Joseph G. Amato

The board is requested to approve piggybacking on School District of Polk County, Florida RFP #025-MDW-1122 for Alternative Student Transportation Services, which was awarded to HopSkipDrive. This includes approving the purchase of services for an estimated $225,000.00. The partnership with HopSkipDrive aims to remove transportation barriers for homeless students, increase their attendance, and improve their academic achievement by providing transportation services while a school bus is being arranged. ESSER III funds will cover the costs.

The meeting included a discussion regarding the adoption and purchase of instructional materials for elementary and secondary schools, specifically for Spanish, French, and Physical Education courses, aligned with Florida Standards. The approval covers the issuance of purchase orders to Florida School Book Depository and multiple vendors, with an approximate budget of $350,000 for the 2015-16 school year.

Approval for the purchase of goods and services from Curriculum Associates was requested. The i-Ready program, which includes a diagnostic for reading and math for students in Grades K-8, was a key component. The program is intended to determine instructional supports needed, meet dyslexia screener requirements, provide an alternate assessment for third-grade promotion, and inform schools about students needing additional intervention. The total amount requested is not to exceed $1,409,930.00, which includes the attached quote of $632,790.50 and other materials and services that schools and the district may purchase using Federal or Internal funds in the 2024-2025 school year.

The board is requested to approve the purchase of goods and services from Curriculum Associates, specifically the iReady program, which includes diagnostics for reading and math for students in Grades K-8. The program meets the requirements of a dyslexia screener, provides an alternate assessment for third-grade promotion, and helps identify students needing additional intervention through the MTSS process. The purchase also includes a teacher toolbox with instructional resources aligned to Florida B.E.S.T. standards and an online instructional path tailored to individual student needs. Additional supplemental materials may be purchased using State/Federal Funds in the 2023-2024 school year.

The board is requested to approve the purchase of Imagine Learning Online and Credit Recovery courses. The purchase is authorized under DOE Florida Administrative code and applicable Florida Statutes, to provide credit recovery courses to students who need to retake courses to meet promotion or graduation requirements.