1. Science Course Fees and Procurement of Course Materials
Beth Keller
Secondary Programs
February 18, 2016

2. In Previous Years, Science Course Fees and Material Purchases Were Administered by Individual Schools
Individual high schools collected fees for science classes.
The course description guide listed fees for each specific high school science class.
For the school year, fees ranged from $20 to $30 per course, per student.
Students who qualified for free and reduced lunch were exempt from paying fees.
Some materials purchased with science fees were not directly related to science standards.
School level procedures did not include optimal purchase pricing.

3. In the Current School Year, Science Course Fees Were Eliminated and Material Purchases Were Centralized
No fees were collected from students.
Purchasing for all high schools was coordinated through Secondary Programs.
Orders were reviewed to confirm materials purchased were directly aligned with science pacing guides.
Vendors on the bid list are used whenever possible.
Pricing is vetted with multiple vendors.

4. Student Fees (Projected) Exceed Course Material Costs (for the 2015/2016 School Year)
Projected fees for science course materials: $100,720.74
Year-to-date science course material s cost: $37,030.14
Variance (Student Fees in Excess of Cost): $63,690.60
Cost of anticipated supplemental order: $10,000.00
Total cost of science course materials: $47,030.14
Net variance (Student Fees in Excess of Cost): $53,690.60
53.31%
Centralizing the procurement function for science and other course materials resulted in substantial efficiencies (and cost savings) when compared to projected cost of disaggregated vetting and procurement function

5. Plan for Ordering High School Science Materials in the 2016-2017 School Year
Continue to streamline and improve the ordering process.
Vendors vetted from the bid list will continue to be used.
Individual school orders will be processed by the ten month science specialists in each high school.
Orders will be directed to Secondary Programs for review.

6. Summary Parents/guardians no longer pay fee(s) for science classes.
The District is purchasing science materials and equipment at the competitive pricing.
Purchasing procedures have been streamlined to expedite time and delivery of science materials and equipment.