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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: July 14, 2020 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 3 <br /> SUBJECT: Resolution Regarding a Financing Agreement between Orange County <br /> Schools and J.P. Morgan to Provide Computers for Students <br /> DEPARTMENT: Finance and Administrative Services <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Attachment A. Resolution Paul Laughton, (919) 245-2152 <br /> Gary Donaldson, (919) 245-2453 <br /> Todd Jones, (919) 245-4100 <br /> PURPOSE: To adopt a resolution approving a financing agreement between Orange County <br /> Schools (OCS) and J.P. Morgan for the purchase of computers for students for FY 2020-24 to <br /> replace outdated and out of warranty equipment using a sustainable and predictable funding <br /> model. <br /> BACKGROUND: In 2012, OCS embarked on a 1:1 computer initiative, providing individually <br /> assigned laptops to each student in grades 3-12. Teachers were also assigned laptops to <br /> complement the District's instructional approach to include digital access. Teachers, <br /> administrators, instructional support staff, and most central office employees use a Windows <br /> laptop or desktop. <br /> In 2016, OCS refreshed its hardware used in the 1:1 program. Students from grades 3-12 were <br /> assigned individual Chromebooks and each classroom in grades K-2 was provided a cart of <br /> iPads. There were significant improvements provided by the 2016 refresh, including better <br /> performance, better security and greater ease of device management. <br /> The end of reasonable life for the devices purchased in 2016 has arrived. These devices have <br /> served students and staff well, but increasing hardware failure rates, the concomitant expiration <br /> of the warranty coverage and general expectations for device longevity have the District in need <br /> of device replacement for students and staff. <br /> With the unexpected coronavirus crisis and its significant impacts on instruction and operations, <br /> the District is more reliant than ever on reliable and portable technology for students and staff. <br /> Consequently, the need to ensure individually assigned technology is available to ALL students, <br /> including K-2, is acute. Similarly, staff reliance on portable technology to ensure remote work is <br /> efficient and effective has been increased significantly in this crisis. <br /> Working closely with the District's legal counsel, the District's Information Technology staff <br /> developed a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit bids in accordance with State and District <br />