Gulfport School District Packet Summary — 2026-08-03
Meeting: Gulfport School District Board Meeting - Aug 03, 2026
Scheduled: Monday, August 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Palmer-Dukes Board Room
The Board of Trustees is scheduled to consider a large consent agenda covering technology purchases, school safety, instructional programs, athletics, facilities, agreements, personnel, and financial matters. The packet also includes June financial reports and informational items from the superintendent.
Key Items on the Agenda
Districtwide Weapons Detection Systems
Operations recommends purchasing three OpenGate weapons detection systems from Communications Technologies, Inc. for $73,461.00. A second quote from Oeia USA totals $80,375.00, and district funds are proposed for the purchase.
The recommended package includes three detection units, batteries, chargers, support equipment, transport kits, shipping, and initial training. The vendor estimates delivery four to eight weeks after receiving a deposit or purchase order.
School Resource Officer Agreement
The superintendent recommends renewing the district's law-enforcement agreement with the City of Gulfport and Gulfport Police Department for October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. The agreement would provide up to eight uniformed officers, including one supervisor, to serve as school resource officers.
The annual cost is not to exceed $583,041.73, excluding certain additional costs described in the agreement. Two officers would be assigned to the high school, one to each middle school, with remaining officers providing response coverage for the Learning Center and elementary schools. The agreement specifies that SROs are not to serve as school disciplinarians or use police authority for traditional nonviolent school-discipline matters.
Updated Crisis and Emergency Operations Plan
The board is scheduled to consider the district's 2026-2027 Comprehensive District Crisis and Emergency Operations Plan. The packet says the plan has been extensively revised to align with Mississippi Department of Education requirements and applicable state law.
The proposed plan addresses severe weather, active threats, hazardous materials, public-health emergencies, and facility incidents. It also includes family reunification planning, required safety drills, facility access controls, staff training, and coordination with local police, fire, emergency-management, and other first responders.
Major Financial and Technology Items
520 Chromebooks — $314,808.00
Technology staff requests approval to purchase 520 Acer Chromebook 511T touchscreen devices from Howard Technology Solutions for $314,808.00, using federal and district funds. The devices are intended for classroom instruction, online learning, and assessments.
The packet says the district evaluated multiple proposals under Mississippi IT Hardware EPO 4671. Staff recommends Howard's touchscreen Acer option based on compliance, warranty and accidental-damage protection, district familiarity with Acer equipment, and overall value. The procurement materials call for funds to be obligated by September 30, 2026, fully liquidated by December 1, 2026, with required delivery on or before November 1, 2026.
Additional Computers for West Elementary and District Use
The board is also scheduled to consider:
- 32 Acer Chromebook Plus Spin devices for West Elementary — $36,416.00. Federal funds would support the purchase through the MS RESA Bulk Purchasing Upgrade and Sustainability Program.
- 41 desktop computers. Technology staff recommends a purchase for instructional, online-learning, and assessment needs using federal and district funds. The packet includes a multi-vendor evaluation under IT Hardware EPO 4671 and requests flexibility to move to alternative quotes if pricing or inventory changes before purchase.
ACT Assessments — $62,697.50
Instructional Programs recommends a $62,697.50 sole-source purchase of ACT assessments using district funds. The proposed testing includes:
- PreACT 8/9 for seventh- and eighth-grade students — $18,450.00
- PreACT for freshmen — $8,820.00
- ACT WorkKeys for seniors — $15,187.50
- ACT for sophomores — $20,240.00
The packet describes the assessments as tools for measuring college and career readiness and supporting academic and career planning.
FY27 Ad Valorem Tax Request
The Chief Financial Officer recommends approval of the district's FY27 ad valorem request to the City of Gulfport for the fiscal year running July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027:
- District Maintenance — $24,619,515.61
- Three Mill Note — $244,000.00
- General Obligation Bond — $3,091,388.00
The packet states that the request would not increase the district's tax millage. The current total cited in the packet is 61.54 mills, consisting of 54.39 mills for district maintenance, 0.65 mills for the three-mill note, and 6.5 mills for the bond.
Instruction and Student Programs
Early Literacy Professional Development — $16,800.00
Staff recommends purchasing $16,800.00 in Houghton Mifflin Harcourt professional development for kindergarten and first-grade teachers, funded through federal programs. The training is designed around the district's existing HMH Into Reading curriculum and structured-literacy practices.
The packet compares the proposal with a $5,356 alternative from AIM Institute for Learning. Although AIM is less expensive, staff says the HMH option is better aligned with the specific instructional materials already used in district classrooms.
Gifted Assessment Materials — $10,249.00
Special Education recommends purchasing gifted-screening materials from Pearson for $10,249.00 for 2026-2027. The proposal consists of a $4,392.00 RAVEN 2 digital license and $5,857.00 in OLSAT and NNAT3 screening materials.
Career Programs and Regional Partnerships
The board is scheduled to consider an agreement allowing Pass Christian Public Schools students to participate in programs at the Gaston Point College and Career Readiness Institute. The packet describes potential access to programs including the Shipbuilding Academy, Energy Academy, Water Academy, and other career-readiness opportunities, with provisions addressing costs, administration, scheduling, and responsibilities between the districts.
A separate proposal would extend the H2O Innovation and Harrison County Utility Authority Water Academy partnership through the 2026-2027 school year. The principal proposed change is lowering the minimum student age from 18 to 17 by May 1 of the program year, expanding eligibility while continuing the program's water-treatment, environmental-safety, and workforce training.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
Child Nutrition requests authorization to apply for the federally funded Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for 28th Street Elementary School in 2026-2027. The packet says the program would provide fresh fruits and vegetables during the school day at no cost to the district.
The state application deadline listed in the packet is August 18, 2026, at 3:30 PM.
Facilities, Operations, and Athletics
HVAC Projects
Two operations expenditures are scheduled for consideration:
- Northeast Custodial Warehouse HVAC replacement — $9,322.10 from Coburn's, compared with a $9,697.39 quote from Johnstone Supply.
- Districtwide cooling-tower chemical treatment — $40,215.00 from Southwest Engineers, compared with a $57,793.82 proposal from Guardian IPCO.
The cooling-tower program is intended to control corrosion, scale, fouling, and microbiological growth while supporting equipment life and energy efficiency.
Athletics Equipment and Technology
The consent agenda includes several athletics-related purchases and renewals:
- Football practice equipment from BSN Sports — $7,979.00
- Ultimate Drill Book license for the Gulfport High School Admiral Band — $6,020.00
- Hudl/Agile Sports Technologies service agreement — $15,000.00, covering August 4, 2026, through August 3, 2027, with upgraded storage and an additional end-zone camera
- Catapult equipment and subscription renewal — $53,249.90 for a 30-month term from August 20, 2026, through February 19, 2029
Auto Mechanics Instructional Vehicle
The superintendent recommends purchasing a 2006 Volkswagen Beetle and associated repair and diagnostic parts for $3,566.39. The vehicle is proposed as a hands-on instructional asset for the Gulfport High School Auto Mechanics Career Pathway, including work on diagnostics, brakes, electrical systems, and preventive maintenance.
Policy and Governance Items
Policies IHAA and IHF
The superintendent recommends revisions to two district policies:
- IHAA — Policy Statement on Grading for Students with Disabilities
- IHF — Graduation Requirements
The packet describes the revisions as part of the district's continuing policy review and alignment with updated Mississippi Department of Education guidance. The draft IHAA policy addresses accommodations, modifications, grading, IEP-based instruction, Carnegie units, and appeals, while the IHF draft addresses district and state graduation requirements, assessments, diploma pathways, and requirements for students with disabilities.
Destruction of Special Education and Gifted Records
Special Education recommends authorization to destroy records for former students who reached their 26th birthday on or before August 1, 2026. The packet says the district would first provide public notice and an opportunity for eligible former students or parents to request copies before records are securely destroyed.
Other Agreements and Renewals
The consent agenda includes several additional proposed agreements and recurring services:
- Central Access/Marathon accounting and time-and-attendance software — $44,840.00 for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027
- SherpaDesk help-desk software — $5,670.55, supported by Technology Support Services and Operations funds
- Bayou View Elementary ice-machine lease — $160 per month for 36 months, or $5,760.00 total, using Child Nutrition funds
- Agreement with Pass Christian Public Schools for Gaston Point programming
- Extension and amendment of the H2O Innovation/Harrison County Utility Authority Water Academy agreement
- School resource officer agreement with the City of Gulfport
- Student transfers and releases for 2026-2027
- Student travel for the Gulfport High School robotics team to compete in Denham Springs, Louisiana, on September 19, 2026
Personnel Items
The personnel consent agenda includes general personnel recommendations, resignations and retirements, updated academic/athletic/fine arts/special education supplements, and supplemental coaching contracts.
Specific recommendations include approval of a Weightlifting Coordinator job description and appointment, appointment of an Energy Academy Instructor at Gaston Point College and Career Readiness Institute beginning August 10, 2026, and hiring for a Gulfport High School Guidance Administrative Assistant position.
June 2026 Financial Position
The June financial report shows year-to-date revenue of $63,320,608 and year-to-date expenditures of $58,077,685 in the District Maintenance Fund, producing a reported $5,242,923 positive balance of revenue over expenditures before year-end adjustments.
The packet notes an anticipated year-end transfer of approximately $3 million to capital improvements for the ongoing roof improvement plan. It also reports that state revenue was down $1,329,878, local revenue was up $557,635, and the fund balance before the planned $3 million transfer was $22,902,185.
FY2025 Audit
The packet includes a Mississippi Department of Education letter stating that MDE's review of the district's Fiscal Year 2025 Single Audit Report identified no audit findings related to programs administered by MDE. The letter says the audit is being closed out and no further action is required from the district.
The superintendent's report also includes planned 2026-2027 fundraisers for district schools and recognition connected to the 2026 Governor's Award for Exemplary Partnerships received by the Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, recognizing Gulfport School District as a community partner.
What to Watch at the Meeting
The largest proposed expenditures and commitments include the $583,041.73 maximum annual school-resource-officer agreement, $314,808 Chromebook purchase, $62,697.50 ACT assessment package, and the FY27 ad valorem request. Safety is also a significant theme, with the weapons-detection purchase, SRO agreement, and updated district crisis and emergency plan all appearing on the agenda.
Most substantive proposals are listed on the action-consent agenda, meaning they may be acted on together unless a board member requests that an item be removed for separate consideration. The packet presents these matters as recommendations or proposed actions; final board action will occur at the meeting.
