Blue Valley board approves contracts for fuel, tech support, food services, social workers and staffing providers

The Blue Valley Board of Education on June 8 authorized a package of contracts covering district operations and student supports.

Contracts approved (motions passed by voice votes, recorded as passing): - Assignment and assumption of a purchase and sale agreement with 159th and Metcaf LLC (presented by Melissa Hillman). - World Fuel Services (doing business as Carter Energy) for district vehicle and bus fuel delivery (year four of five). Jake Lebodnik said the district expects fuel‑related expenses to rise from an estimated $650,000 last year to about $800,000 this year. "Expenses go up," a board member observed during Q&A. - MC Electric and SRS Enterprises (Core Electric), year two of five for electrical services; presenters reported satisfactory service. - Tech Cycle Solutions and Synetic Technologies for on‑site repair of staff and student devices (year two of three) as recommended by executive director of technology Ken Corser. - CNC Produce for 2026–27 produce supply (year one of three) as the lowest responsible bidder; the presented estimate was $678,000, with payments made as goods are delivered. - An Amazon Business district purchasing account, projected annual sales of about $1.5 million, intended to centralize purchasing and achieve cost savings. - Children's Mercy Hospital to provide approximately 34 social workers district‑wide; Dr. Mark Schmidt described the program as one of the district's most valuable student‑centered initiatives and said contracting preserves connections with Children's Mercy for professional learning. Board members asked whether hiring employees directly would save money; Dr. Schmidt said direct hiring might yield small savings for individual positions but would lose programmatic connections. - Corporate Cleaning Group (year five) to support custodial services at elementary sites as needed amid hiring challenges. - Risk Strategies (property insurance) covering about $1 billion in district building assets; the cost is charged to the general operating fund. - Zen Educate expandable contract to increase contract para capacity from 15 to 50 to staff high‑need special education positions; staff noted filling open paras will raise actual spend toward budgeted levels but that the contract is cost‑neutral compared with internal hires.

Board discussion highlighted operational continuity and budget impacts. On fuel pricing, the district uses an index (e.g., NAX) plus per‑gallon fees; the administration reported the estimated fuel spend increase from $650,000 to $800,000. On social work services, Dr. Schmidt emphasized the value of Children's Mercy partnership and said state changes to a particular MHIT program affected district eligibility for supplemental state funding.

All contracts presented on the floor were approved; motions were typically moved and seconded by board members and passed by voice vote.

What happens next: contracts will be finalized with minor legal edits as noted in motions; departments will proceed with implementation in the 2026–27 fiscal and academic year.