Scott Gilbert

The meeting agenda includes the election of Executive Board members and the review of membership applications for Ridgedale Local Schools, Sandusky City Schools, and Sheffield-Sheffield Lake City Schools. The board will discuss various purchasing programs, including air filters, classroom and office supplies, copy paper, energy savings initiatives, insurance services, and transportation supplies. The Director's report covers financial updates, the upcoming general membership meeting schedule, and Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies matters. Additionally, the agenda addresses district information updates and preparations for the annual educational vendor fair.

The meeting included a presentation on design-build cooperative purchasing and facility renovation projects. Membership requests for two local school organizations were approved. Program reports provided updates on air filter pricing, carpet tile contract extensions, classroom supply pricing, copy paper procurement, and the next steps for the design-build and performance contracting services RFQ process. Additionally, the council reviewed food service updates, insurance team progress, liability and property insurance renewals, transportation supply extensions, natural gas market hedging strategies, safety training opportunities, and the general operating fund financial report. Announcements included information on AED maintenance and the upcoming annual educational vendor fair.

The regular meeting included approval of committee program reports via consent motion. Discussions covered the extension of Air Filters pricing until June 30, 2026, and the extension of the Classroom & Office Supplies program until January 31, 2027, with current vendors and utilization of AEPA pricing. Updates were provided on Cloud Communication Systems features available through Nebula Solutions. The Copy Paper Program extension through February 28th was noted, including pricing comparisons and discount/rebate structures. Legal counsel is negotiating an agreement with AGM Energy Services to serve as the Design Build Criteria Engineer, with related presentations planned for the March 10, 2026 meeting. Food Service updates covered Buy American and administrative review processes. The Insurance team is managing post-open enrollment cleanup and commencing 2027 projections analysis. Updates were shared regarding LED Lighting & Energy Savings Programs and Liability Fleet & Property Insurance renewal efforts. New bus bids, valid through March 1, 2026, were reviewed, showing an average price increase since 2018. Utility comparisons included electricity prices and natural gas hedge history. Spring Safety Training dates are forthcoming for Workers' Compensation. The financial report indicated a General Fund balance of $1,105,422.24 as of December 31, 2025. Additionally, members were notified that charge paks and adult pads for LP CR Plus AEDs will be discontinued in February 2026, with rebate opportunities for returns.

The Southwestern Ohio Educational Purchasing Council convened for a regular meeting where several key topics were addressed. A presentation was given by Retire Med iQ on retirement health insurance plans. Membership applications from Bluffton Exempted Village Schools, Continental Local Schools, and the Global Village Academy were approved pending Executive Board approval. An extension of classroom and office supply pricing with current vendors is being considered. Fine paper pricing with Office Depot, Sterling Paper, and Veritiv was extended through March 31, 2020. The EPC Liability, Fleet & Property Insurance members met to discuss their upcoming renewal, and the program's net cash position increased significantly. An awarded bid for security cameras to Konica Minolta was announced. Updates on transportation, utilities, and worker's compensation were provided, including the availability of bus bid documents and results on the EPC website, the hedging of natural gas prices, and a review of the general operating fund's financial summary. Information on AED's and the AEPA conference was also shared.

The Southwestern Ohio Educational Purchasing Council held a meeting to discuss various topics. The meeting included the election of executive board members and the adoption of an amendment to the constitution regarding the frequency of general membership meetings. Committee reports covered audio visual resources, carpet tiles, classroom supplies, cloud communication systems, custodial supplies and air filters, fine paper, and food service agreements. Discussions also included furniture discounts, insurance updates, LED lighting and energy savings programs, liability insurance, library books, medical supplies, paint pricing, security cameras, transportation, vehicles, and utilities. The council also reviewed the financial report, AED pricing, and AEPA promotions. The annual EPC Educational Vendor Fair was canceled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.