$202,300 for Promethean Bulbs

It's that time of year again! It's October and time to change the bulb in the Promethean Board projectors. 


But wasn't it just 6 months ago that MCPS got in an order of $36,000 worth of Promethean projector bulbs from Clinton Learning Solutions? 


Yes it was! And now 6 months later MCPS apparently needs another $202,300 worth of Promethean projector bulbs. 


This time MCPS claims to have received 12 bids on this contract. Clinton Learning Solutions got the contract again. We don't know what Clinton Learning Solutions charges MCPS per projector bulb.  


Replacement bulb prices range from $296 to $550. MCPS will need to replace all 3,300+ bulbs in the next year or two based on the average life of a projector bulb. That's over $1 million in bulb purchases that will need to be funded. 


It is unknown how many total Promethean Boards exist in MCPS today. Last the public knew there were over 3,300 Boards. Payment information only exists on the 2,600 Promethean Boards, the others arrived in MCPS without public disclosure.


How many Promethean projector bulbs will the Board of Education be buying for $202,300?


683? 367? Take your best guess. The Board of Education has this on their Consent Agenda for Tuesday, October 13, 2010 and won't be discussing the details.