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After questions and concerns had been addressed, the Churchill County School District Board of Trustees voted Thursday to award a $295,000 technology contract to local provider Oasis Online.
The move shifts technology support from being a school district department to a private company for the next 18 months.
Oasis Online owner Bill Slentz, who served on the school board between 1994 and 1998, assured the board he would do whatever it takes to keep district computers up and running.
"I have children and grandchildren in this community. There will be enough people to get the job done," Slentz said, assuring officials that Oasis has sufficient staff to handle more than 1,000 computers used in the school district.
Slentz said there were 170 documented problems submitted in August. That number has been reduced to 15 after Oasis Online brought in four full-time technicians to fix computers, he said. He promised to assign as many technicians as needed to the school district.
Dr. Carolyn Ross, director of instructional services, said the contract covers the school district 24 hours a day and seven days a week. She said Oasis hired a firewall expert to address some of the problems experienced on the district's computer systems.
"You can consider this a not-to-exceed contract," she told board members.
The school district did not put the technology contract out to bid. Ross said it is considered "an uniquely qualified" contract, which does not require a bid process. A request for proposal was sent to five companies, with three responding.
IQ Systems of Reno offered to handle technology for the district for $219,600, which did not include travel time. CC Communications submitted a bid for $378,000.
A technology committee listened to presentations from all three companies and unanimously recommended Oasis Online.
Currently, the school district only has one computer technician who is on the job. Another technician is on leave.
Teacher Becky Dodd worried about the district's needs being met by Oasis Online.
"Last year we had three technicians running ragged," she said.
Gregg Malkovich, human resource director, said he isn't worried about the level of service Oasis Online will provide.
"I really feel confident we'll get good service and help tickets will be kept to a minimum," he said.
By contracting with the outside company, the school district is expected to save $21,302 in its technology department. The computer technicians currently employed by the school district will now work for Oasis Online, saving the district the cost of benefits and worker's compensation.
Although the technology contract covers 18 months, it will be reviewed in one year.
Marlene Garcia can be contacted at mgarcia@lahontanvalleynews.com
The move shifts technology support from being a school district department to a private company for the next 18 months.
Oasis Online owner Bill Slentz, who served on the school board between 1994 and 1998, assured the board he would do whatever it takes to keep district computers up and running.
"I have children and grandchildren in this community. There will be enough people to get the job done," Slentz said, assuring officials that Oasis has sufficient staff to handle more than 1,000 computers used in the school district.
Slentz said there were 170 documented problems submitted in August. That number has been reduced to 15 after Oasis Online brought in four full-time technicians to fix computers, he said. He promised to assign as many technicians as needed to the school district.
Dr. Carolyn Ross, director of instructional services, said the contract covers the school district 24 hours a day and seven days a week. She said Oasis hired a firewall expert to address some of the problems experienced on the district's computer systems.
"You can consider this a not-to-exceed contract," she told board members.
The school district did not put the technology contract out to bid. Ross said it is considered "an uniquely qualified" contract, which does not require a bid process. A request for proposal was sent to five companies, with three responding.
IQ Systems of Reno offered to handle technology for the district for $219,600, which did not include travel time. CC Communications submitted a bid for $378,000.
A technology committee listened to presentations from all three companies and unanimously recommended Oasis Online.
Currently, the school district only has one computer technician who is on the job. Another technician is on leave.
Teacher Becky Dodd worried about the district's needs being met by Oasis Online.
"Last year we had three technicians running ragged," she said.
Gregg Malkovich, human resource director, said he isn't worried about the level of service Oasis Online will provide.
"I really feel confident we'll get good service and help tickets will be kept to a minimum," he said.
By contracting with the outside company, the school district is expected to save $21,302 in its technology department. The computer technicians currently employed by the school district will now work for Oasis Online, saving the district the cost of benefits and worker's compensation.
Although the technology contract covers 18 months, it will be reviewed in one year.
Marlene Garcia can be contacted at mgarcia@lahontanvalleynews.com
