The Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) is seeking public comment on a proposed update to its Guidelines for School Equipment Purchases, which is cited in regulation 4 AAC 31.020(a)(4) and establishes department criteria to apply to school construction projects funded under AS 14.11. This new draft edition is a minor update to the publication, which was last updated in 2016. Key revisions/additions to the publication include:

• Altered a ‘focus area’ from maintenance to shared staff program areas.
• Initiating a single item purchase limit for maintenance equipment.
• Clarifying the expectations that existing equipment should be factored in for reuse.
• Increased per-student allocations.

The draft publication, in a “tracked changes” format, is an attachment to this notice; if you would prefer a version with changes accepted, please contact Lori.Weed@alaska.gov. The current 2016 edition is available online (pdf). 

If you are interested in commenting on the attached draft you may comment through this public notice or e-mail your comments to Tim.Mearig@alaska.gov no later than noon (12:00 p.m.) on October 19, 2021. 

Additional opportunity for public comment will be available as part of a future 4 AAC 31.020 regulation update process.