August 3, 2020 at 12:00 PM - Special

Description: 
Background: TEA has made $200,000,000 available from the State's CARES funding to support a 50% cost match for a bulk purchase of student mobile devices and cellular hotspots to support remote learning for economically disadvantaged students. This program is being administered for TEA by Region IV ESC.

On July 18th, CFB filled out a survey sent out from the TEA Operation Connectivity Task Force and indicated that we would be interested in purchasing 13,022 Chromebooks, 3,700 iPads, and 500 additional hotspots through this 50/50 cost match opportunity to replace aging student devices and provide additional hotspot connectivity.  We are eligible for up to 1 device and 1 hotspot for each economically disadvantaged student in CFBISD. The estimated cost for this purchase is approximately $5,000,000 with CFB required to pay for 50% of that. 

Monday July 27th, TEA held a Webinar where it was announced that to participate in this funding opportunity the district will need to submit an Interlocal Agreement, signed by the Board, no later than August 4th. 

Recommendation:  It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approves the purchase as presented.