Caledonia board approves Chromebooks, preschool furniture and HVAC contract; names four to KIASB board

The Caledonia Community Schools Board approved a slate of purchases and an appointment during its April regular meeting. Trustees voted to buy 1,100 student Chromebooks and Google licenses from CWDG for $345,750, approve a $93,641 contract to replace the boiler system at Paris Ridge Elementary (with associated HVAC controls), and contract with Lakeshore Learning for preschool furniture at a cost listed as $189,905.12.

Board business began with a motion to approve the slate of KIASB board nominations. A trustee moved that the board select Anne Hamming, Kelly Kermode, Aaron Levats and Bill Saxton to fill four of six vacancies on that board; the motion passed on a roll call vote.

Regarding technology, a trustee said the district is following an annual replacement cycle for Chromebooks and that the purchase will be funded from the general fund, not through bonding. The board approved the technology purchase on roll call.

On facilities, trustees approved the Paris Ridge boiler replacement contract after members noted the successful bid was roughly $50,000 below the next-lowest vendor. Superintendent comments accompanying the motion stated the district already has a boiler on order.

The board also cleared a Lakeshore Learning contract to procure, deliver and install preschool furniture; the superintendent said the district is working with Kent ISD to potentially obtain some existing furniture, which could reduce the final cost. Trustees approved the contract on a roll call vote.

What happens next: the superintendent and staff said the district will return any items that require further bidding or final contractor details to the board at a subsequent meeting; the board workshop on April 27 was listed on the calendar as the next related convening.