HCPS FL Logo Business Services
Information Item
DATE: Tuesday, August 29, 2017
TO: School Board Members
FROM: Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Information Regarding the 2017/2018 Florida Classroom Supply Assistance Program (Business Services Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Florida legislature appropriates funds for classroom teachers to purchase classroom materials and supplies for the public school students assigned to them.  Florida Statute 1012.71 allows districts to provide teachers their share by any means the district feels appropriate.

In previous years, with the assistance of Regions Bank and Office Depot, we introduced a new virtual VISA credit card program with excellent results, earning a combined rebate from Regions and Office Depot of over $61,000.  Therefore, Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) will, once again, offer teachers a virtual VISA credit card that can be used to settle online purchase transactions.  It will be delivered to teachers through a secure desktop icon.

Florida Statute 1012.71(6) states, "district school boards may, and are encouraged to, enter into public-private partnerships in order to increase the total amount of Florida Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Program funds available to classroom teachers."  With that said, HCPS will again partner with Office Depot to set up a special website, providing the following advantages:  (1) The convenience of website ordering from an HCPS established supplier; (2) Tax-free purchases, with no shipping charges, delivered to a teacher's school; (3) The ability to purchase discounted products from a national purchasing cooperative agreement; (4) HCPS will capture and retain IRS required receipts, saving teachers the time and effort; and (5) HCPS will upload teachers' individualized virtual credit card numbers, if they choose to utilize this offering.

It is not mandatory that teachers purchase through Office Depot, however, other internet providers will not be able to provide tax savings or guarantee free shipping, and teachers will be responsible for submitting purchase receipts.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Establish a strong foundation of financial stewardship
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funds in the amount of $3,457,728 for this program have been received and are available.
EVALUATION
The virtual VISA credit card program continues to provide teachers with an efficient means of purchasing supplies for their classrooms from funds allocated by the Florida Classroom Supply Assistance Program. 
SUBMITTED BY:  Corey A. Murphy, General Manager, Procurement Services
Kenneth Gerhart, Manager, Procurement Cards
Pamela Hendriksen, Manager, Payroll
Gretchen Saunders   Dr. Alberto Vázquez
Chief Operating Officer
(813) 272-4270
  Chief of Staff
(813) 272-4986
    C 13.02
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20170829_818 (Board Meeting) * Section C Item# 13.02