Committee debates Chromebooks, library weeding and a new procurement approach to cut costs

The finance committee discussed curriculum spending, Chromebook purchases for early grades and photographs a board member said show books in dumpsters.

Megan, who appeared for curriculum, said most elementary instruction remains direct, not device-led, and that technology is used selectively; she added many curriculum resources now have online components and that the district must ensure students can access those resources. "By third grade, the state requires us to give the PSSAs online," Megan said, arguing some device access is necessary for testing and instructional adaptation.

A board member raised pictures allegedly showing brand-new or unopened library books in a dumpster and asked whether the district was wasting purchases. Megan responded that the district follows a written library-weeding procedure, offers removed books first to local partners (libraries, prisons, resource centers) and sells or gives away books at events before disposal. She also said the library-book budget is roughly $500 per building, and that larger curriculum numbers include consumable student materials such as math workbooks, not just library purchases.

Staff announced procurement changes intended to cut cost and waste: instead of pre-purchasing and storing large inventories in a district warehouse, the business office will secure vendor discount agreements and have schools order as needed; the warehouse will be retained for custodial and food-service storage. Bids for supplies and services are due April 13 with a public opening April 14; staff said the revised approach should reduce rehandling, losses and unnecessary stock.

Next steps: Staff will provide more detailed breakdowns (including the portion of curriculum buys covered by Title funds versus general fund) and said they will continue refining budget line items by school so the committee can identify targeted reductions.