School board approves purchase of computers

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/04/2024 (901 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Brandon School Division board of trustees approved more than $493,400 to purchase 625 laptop computers, 200 integrated pens and 200 desktop computers at its regular meeting on Monday.

The laptop computers and integrated pens total $365,346.75 plus taxes, with an additional $130,056 allocated from the 2023-24 operating budget for the desktop computers.

Trustee Duncan Ross, speaking on behalf of the finance and facilities committee, recommended the acceptance of a tender from Powerland Computers Ltd. to supply the devices, noting the urgent need for replacements.

“The computers being replaced are between eight to 12 years old,” Ross said, underlining the necessity for updated technology infrastructure within the division.

The trustees voted unanimously in favour of Ross’s recommendations, acknowledging the essential role technology plays in modern education.

Supt. Mathew Gustafson, in a separate discussion, presented updates on the Brandon School Division Risk Response Plan, highlighting the plan’s evolution, which now employs an incident command system and an all-hazards approach, allowing for efficient management of various emergencies.

“The division crafted its initial risk response plan in 2002 to offer schools guidance in handling emergencies and environmental threats and was slated for completion in the 2019-20 school year,” Gustafson told the trustees. “However, due to the outbreak of the pandemic and the subsequent shift in focus towards pandemic responses at both the divisional and school levels, the review process for the plan was delayed.”

The updated plan, he said, addresses various scenarios, such as bomb threats, bus accidents, fires and explosions, hazardous materials incidents (airborne and indoors), medical emergencies, security threats (inside and outside of schools) and utility failures.

He emphasized the importance of proactive planning to ensure the safety and security of students and staff.

Gustafson also outlined steps taken to address identified areas for improvement, including the creation of site-specific security frameworks and updated school maps drawn to scale. The division plans to implement swipe cards and key security systems to enhance campus safety.

“The anticipated costs will be funded through existing budget lines,” he said.

Ross also moved for the approval of a service purchase agreement between Prairie Mountain Health and Brandon School Division for speech-language services.

Secretary-treasurer Denis Labossiere said the preschool speech program aims to deliver speech and language services to children and their families through a community-based partnership between the parties.

“This collaboration is geared towards enhancing efficiency, access and the quality of services for preschool children while facilitating their continuity and transition into the public school system,” Labossiere said in the report presented on Monday.

“Its objectives include reducing the need for long-term educational support through early intervention and increasing the number of preschool children receiving necessary speech-language programs and services to enhance school readiness among others.”

The board unanimously approved the motion, solidifying the partnership between the school division and health region in delivering essential speech-language services.

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

» X: @AbiolaOdutola