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Guilford County Schools (GCS) began using Connect-ED services provided by Blackboard Connect Inc. (formerly known as Notification Technologies and The NTI Group, Inc.) in 2004. GCS utilizes Connect-ED services to record, schedule, send and track personalized voice messages to parents and/or employees. The Connect-ED service offers a bundled set of emergency communication, survey, and community outreach notification tools designed to help schools improve awareness, increase involvement, and audit communication on a regular basis. The Connect-ED service requires no hardware; no software; no additional phone lines. Messages can be sent to all defined recipients or to targeted subgroups.
Connect-ED services have assisted us in improving communications between schools and parents. We have been able to provide accurate and timely information during crisis situations; when anticipating or experiencing inclement weather or when providing details of upcoming events (i.e., End-of-Course/End-of-Grade testing, reports being sent home). Connect-ED communication services were used extensively during the tragic Eastern Guilford High School fire saga.
In 2007-08, we operated under two six-month contracts, the second of which expired June 30, 2008; however, Blackboard Connect has extended the 2007-08 contract through July 24, 2008. The service period or term is a three-year contract, July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011, with the option to terminate on the annual anniversary of the effective date (July 1, 2009 for Period 2 and July 1, 2010 for Period 3) by providing 30-days prior written notice to terminate.
The $3 per student message fee is a fixed annual fee for unlimited use. The negotiated $3 message fee per student has not increased since the district began using Connect-ED services in 2004. The annual message fee is paid from our telecommunication budget. Blackboard Connect has waived the annual support fee of $12,200; therefore, the cost of the contract for the 2008-09 fiscal year is $217,410 ($3 x 72,470 students), which is an increase of $6,132 [(72,470 - 70,426) x $3]. The cost of the contract for fiscal years 2009-10 and 2010-11 will be calculated by multiplying the projected student enrollment for each respective fiscal year by the $3 per student message fee.
RECOMMENDATION: The administration recommends approval of the contract with Blackboard Connect Inc. for Connect-ED services in the amount of $217,470 for the period of July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009 with the option of renewing for two additional years as outlined above.
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