ART - PurchasingOverview -VendorConference 2003

The document is the minutes of a Continuous Improvement Team meeting that took place on May 2, 2003. The attendees of the meeting were Pat Abbot, Marge Brady, Chris Beatty, Wilma Gibbs-Matthews, Tommie Goodgames, and Tom Grindle. The meeting discussed various topics related to the school system's operations. One of the topics discussed was the use of online contracts for ordering office furniture. It was mentioned that Brown Office Systems is now an online vendor for this purpose. Another topic discussed was the purchase of cell phones and cell phone contracts. Chris Beatty expressed concern about taxes being charged to the school system for cell phone purchases and unauthorized purchases made by principals. It was decided to inform principals to only purchase from board-approved companies and to send a memo regarding their responsibility for calls that exceed the plan. A cell phone committee was formed to address these issues. The current copier contracts were found to be satisfactory, and a committee was formed to purchase new copiers. An office supplies contract committee was also formed. The committee discussed customer service and concluded that it was providing good service. The school system planned to upgrade its existing software systems to avoid the need for employee training on a new purchasing software program. New guidelines were to be set for the P-card (purchasing card) due to unauthorized purchases. It was suggested that a board policy should be in place to reprimand employees for such purchases. The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 am.