Pursuant to KRS 65.944(1)(b) and 702 KAR 3:340, school districts must receive approval from Kentucky's education commissioner before entering into leases that exceed $100,000.
On average the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) annually receives close to 30 leases of more than $100,000 that must be approved. Close to 50% of these leases will be fiber lines that districts use to connect their schools to KDE's internet hub. About 25% will be leases for copiers/printers and 22% will be a financial payment plan to immediately obtain computers and pay for them over a period of years. The remaining 3% is mainly for phone systems or property/land/buildings.
Districts should submit leases that exceed $100,000 to leasesover100K@education.ky.gov along with a completed Local Board Attorney Certification form which is incorporated by reference in 702 KAR 3:340.
The district will need to work directly with the vendor regarding any changes or additional documentation as needed or identified during the KDE evaluation process. The official approval e-mail to your district will come from KDE's Commissioner's Office.
Office of Education Technology
Division of School Technology Planning and Project Management
300 Sower Blvd., 4th Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-2020
Fax (502) 564-1519