates to the 2026–27 classified handbook that clarified language and added a nutrition-services addendum and a maintenance/custodial addendum. Trustees also approved an "AI guide" intended to provide guardrails for teacher and student use of artificial‑intelligence tools; presenters described the document as a living policy that will be refined with teacher and student input.

Administrators won approval to create three new positions: a full‑time Multilanguage Learner interventionist (estimated district cost slightly under $33,000 compared with current part‑time staffing), an elementary registered nurse to increase on-site RN coverage, and a one‑period‑per‑day exercise-science teacher.

The board approved a four‑year ELA adoption for grades 6–8 with a contract price of $87,636; administrators said they negotiated a 60/40 payment split across two fiscal years to lessen one-year budget impact.

Two large technology procurements also passed. Technology staff recommended and trustees approved a Trafera bid for 1,800 elementary Chromebooks at $879,300, to be paid from 2024 general‑obligation bond proceeds; the district said the devices are at end-of-life and Google auto‑update support is expiring. The board also authorized a $190,188 purchase of 45 interactive, cart‑mounted 75‑inch monitors for elementary classrooms, which include built‑in computers and wireless connectivity to reduce installation disruptions.

Other operational items approved included a cloud‑based point‑of‑sale upgrade for Nutrition Services (first year $9,373, then $6,400 annually), membership in a food‑purchasing cooperative (K12/Click), and a lower‑cost menu/usage contract (Health e Pro). Several special‑education contracts were approved as well, including blind/low‑vision and orientation/mobility services with a contracted provider (Tommy Ro at $90/hour for direct services and $50/hour for consult) and a St. Joseph Institute agreement for spoken‑language services ($144/hour) aligned with IEP requirements.

Quotes and context: "The Chromebooks are pushing six years, so they're at their end of life," technology director Rick Routton told trustees while explaining the $879,300 bid. Superintendent Dr. Sanders said the AI guide was created with teacher leadership and student feedback and is expected to evolve as needs change.

Budget and funding: Trustees said the Chromebook and monitor purchases were planned in the district’s bond program and were part of previously adopted capital plans. Several board members emphasized budget constraints elsewhere — the assistant superintendent reported a 14.1% cut to the district’s federal Title I allocation, an item the administration said will affect staffing funded by that grant.

What’s next: Purchases and contracts approved on May 19 will move into procurement and implementation over the summer; vendors and department leads will coordinate deployment and training before the 2026–27 school year.