August 10, 2026 at 4:30 PM - HR / Business Services Committee

The Duluth Public Schools HR / Business Services Committee met on August 10, 2026, to discuss various departmental updates and procurement-related matters. Key procurement topics included the approval of expenditure contracts such as a $30,000+ contract for non-public nursing services reimbursed by the Minnesota Department of Education, and contracts for telehealth Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) interpreting services with Soliant and Blazer Works, providing approximately 40 hours per week at $105 per hour. The committee also reviewed bids and quotes, notably for referendum strategy services, where the selected vendor offered a more comprehensive package despite a higher bid. Additionally, the meeting covered capital improvement projects including district-wide fencing and maintenance, and the near completion of the Duluth Central Educational Services building, which is on time and on budget. The committee discussed ongoing technology upgrades, including a firewall replacement and plans to create a new educational technology position funded through vacant FTE. The meeting also addressed lead remediation in school water systems and ADA compliance audits. Finally, grant applications and change orders for construction projects were reviewed, with assurances that projects remain within contingency budgets. No votes were explicitly recorded in the transcript, but several contract approvals and budgetary updates were discussed.