Agenda Item
a. Approval to Purchase Furniture, Equipment, and Supplies for 102 (Pre-Kindergarten-4) Classes through TIPS Cooperative Agreements with Becker’s School Supplies, Kaplan Early Learning Company, Lakeshore Learning Materials LLC, and Really Good Stuff LLC, and OMNIA Partners Agreement with School Specialty Using Bright From The Start (BFTS) Pre-K4 Grant Classroom Refurbishment Funds (Not to Exceed $1,530,000) No Financial Impact to the District’s General Operating Budget
Summary: Presented by: Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education authorize the District to purchase furniture, equipment, and supplies for (102) Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K-4) classrooms that existed prior to 2010 from the following vendors in accordance with The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) and OMNIA Partners in an amount not to exceed $1,530,000.
Becker’s School Supplies (TIPS Contract Number 250802 through October 31, 2030)
Kaplan Early Learning Company (TIPS Contract Number 230301 through May 31, 2028 and Contract Number 250802 through October 31, 2030)
Lakeshore Learning Materials LLC (TIPS Contract Number 230301 through May 31, 2028 and Contract Number 240804 through October 31, 2029)
Really Good Stuff LLC (TIPS Contract Number 240804 through October 31, 2029 and Contract Number 220303 through May 31, 2027)
School Specialty (OMNIA Partners Contract Number R230305)
Why: The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (GA DECAL) Bright From The Start (BFTS) allocated/awarded refurbishment funds to the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) to retrofit (102) grant-funded classrooms that existed prior to 2010. The school district must purchase furniture, equipment, and supplies for the Pre-K classrooms by the June 30, 2026 deadline. Each classroom will be allocated $15,000.
Details: The DeKalb County School District, as a local educational agency (LEA) receiving Bright From the Start - (Pre-K4) Grant funds for classroom refurbishment, has an obligation to continue to enhance the instructional setting for our young scholars. Services from the listed vendors will support the refurbishment process for (102) classrooms throughout the school district with the ordering of new furniture, equipment, and supplies upon Board approval through June 30, 2026.
Financial impact: The financial impact to the Bright From the Start (BFTS) Pre-K4 Grant Classroom Refurbishment Funds will not exceed the amount of $1,530,000 by June 30, 2026. There is no financial impact to the school district’s General Operating Budget.
Each class budget allocation is as follows:
Total Number of ES
Total Number of Classes
Budget Allocation
76
102
$15,000
Total Budget Amount
$1,530,000
Department of Early Learning and Pre-K4 Programs Charge Codes:
560.1000.561500.17822.7481.1540.8010.094.2026- Expendable equipment
560.1000.561000.17822.7481.1540.8010.094.2026- Supplies
560.1000.561100.17822.7481.1540.8010.094.2026- Supplies technology
560.1000.561600.17822.7481.1540.8010.094.2026- Expendable computer equipment
560.1000.564200.17822.7481.1540.8010.094.2026- Books other than textbook
Contact: Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services, 678-676-1809
Dr. Zack Phillips, Executive Director of Early Learning and Pre-K Programs, Division of Student Services, 678-676-2048
Effective: December 9, 2025 - June 30, 2026
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
The Interlocal Purchasing System
Purchasing Made Personal
Printed 22 October 2025
www.kaplanco.com
Kaplan Early Learning Company
EMAIL PO & VENDOR QUOTE TO: TIPSPO@TIPS-USA.COM
PO MUST REFERENCE VENDOR TIPS CONTRACT NUMBER
PAYMENT TO TIPS CONTACT
ADDRESS 1310 Lewisville-Clemmons Rd NAME Charlie Martin
CITY Lewisville PHONE (866) 839-8477
STATE NC FAX (866) 839-8472
ZIP 27023 EMAIL tips@tips-usa.com
DISADVANTAGED/MINORITY/WOMAN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE: N HUB: N
SERVING STATES
AL | AK | AZ | AR | CA | CO | CT | DE | DC | FL | GA | HI | ID | IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | LA | ME | MD | MA | MI | MN | MS | MO | MT |
NE | NV | NH | NJ | NM | NY | NC | ND | OH | OK | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN | TX | UT | VT | VI | VA | WA | WI | WY | PR
Overview
Kaplan Early Learning Company had its beginning in 1951 when Leon Kaplan opened a toy store in downtown
Greensboro, North Carolina, for the holiday buying season. Mr. Kaplan’s interest in educational books and toys led
him to form the School Supply Division (known today as Kaplan Early Learning Company) in 1968. The School Supply
division distributed early childhood educational materials and unique toys, showing the learning experience children
can get from each one. Kaplan Early Learning Company sells products to school systems, childcare centers, and
federal groups such as military child development centers and recreational programs, special needs programs and to
private companies as well as the general public. Kaplan Early Learning Company has become a major distributor of
early childhood educational materials in the United States. Kaplan Early Learning Company creates several catalogs
each year along with sales brochures and pamphlets published periodically throughout the year. Kaplan continually
strives to enhance the quality of early childhood products by offering educators outstanding materials and training.
Today, Kaplan Early Learning Company is a leader in the distribution of educational materials. Kaplan currently has
over 40 educational sales consultants located throughout the United States assisting customers with their educational
material requirements and classroom setups. Kaplan Early Learning Company is a major supplier for Head Start (a
federal program that provides disadvantaged infants and preschoolers with educational, health, nutritional, and social
services). Kaplan Early Learning Company has been a family-oriented business from the very beginning. The
founders, Leon and Renee Kaplan and their five children have all been involved with the business. Their son Howard
Kaplan joined the company in 1969 and is now Chief Executive Officer. The Forsyth Family Focus awarded Kaplan
Early Learning Company with their Family-Smart Workplace Award in April 2000. This award recognizes local
companies for their work in helping employees balance work and family life. Kaplan Early Learning Company’s
philosophy is simple; “We will be the premier resource and service provider in the childhood development arena,
focusing on educational environments, innovative products, information and services directed toward learning
readiness”. Our success lies in our strong business reputation for quality products, excellent customer service, and our
role as a resource for all current and potential customers. Thanks to the dedication, loyalty, and hard work of Kaplan
employees, the company has tripled in size since 1980. Kaplan Early Learning Company will continue to grow and
prosper through the continued efforts of our employees working as a customer-focused team.
AWARDED CONTRACTS "View EDGAR Doc" on Website
Contract Comodity Exp Date EDGAR
230105 Technology Solutions Products and Services 05/31/2028 See EDGAR Certification Doc.
230301 Furniture, Furnishings, and Services 05/31/2028 See EDGAR Certification Doc.
230805 Science Equipment and Supplies 10/31/2026 See EDGAR Certification Doc.
230904 Books, Library, and Educational Materials 11/30/2026 See EDGAR Certification Doc.
240402 Office and School Supplies, Products, and Services 06/30/2027 See EDGAR Certification Doc.
24070201 Playground Equipment and Installation Services 09/30/2027 See EDGAR Certification Doc.
24070202 Playground Equipment and Installation Services (JOC) 09/30/2026 See EDGAR Certification Doc.
250802 Academic and Educational Goods and Services 10/31/2030 See EDGAR Certification Doc.
CONTACTS BY CONTRACTS
230105
Elizabeth Patterson Associate Director of (800) 334-2014 bids@kaplanco.com
Tina Stanbery Senior Bid Agent (800) 334-2014 bids@kaplanco.com
230301
Tina Stanbery Senior Bid Agent (800) 334-2014 bids@kaplanco.com
Shawna Tiner Territory Manager (800) 334-2014 stiner@kaplanco.com
230805
Tina Stanbery Senior Bid Agent (800) 334-2014 bids@kaplanco.com
Shawna Tiner Territory Manager (800) 334-2014 stiner@kaplanco.com
230904
Tina Stanbery Senior Bid Agent (800) 334-2014 bids@kaplanco.com
Shawna Tiner Territory Manager (800) 334-2014 stiner@kaplanco.com
240402
Tina Stanbery Senior Bid Agent (800) 334-2014 bids@kaplanco.com
Shawna Tiner Territory Manager (800) 334-2014 stiner@kaplanco.com
250802
Tina Stanbery Bid Agent (800) 334-2014 bids@kaplanco.com
Shawna Tiner Manager (800) 334-2014 stiner@kaplanco.com
24070201
Ken Anderson Director - Playground (336) 712-3477 bids@kaplanco.com
Elizabeth Patterson Director of Bids & (800) 334-2014 epatterson@kaplanco.com
24070202
Ken Anderson Director - Playground (336) 712-3477 bids@kaplanco.com
Elizabeth Patterson Director of Bids & (800) 334-2014 epatterson@kaplanco.com