HCPS FL Logo Business
Information Item
DATE: Tuesday, September 8, 2015
TO: School Board Members
FROM: Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Information Regarding the Florida Classroom Supply Assistance Program (Business 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. For the last few years, we have issued direct deposits or checks through our Payroll Department. This year with the assistance of Regions Bank and Office Depot we will provide a program with added benefits.

Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) will offer teachers a virtual VISA credit card with a unique number that can be used to settle online purchase transactions. The virtual credit card will have a 16-digit account number, a 3-digit CVV number, and an expiration date of December 31, 2015.  It will be delivered to teachers through a secure desk top 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 thought in mind, HCPS has set up a special Office Depot web site, which provides the following advantages:

  • The convenience of web site ordering from an HCPS established supplier
  • Tax-free purchases, with no shipping charges, delivered to a teacher’s school
  • The ability to purchase discounted products from a national purchasing cooperative agreement
  • HCPS will capture and retain IRS required receipts, saving teachers the time and effort
  • HCPS will provide Office Depot with the 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
• Align financial resources to support the district's strategic goals
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funding of $3,426,541 for this program is budgeted and available.
EVALUATION
SUBMITTED BY:  Jean Bowman, General Manager, Procurement Department
    Gretchen Saunders

  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    A 10.02
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20150908_700 (Board Meeting followed by Public Hearing) * Section A Item# 10.02