Union Public Schools

Routine Issues Take Center Stage at Board Meeting

With no major issues facing the Board of Education Monday night, Board members approved a number of routine matters, including the renewal of an agreement with Constellation New Energy Gas Division, LLC., for natural gas services.

Last month, Board members approved a blanket purchase order from Constellation and ONG. This new decision allows for the continued purchase of third-party natural gas.

David Young, director of Purchasing, explained, “Historically, the district has experienced a significant savings by purchasing natural gas from a third-party natural gas provider. For example, in 2019-2020, the district avoided an estimated $97,000 in natural gas expense using the third-party natural gas contract over the Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG) Tariff rate. Currently, the District has 21 meters qualifying for third-party natural gas.”

For gas meters that do not qualify for third-party gas (not high enough volume), the district must purchase the gas from ONG, based on the current tariff rate. All gas is delivered by ONG.

In other action, the Board:

Approved the purchase of a subscription for $62,185 from Ellevation for a web-based software platform that organizes all English Learning student data, supports critical meeting and monitoring processes, enables accurate reporting and supports instructional planning for multilingual students.
Teachers use the software to review student proficiency levels and accommodations, monitor student progress, and create student goals, and house EL student’s language instruction education plans. This purchase will make the feature available to all teachers and administrators and includes online training.
Approved the renewal of the Home Base, Boulevard and ZPass systems through Zonar for $103,578 for GPS tracking on district vehicles and buses. ZPass System is where the students scan their cards, and it verifies if they are on the correct bus. The cost for a two-year renewal is $103,578.00 and will be paid through bond funds.
Approved budget agreements with Family and Children’s Services for Head Start and OECP classrooms at the Rosa Parks Early Childhood Education Center.
Approved the renewal of a 2-year subscription to Edgenuity for digital curriculum software, funded by bond funds.
Approved the purchase of software for $18,750 from Panorama Education for Union’s new Hope-Guidance-Social and Emotional Learning Department.
Approved an agreement with Language Line Services to provide telephone translation/interpreting services at a cost of $15,000.
Approved an agreement with Franklin Covey Client Sales, Inc., for Leader In Me coaching services for professional development at both Rosa Parks and McAuliffe Elementary Schools.
Approved a license with Home Builders Institute for the construction class at the Union High School Freshman Academy for $3,500. This class was first offered to freshmen last fall.