Board ratifies BSN Sports expenditures and authorizes $300,000 under cooperative Omnia contract amid questions about prior spending

The Bibb County Board of Education ratified prior expenditures made with BSN Sports and authorized a new contract for up to $300,000 under the Omnia cooperative purchasing agreement.

Kevin Grooms (district athletics) and procurement staff explained that the district had used a cooperative (Omnia) contract structure and, in some cases, a rebate program that blurred the sourcing distinction. Board members pressed for clear explanation of why spending rose sharply in past years, what had been purchased and whether prices were appropriate. Administration said purchases largely covered athletic uniforms, equipment and expansion of offerings across middle and high schools; they described ongoing efforts to standardize purchasing and issue a full solicitation to provide opportunities to local vendors.

A motion to split the action into two votes (ratification of past expenditures and approval of future contract authority) passed. The ratification vote passed in committee and later passed in new business; the board also approved spending $300,000 under the Omnia cooperative agreement to allow athletics staff to acquire fall-sports equipment while procurement completes a broader solicitation. Several board members expressed concern about the appearance of purchases being made before a fully executed district contract and requested greater procurement transparency going forward.

The ratification vote was recorded by the board as passing (committee had 6 to 1 earlier; the subsequent new-business ratification vote passed with a board majority). Procurement said they would return with clarified contract language and a plan to solicit competitively for future years.