After much discussion, the Clark County Board of Education chose Nike to supply sports, athletic equipment, uniforms and recreational equipment Tuesday during its regular meeting.

The board voted 4-0-1 — board member Ashley Ritchie abstained — to approve a districtwide agreement with BSN Sports, which supplies Nike products.

The board discussed two possible proposals, one from BSN Sports and the other from Bumblebee.

Superintendent Paul Christy recommended Bumblebee (also referred to as Adidas) after discussions with coaches, athletic directors and principals.

“I spoke to the 12 sports, I got a hold of 11 coaches, spoke to everyone individually,” Christy said. “… Eight said Adidas. Two said I have absolutely no preference. And one said Nike.”

Christy also expressed his frustration with the vendor proposal process, saying he’s giving too much thought and attention to such a trivial item on the agenda.

“The more I’ve dealt with it, the more subjective it’s become, and the more it’s become about the adults and not about the kids,” Christy said. “It reminded me of something I’m here for and what I said I was going to do, and I think it’s time I get back to that, and make it about that kids and not the adults. We’re in a $70 million budget in this district, and I know both of these we are going to be talking to … I respect all of them. I respect the work they’re doing. And I thank them for what they do for kids in all of the districts across the state, but it’s not like we’re talking about buildings or things… With a $70 million budget, the savings we are going to generate after buying some equipment, I’m going to be honest with you, it’s a drop in the bucket with what we do with a $70 million budget…”

George Rogers Clark High School Principal David Bolen also expressed his frustration.

“We’re sitting here talking about athletics,” Bolen told the board. “And in my nine years, I’ve prided myself on one thing. I think most people that know me know that I’ve prided myself with trying to make sure academics is number one… I resent the fact that I’ve had to sit here… for the past six weeks of my life, back and forth about whether it’s BSN versus Bumblebee. I could care less at this point. I’ve had a great relationship with Bumblebee… You got to make a decision. We are three weeks from the start of football season… This should’ve been done a month ago. Nobody’s given a first consideration to furniture of the field house. Nobody’s given consideration to concessions, let alone training facilities… There’s decisions that need to be made moving forward, and that’s on you all.”

Bumblebee and Clark County Public Schools previously had an agreement, which will now end with the approval of a new agreement.

Board member Scott Hisle made a motion to table the item, with a condition that CCPS Director of Finance Aleisha Ellis have a chance to look over the proposals to determine a cost analysis, as Hisle said ultimately, it’s a financial decision. The motion failed for a lack of a second.

Board members asked both companies several questions throughout the two and a half hour board meeting.

Board member Bill Taulbee said he spent many hours trying to do a financial comparison between the two proposals when he received them last weekend. While he said change can be a pain, after doing the comparison, BSN Sports seemed to be the better option financially.

The BSN Sports proposal featured value additions such as a $20,000-value Believe in You tour, which challenges every student to attend a school event they may not have gone to before; and a championship incentive which allots $1,000 or $500 of promotional product to head coaches, depending on the sport.

Both companies offered discounts on their products as part of the agreement.

BSN Sports offered 35 percent off retail price on Nike Team apparel and stock uniforms, 15 percent off catalog price of BSN products and 10 percent off catalog price on BSN catalog branded products.

The rebate package for Bumblebee includes $10,000 in signing bonuses; $18,500 in Adidas retail annual promotional allotment; 40 percent off stock and custom apparel; 35 percent off footwear and accessories; $2,000 Adidas retail state championship bonus; and a limited number of free jerseys and shorts valued at about $7,400.

BSN also has a loyalty incentive of 2 percent product rebate which accrues until the end of the five-year agreement. However, CCPS  can cancel the agreement in writing on or before May 31 of any year in the agreement.

The board also approved the first reading of several policy and procedure updates, many of which changed due to about 18 newly minted laws that impact Kentucky’s public schools in some way. The board approved all policy and procedure changes for the first reading unanimously and will vote on the second reading in July.

Legislation that changed some board policies and procedures include:

— House Bill 227 allowed per diem for local school board members is increased from $75 to $150 and the total maximum allowed is increased from $3,000 to $6,000. Board members can still forgo the per diems or donate them to the district or another charity.

— HB 22 changes a local school board vacancy from being filled by the commissioner of education, to being appointed by a majority vote of the remaining members of the board. If the board does not appoint within 60 days, the commissioner will appoint. The board must advertise the vacancy on its website and in the local newspaper.

— Senate Bill 1 sets a framework by which to harden Kentucky’s school buildings and soften its schools. There will be a new statewide school safety marshal and training for school safety coordinators in districts. The bill sets the goal of a school resource officer in every school along with increased supports for student mental health. It requires teachers to undergo suicide prevention and active shooter training. The bill also includes requirements that schools have secure entrances, classroom door locks and other security improvements by July 2022.

— SB 15 bill limits Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN) checks checks to new certified or classified hires, non-faculty coaches or assistant coaches, student teachers, school-based decision making council parent members and adults permitted access to school grounds on a regularly scheduled, continuing basis while interacting with students.

— HB 11 prohibits the use of tobacco products, alternative tobacco products and vapor products on school property, in school vehicles and during school activities. Local boards must have policies in place by the 2020-21 school year including proper signage. Enforcement is left up to local boards to allow flexibility.

— HB 46 requires schools to post the national motto “In God We Trust” in a prominent place inside the school.

For a complete list of policy and procedure updates as well as the full details of the BSN Sports and Bumblebee proposals, visit http://www2.clark.kyschools.us/Home/index.php/district-links/board-of-education.

In other action, the board:

— approved student fees for 2019-20 school year

— approved Bluegrass Comprehensive Care Memorandum of Agreement

— approved Mountain Comprehensive Care Memorandum of Agreement

— approved National Youth Advocate Program Memorandum of Agreement

— approved the Purchase of New Library Furniture for Baker Intermediate School in an amount not to exceed $90,000.

— approved pay application #18 to Codell Construction, contractors and suppliers for the George Rogers Clark High School gymnasium and athletic fields project (BG 16-238) in the total amount of $943,258.94

— approved pay application #4 to Codell Construction, contractors and suppliers for the GRC field house and athletic fields project (BG 18- 334) in the amount of $346,581.17

— approved pay application #1514-30 to RossTarrant Architects, for the GRC gymnasium and athletic fields project (BG 16-238) in the amount of $9,319.85

— approved pay application #1829-09 to RossTarrant Architects, for the GRC field house and athletic fields project (BG 18-334) in the amount of $4,497.64

— approved change order #19-13 to Rising Sun Developing for the GRC gymnasium and athletic fields project (BG 16-238) in the amount of $8,000

— approved 3x Logic NVR Upgrade and IP Video Revision to Robert D. Campbell Junior High and Strode Station Elementary Schools, in the amount of $43,044

— approved purchase new “turf field” equipment/supplies for the football and boys/girls soccer teams in an amount not to exceed $75,000

— approved amending coaching stipend pay schedule

— approved board members and superintendent to attend the KSBA Summer Leadership Institute July 12-13 at the Marriott Griffin Gate Resort in Lexington